Vegan Fabrics / Materials

When one becomes vegan, for most of us it extends far beyond what we put in our mouths. The clothes we wear also come into the picture. There are a number of materials or fabrics made from animal hair, bone and skin. However, it is not difficult to find vegan clothing and fabrics in just about any store that sells these products. Lets take a look at some vegan friendly and non vegan fabrics.

Vegan Materials

These are materials made from plant-based sources, synthetic fibre or a combination of both.

Material	Description
Acrylic	synthetic fabric
Aertex	trademark brand for a loosely woven cotton fabric
Bamboo	cloth yarn and clothing made out of bamboo fibres. Modern bamboo clothing is clothing made from either 100% bamboo yarn or a blend of bamboo and cotton yarn
Batiste	lightweight semi-sheer cotton fabric; used for heirloom sewing lingerie and blouses
Broadcloth	dense plain woven cloth historically made of wool. Modern broadcloth is cotton or a cotton blend
Buckram	stiff cloth made of cotton or linen used in bookbinding and to stiffen clothing
Calico	plain-woven textile made from unbleached and often not fully processed cotton
Cambric	finely woven white linen
Canvas	extremely durable plain-woven fabric (used for clothing chairs sails or tents)
Chambray or Cambric	linen-finished (flax) gingham cloth with a white weft and a coloured warp used for linens shirting handkerchiefs and as fabric for lace and needlework
Chenille	heavy fabric woven with chenille cord; used in rugs and bedspreads commonly manufactured from cotton but can also be made using acrylic rayon and olefin
Chino	twill fabric originally made of 100% cotton and cotton-synthetic blends
Chintz	brightly printed and glazed cotton fabric
Cork	material that is made from the soft bark of a kind of oak tree
Cord/Corduroy	textile composed of twisted fibres that when woven form the cloth’s distinct pattern a “cord”; usually made of cotton
Cotton	soft white fibrous substance that surrounds the seeds of a tropical and subtropical plant and is used as textile fibre and thread for sewing
Cotton flannel/Canton flannel	stout cotton fabric with nap on only one side
Cretonne	heavy cotton fabric typically with a floral pattern printed on one or both sides used for upholstery.
Denim/ Dungaree /Jean	coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
Dimity	hard-wearing sheer cotton fabric woven with raised stripes or checks
Duck	heavy plain woven cotton fabric; used for clothing and tents
Elastane	synthetic fibre known for its exceptional elasticity. It is a polyester-polyurethane copolymer that is stronger and more durable than natural rubber
Elastic	flexible stretchable fabric made with interwoven strands of rubber or an imitative synthetic fibre
Etamine/Etamin	light cotton or worsted fabric with an open mesh; used for curtains or clothing etc.
Flannelette	light cotton fabric imitating flannel
Fustian	strong cotton and linen fabric with a short nap usually dyed in dark colours
Gingham	lightweight plain-woven cotton cloth typically checked in white and a bold colour
Hemp	tough coarse fibre of the cannabis plant used to make cordage yarn and fabric
Khaki	sturdy twilled cloth of a yellowish brown colour. used especially for military uniforms usually made from cotton and linen
Lame	fabric interwoven with threads of metal
Leatherette (imitation leather)	Imitation leather made from paper cloth etc
Linen	textile made from the fibres of the flax plant Linum usitatissimum; is very absorbent and garments made of linen are valued for their exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather
Lint	cotton or linen fabric with the nap raised on one side; used to dress wounds
Mackintosh/Macintosh	lightweight waterproof (usually rubberised) fabric
Madras	lightweight cotton fabric with typically patterned texture and plaid design used primarily for summer clothing such as pants shorts dresses and jackets
Marseille	strong cotton fabric with a raised pattern; used for bedspreads
Microfibre	very fine synthetic yarn
Modal	type of rayon a semi-synthetic cellulose fibre made by spinning reconstituted cellulose in this case often from beech trees. Modal is used alone or with other fibres (often cotton or spandex) in household items
Moleskin	durable cotton fabric with a velvety nap
Monk’s cloth	heavy cloth in basket weave made from cotton
Moquette	thick velvety synthetic fabric used for carpets and soft upholstery
Muslin	cotton fabric of plain weave
Nankeen	yellowish cotton cloth
Nylon	synthetic fabric
Oilcloth	cloth treated on one side with a drying oil or synthetic resin
Olefin	synthetic fibreade from a polyolefin, such as polypropylene or polyethylene. It is used in wallpaper, carpeting, ropes, and vehicle interiors
Organdie/Organdy	sheer stiff muslin
Orlon	brand of synthetic acrylic textile fibre of lightweight wrinkle resistance and resistance to weathering and many chemicals
Percale	fine closely woven cotton fabric; typically used for bed covers
PET/PETE	common thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family used in fibres for clothing containers for liquids and foods and manufacturing
Pilot cloth	heavy twilled woollen overcoating with a thick nap used especially for seamen’s blue uniforms
Pique	weaving style normally used with cotton yarn which is characterized by raised parallel cords or fine ribbing
Polar fleece/ Polar wool/Vega wool	soft napped insulating fabric made from a type of polyester called polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or other synthetic fibres
Polyester	large class of synthetic fabrics
Poplin	plain-woven fabric typically a lightweight cotton with a corded surface
Prima Loft	brand of patented synthetic microfibre thermal insulation material developed for the United States Army in the 1980s
Rayon	synthetic fibre made from purified cellulose primarily from chemically treated wood pulp
Sailcloth	anyof various fabrics as of cotton nylon or Dacron for boat sails or tents.
Sateen	cotton fabric with a satiny finish
Screening	fabric of metal or plastic mesh
Scrim	woven material one a finely woven lightweight fabric widely used in theatre the other a heavy coarse woven material used for reinforcement in both building and canvas making
Seersucker	light fabric of linen cotton or rayon usually striped and slightly puckered used to make clothing for spring and summer wear
Silesie	sturdy twill-weave cotton fabric; used for pockets and linings
Spandex	synthetic fibre or fabric made from a polymer containing polyurethane used in the manufacture of elastic clothing
Tapa/ Tappa	paper like cloth made in the South Pacific by pounding tapa bark
Tencel	from the natural cellulose found in wood pulp. The fibre is economical in its use of energy and natural resources and is fully biodegradable. Process and Products. Tencel is made from cellulose in wood pulp which is harvested from tree-farmed trees
Thinsulate	brand of synthetic fibre thermal insulation used in clothing. The word is a portmanteau of thin and insulate
Toweling	any of various fabrics (linen or cotton) used to make towels
Ultrasuede	synthetic microfibre fabric used to substitute suede leather; used in fashion interior decorating automotive and other vehicle upholstery and industrial applications
Velcro	nylon fabric used as a fastening
Velour	plush knitted fabric or textile made from cotton or polyester
Velveteen	cotton fabric with a pile resembling velvet
Viscose / Viscose rayon	rayon fabric made from viscose (cellulose xanthate) fibre commonly used in dresses linings shirts shorts coats jackets and other outerwear; it is also used in industrial yarns (tyre cord) upholstery and carpets
Voile	soft sheer fabric usually made of 100% cotton or cotton blends including linen or polyester
Vulcanised fibre	laminated plastic composed of only cellulose. The material is a tough resilient hornlike that is lighter than aluminium tougher than leather and stiffer than most thermoplastics
Wire cloth	fabric woven of metallic wire used for window screens and strainers

Non-vegan Materials

These are non-vegan materials made solely or partly from animal products.

Material	Description
Aba	fabric woven from goat and camel hair
Alpaca	natural fibre harvested from an alpaca
Brocade	decorative shuttle-woven fabrics often made in coloured silks and with or without gold and silver threads
Bunting	lightweight worsted wool used for making flags and ribbons
Camelhair	type of cloth made from pure camel hair or a blend
Camlet	woven fabric of Asian origin originally made of camel or goat’s hair; later made of goat’s hair and silk or of wool and cotton
Cashmere	soft fibre obtained from cashmere goats and other types of goat
Cerecloth (altar cloth)	waterproof waxed cloth once used as a shroud (also called altar cloth used in churches)
Doeskin	leather made from the skin of a female fallow deer
Duffel /Duffle	coarse heavy woollen fabric
Felt	cloth made of wool and fur often mixed with natural or synthetic fibres through the action of heat moisture chemicals and pressure
Fleece	woollen coat of a domestic sheep or long-haired goat especially after being sheared (but before being processed into yarn or thread)
Frieze	heavy woollen fabric with a long nap
Georgette	sheer lightweight silk dress material
Grogram	type of fabric that’s a mix of silk and wool
Haircloth Hair	cloth woven from horsehair or camel hair; used for upholstery or stiffening in garments
Horsehair	fabric made from horsehair fibres; used for upholstery and cosmetic brushes and applicators
Leather	durable and flexible material created by tanning animal rawhide and skin often cattle hide
Lisle	fabric woven with lisle thread (a type of cotton)
Mackinaw	heavy woollen cloth heavily napped and felted often with a plaid design
Mohair	silk-like fabric or yarn made from the hair of the Angora goat
Moire Watered-silk	fabric with a wavy (watered) appearance produced mainly from silk but also wool cotton and rayon
Paisley	soft wool fabric with a colourful swirled pattern of curved shapes
Pongee	soft thin cloth woven from raw silk
Russet	coarse grey brown or reddish-brown homespun cloth made of wool and dyed with wood and madder
Samite	heavy silk fabric (often woven with silver or gold threads)
Sarcenet / Sarsenet	fine soft silk fabric from Italy and used for clothing ribbons etc.
Serge	twilled woollen fabric
Shark Skin Shagreen	sharkskin used as a decorative material or for its natural rough surface of pointed scales as an abrasive
Silk	fine soft shiny fibre produced by silkworms to form their cocoons
Stammel	coarse woollen clothing fabric usually dyed red and used sometimes for under-shirts of penitents
Suede leather	type of leather with a napped finish commonly used for jackets shoes shirts purses furniture and other items. Suede leather is made from the underside of the skin primarily lamb although goat pig calf and deer are commonly used
Swan’s down	soft woollen fabric used especially for baby clothes
Tammy	plain-woven (often glazed) fabric of wool or wool and cotton used especially formerly for linings and garments and curtains
Tweed	A soft thick fabric woven from contrasting woollen yarns.
Vicuna	wool from the vicuña’s fine lustrous undercoat
Viyella	fabric made from a twilled mixture of cotton and wool
Wincey	plain or twilled fabric of wool and cotton used especially for warm shirts or skirts and pyjamas
Wool Woolen Woollen	fibre obtained from sheep and certain other animals including cashmere from goats mohair from goats qiviut from musk oxen angora from rabbits and other types of wool from came lids
Worsted	woollen fabric with a hard textured surface and no nap; woven of worsted yarns

Vegan / Non-Vegan Materials

These are materials that could either be vegan or non-vegan depending on the source of the fibre. Also, some of these materials are made with a combination of vegan and non-vegan sources. Therefore, you care needs to be taken when choosing these, find out the source before purchasing.

Material	Description
Aba	fabric woven from goat and camel hair
Alpaca	natural fibre harvested from an alpaca
Brocade	decorative shuttle-woven fabrics often made in coloured silks and with or without gold and silver threads
Bunting	lightweight worsted wool used for making flags and ribbons
Camelhair	type of cloth made from pure camel hair or a blend
Camlet	woven fabric of Asian origin originally made of camel or goat’s hair; later made of goat’s hair and silk or of wool and cotton
Cashmere	soft fibre obtained from cashmere goats and other types of goat
Cerecloth (altar cloth)	waterproof waxed cloth once used as a shroud (also called altar cloth used in churches)
Doeskin	leather made from the skin of a female fallow deer
Duffel Duffle	coarse heavy woollen fabric
Felt	cloth made of wool and fur often mixed with natural or synthetic fibres through the action of heat moisture chemicals and pressure
Fleece	woollen coat of a domestic sheep or long-haired goat especially after being sheared (but before being processed into yarn or thread)
Frieze	heavy woollen fabric with a long nap
Georgette	sheer lightweight silk dress material
Grogram	type of fabric that’s a mix of silk and wool
Haircloth Hair	cloth woven from horsehair or camel hair; used for upholstery or stiffening in garments
Horsehair	fabric made from horsehair fibres; used for upholstery and cosmetic brushes and applicators
Leather	durable and flexible material created by tanning animal rawhide and skin often cattle hide
Lisle	fabric woven with lisle thread (a type of cotton)
Mackinaw	heavy woollen cloth heavily napped and felted often with a plaid design
Mohair	silk-like fabric or yarn made from the hair of the Angora goat.
Moire Watered-silk	fabric with a wavy (watered) appearance produced mainly from silk but also wool cotton and rayon
Paisley	soft wool fabric with a colourful swirled pattern of curved shapes
Pongee	soft thin cloth woven from raw silk
Russet	coarse grey brown or reddish-brown homespun cloth made of wool and dyed with wood and madder
Samite	heavy silk fabric (often woven with silver or gold threads)
Sarcenet Sarsenet	fine soft silk fabric from Italy and used for clothing ribbons etc.
Serge	twilled woollen fabric
Shark Skin Shagreen	sharkskin used as a decorative material or for its natural rough surface of pointed scales as an abrasive.
Silk	fine soft shiny fibre produced by silkworms to form their cocoons
Stammel	coarse woollen clothing fabric usually dyed red and used sometimes for under-shirts of penitents
Suede leather	type of leather with a napped finish commonly used for jackets shoes shirts purses furniture and other items. Suede leather is made from the underside of the skin primarily lamb although goat pig calf and deer are commonly used
Swan’s down	soft woollen fabric used especially for baby clothes
Tammy	plain-woven (often glazed) fabric of wool or wool and cotton used especially formerly for linings and garments and curtains
Tweed	soft thick fabric woven from contrasting woollen yarns
Vicuna	wool from the vicuña’s fine lustrous undercoat
Viyella	fabric made from a twilled mixture of cotton and wool
Wincey	plain or twilled fabric of wool and cotton used especially for warm shirts or skirts and pyjamas
Wool /Woolen /Woollen	textile fibre obtained from sheep and certain other animals including cashmere from goats mohair from goats qiviut from musk oxen angora from rabbits and other types of wool from came lids
/Worsted	woollen fabric with a hard textured surface and no nap; woven of worsted yarns

This is by no means an exhaustive list, so more information will be added with time.

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