🧵 The Five Fabric Types
According to the official Steam store page, Dressmaker features a "wide range of fabrics, including cotton, linen, wool, silk and velvet." These five main fabric types form the foundation of your dressmaking materials.
⚠️ Important Note
The game is currently in prototype stage. While these five fabric types are confirmed, specific details like prices, unlock conditions, and exact inventory sizes are not publicly documented by the developers and may change in the full release.
About Fabric Variety
Each fabric type comes in multiple colors and patterns. According to community feedback, fabric colors are included in their names as an accessibility feature, making it easier to identify materials while shopping.
The exact number of fabric variations available in the prototype is not specified by the developers. Players can expect a selection that allows for creative expression while working within the constraints of the prototype's scope.
📖 Real-World Fabric Characteristics (For Context)
ℹ️ Informational Reference Only
The information below describes general real-world characteristics of these fabric types. These are not confirmed in-game attributes but may help you understand why certain fabrics might suit certain dress styles. In-game properties may differ from real-world expectations.
🌿 Cotton
General Characteristics: Breathable, comfortable, easy to care for. Widely used for everyday wear.
Typical Uses (Real World): Casual dresses, workwear, summer clothing, daywear
Common Styles: Relaxed, practical, approachable
🌾 Linen
General Characteristics: Lightweight, breathable, natural texture. Known for a relaxed, slightly rumpled appearance.
Typical Uses (Real World): Summer dresses, casual elegant wear, vacation clothing
Common Styles: Relaxed elegance, natural, effortless
🐑 Wool
General Characteristics: Warm, structured, holds shape well. Provides good insulation.
Typical Uses (Real World): Professional wear, winter dresses, tailored garments
Common Styles: Professional, structured, sophisticated
✨ Silk
General Characteristics: Luxurious, smooth, natural sheen. Drapes beautifully and feels elegant.
Typical Uses (Real World): Formal dresses, evening wear, special occasion garments
Common Styles: Elegant, luxurious, refined, romantic
🎭 Velvet
General Characteristics: Rich texture, deep color saturation, dramatic appearance. Associated with luxury and formality.
Typical Uses (Real World): Evening gowns, opera attire, winter formal wear, dramatic designs
Common Styles: Glamorous, dramatic, formal, opulent
💡 Fabric Selection Strategy
Step-by-Step Selection Process
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1. Read Customer Request Carefully
Note the occasion (work, ball, garden party) and any style descriptors ("elegant," "cute," "professional")
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2. Check Budget Constraints
Each customer has a fixed budget. Remember this when shopping.
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3. Design First, Shop Second
Create your dress pattern in the sketchbook before visiting the fabric shop
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4. Use the Tag Preview System
Drag fabric samples into your sketchbook to see tags before committing to a purchase
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5. Match Tags to Request
Choose fabrics whose tags align with customer preferences
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6. Consider Fabric Combinations
You can use different fabrics for bodice, skirt, and sleeves to combine multiple tag effects
Budget Management Tips
- The game does not show a universal total fabric requirement upfront, so plan fabric groups before shopping. See the Fabric Budget Guide for a safer buying workflow.
- Consider mixing fabrics: use one material for the most visible piece, a simpler one for others
- Efficient pattern placement during cutting saves material (and money)
- There's no undo system – plan carefully to avoid overspending
Community-Requested Features
Players have frequently requested the following features related to fabric selection:
- Sort/filter fabrics by tags – Currently not available; you must manually check each fabric
- Fabric swatch preview – Being able to see all fabrics at once in a color palette view
- In-shop tag display – Seeing tags directly in the shop without dragging into sketchbook
Note: The developers actively read community feedback. These features may be added in future updates or the full Steam release.
⚠️ Common Fabric-Related Issues
Can't Find Fabrics with Specific Tags
Problem: You need a "cute" fabric but can't identify which ones have that tag.
Solution: Remember that tags come from fabric + pattern combination. Try dragging different fabric samples into your already-designed dress in the sketchbook. The same fabric might produce different tags with different dress patterns.
Forgot to Check Tags Before Buying
Problem: You purchased fabric without checking tags and now it doesn't match the customer request.
Solution: In the prototype, there's no undo for purchases. You may need to restart the dress (or entire game session). Always check tags in sketchbook before buying.
Ran Out of Budget Mid-Project
Problem: You overspent on fabric and can't afford accessories or additional materials.
Solution: Plan your budget before shopping. Draft the dress first, group pattern pieces by fabric, and keep a reserve for extra pieces or corrections. See the Fabric Budget Guide for the full checklist.
Tags Don't Seem to Match Customer Preferences
Problem: You matched the tags but the customer still isn't satisfied.
Possible causes:
- Quality score may be low due to grain line misalignment or poor sewing
- Budget may have been exceeded
- Some customers may have specific unstated preferences
See our Sewing Mastery Guide for quality tips.
📝 Version Notes & Future Changes
This Guide is Based On:
- Version: Prototype 0.5.5 (released October 3, 2025)
- Platform: itch.io free prototype
- Sources: Official Steam page, itch.io developer devlogs, community feedback
- Status: Feature-complete prototype; full Steam version in development
What May Change in Full Release
Based on community feedback and the prototype's current state, possible changes in the full Steam version include:
- Additional fabric types beyond the current five
- Expanded fabric inventory with more colors and patterns
- In-shop tag filtering or sorting system
- More detailed fabric properties and characteristics
- Pricing adjustments and unlock progression system
- Clearer documentation of which fabrics produce which tags
🚀 Full Game Development
The developers announced in November 2025 they're "putting our heads down" to work on the full version. Wishlist on Steam to get notified when it releases with expanded fabric options!
📚 Related Guides
Learn which customers prefer which style tags
Estimate fabric needs, preserve budget, and avoid wrong purchases
Match bodice, sleeve, skirt, and collar pieces to your planned fabrics
Complete beginner's guide to the full gameplay loop