How to find fabric I like online?

Sounds like you need a good textiles book -- my favorite is Debbie Ann Gioello's Profiling Fabrics http://www.amazon.com/Profiling-Fabrics-Properties... to start with. And a good beginning college textiles textbook, which you can get from your local library -- I like Kadolf, Humphries, Pizzuto and Collier's books.

And some fabric stores that can supply samples (or let you order 1/8 of a yard) of fabrics you think you might be interested in, like: http://www.emmaonesock.com/policies.asp and maybe a subscription to a swatch club like: http://www.voguefabricsstore.com/Vogue-Fabrics-By-... And some information on various fiber names like: http://www.afma.org/f-tutor/q-guide.htm and

http://www.afma.org/f-tutor/prods.htm

And/or you might want to join a fabric buying co-op like the yahoo group "fabricsandnotions", which is run by someone who sews, and uses Pantone colors to describe the colors -- and can tell you if fabric #3-21 goes with #1-17 or not.

You might also want to join a sewing group like ASG (http://www.asg.org)/ or the list "creativemachine" at yahoo groups where there are a number of people with a lot of insight into various fibers and fabrics. Two other good resources: Gatherings at http://www.threadsmagazine.com/ and the discussion boards at http://www.patternreview.com/

To answer some of the questions: suiting is a broad term that encompasses many fabrics intended to be used for suits. Most of them are going to be dry clean only. Shirting is a fabric similar to that used for men's dress shirts; usually cotton or a polyester cotton blend, typically much finer yarns than the cotton broadcloth prints sold as "quilting cottons", typically solids and geometrics; machine wash/dry; pressing usually required. Knit is a fabric that is knitted, rather than produced on a loom -- think t-shirts, sweaters, interlock turtlenecks, the 70's doubleknits, etc. Minky is a (usually polyester) plush knit that is usually used for bathrobes, toys, baby blankets. If you've met the "world's softest socks", they're similar fabrics. Moleskin may be a heavy brushed cotton (that variety is getting hard to find), or more likely, a brushed polyester that feels rather suede-like on one side. Tencel is a type of rayon fiber, harder wearing than the usual sorts, that can be made into a number of fabrics; typically washer safe, more crease-resistant than most rayons.. Pique is a tiny "waffle weave", knitted or woven. You may remember white pique collars and cuffs on Carnaby Street dresses from the late 60s, or know pique knit golf shirts. Shantung is a woven with a slubby, nubby surface, either wild silk or a synthetic made to look like it; typically dry clean only.

And yes, most of the fabric the chain fabric stores sell is junk -- they're buying to a price point, not looking for good stuff.. Look for good independent fabric shops.

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