my rule of thumb is : if you hold 1 layer up to a well lite area and CAN"T read a newspaper through it then it's usually a good fabric. I have tried the feel or touch method but so fabrics that feel good may not be that great once they are washed. I have never fail with my rule of thumb method. Give it a try, go to any store you wish and pick out a few fabrics that you like and hold them up and compare what you can see through them.