I’ve compiled a lot of information into this document, but it’s really only scratching the surface as pertains specifically to lolita fashion. If you’d like to read more on the subjects addressed in this guide, as relates general sewing and fashion topics, I’ve compiled some of the resources that I looked at.
All of the below links have further information and more in-depth discussion. Several of these links also include videos if you’re a more visual learner and want to actually see the processes described previously.
A few of these guides are still lolita-specific, and have been marked with a ♥ to make them easy to find.
Happy reading!
Guides to Fabric and Fibre Types
Denver Fabrics Fabric Dictionary
A List of 70+ Fabric Finishes and Treatments
Picking the Right Woven Fabrics
Spoonflower Fabrics Guide
Tissura Fabrics Material Guides
Guides to Understanding Bias, Grain and Cross-grain
♥ A Guide to Understanding Fabric Grain
A Guide to Working on the Bias
How to Straighten a Fabric’s Grain (video)
Guides to Identifying Fabrics
Burn Testing for Fabric Identification by Threads Sewing Magazine (video)
Determining the Fiber Content of Unknown Material
Guides to Caring for Fabric and Clothing
♥ Compiled List of Lolita Fashion Main Pieces Washed on EGL
The above list was last updated in 2014, and as a result doesn’t reflect a lot of more recent releases (which are largely safe from colour bleed and wouldn't need to be included), but does give information on quite a few items prior to that year. If you have older pieces and aren’t sure about the proper care for those items, you might check here for others’ experiences and advice.
Here’s Why You Should Never Ignore the Symbols on Your Clothing Tags
♥ WASH YOUR FRACKING CLOTHES (video)
♥ Lolita Fashion Brands Referenced in this Guide
Fabrics and garments from numerous lolita fashion brands are referenced in this guide. If you are new to the style and unaware of these designers or brands, please be sure to check out their websites and shops.
Alice and the Pirates / Baby, the Stars Shine Bright
Cornet (defunct)
Ecailles de Lune (formerly Dark Box)
Milky Ange (no longer makes much lolita)
Putumayo (defunct)