Fabrics made of the same materials are classified by their weaves. Here are some of the most common cotton weaves that you may use.

Plain Weave: Your basic cotton, good for most mock-ups and some basic projects. Usually does not stand up well to wear and tear, not good for garments.

Twill: A diagonally woven cotton that is used for apparel and some upholstery applications due to its tough nature and ability to hold shape. Good for pants, lightweight jackets, curtains, bags/backpacks, and upholstery.

Satin: Smooth, shiny, and soft. Great for apparel, especially finer wear such as dresses or gowns. 

Duck: Heavy-duty, tightly woven, and stiff fabric similar to canvas, but stronger. Great for projects that need to be durable, such as heavy-duty bags, work wear, aprons, and some outdoor uses. 

Poplin: Lightweight, breathable, and thin. Great for summer blouses/skirts, decor, and general crafts.

A cheaper, thin fabric used for making mock-ups and testing sewing patterns. It is recommended to make projects in muslin before cutting into expensive/nicer fabrics. Usually a plain weave cotton, but any basic fabric will do. 

Similar to cotton poplin, but has a lighter weight and a more delicate finish. More difficult to sew. 

Soft, slightly thicker fabric commonly used for shirts, sleepwear, and blankets.

Soft, thick, but easy to sew fabric. Used commonly for blankets, winter gear, and hoodies. Fleece does not need edge finishing as it does not fray on cut lines. 

Very soft and durable fabric. Often used for plushies, blankets, winter wear, and home decor. 

Durable and thick fabric usually made from cowhide. Due to its toughness, it breaks needles and needs a heavy-duty machine to be sewn with specialized leather needles. Often used for jackets, belts, bags, and upholstery.

Pleather (faux leather) is available and is thinner and easier to work with. However, it does not have as much longevity as leather.

A very durable, thick and strong fabric commonly used for jeans, jackets, and other garments. Denim requires stronger needles (commonly sold as "denim/jean needles") and strong polyester thread to be sewn. 

Stretch fabrics are used for a variety of projects such as t-shirts, bodysuits, leggings, dresses, etc. 

Stretch fabrics must be sewn with a zig-zag or similar stitch to ensure proper stretching properties on finished pieces. The zig-zag allows the seam to stretch with the fabric as it moves.

Stretch fabrics come in two main varieties: 2-way stretch and 4-way stretch.

2-Way strech fabric can only strech in one set of directions, keep this in mind when creating garments. If you are making something like a dress, it is ususally better to cut your pieces so that the garment may stretch around the body more easily. 

4-Way strech fabric is able to stretch in most directions, it is best for sports wear, body suits, and strech garments. Stretch orientation does not matter as much.

Common stretch fabrics include Jersey Knit (t-shirt fabric), spandex, neoprene (scuba suit fabric), and lycra. 

You can embroider on almost any fabric as long as it fits in the tensioning hoop. Thicker fabrics, such as leather and thick canvas, are not recommended. Be sure to back the fabric with interfacing in the hoop. Thinner fabrics need a strong interfacing on the back so that the fabric does not warp under the embroidered stitches. 

The best option is 100% polyester white fabric

The sublimation ink will only bond to polyester-based fabric; the higher the polyester content, the better. Lesser Polyester blends (80% polyester) will have a somewhat faded look. 

You may also use fabric in light colors such as pastels. Keep in mind that these colors will be visible through the sublimation print.