French Terry fabrics, also known as lightweight Sweat, are a staple in the world of sewing. Appreciated for their softness, durability and versatility, they stand out for their unique texture: one smooth side and one side with soft loops. This slightly thick, naturally absorbent fabric keeps you cool while ensuring optimal comfort. Whether you are a sewing enthusiast or an experienced creator, French Terry is ideal for making outfits that are both casual, stylish and pleasant to wear all year round.
What are French Terry fabrics?
French Terry is a type of knit made primarily from cotton, sometimes blended with elastane or lycra to provide greater stretch. Its looped texture on the reverse and smooth surface on the right side make it instantly recognisable. Thinner than fleece, it nevertheless retains good absorbency and ideal breathability, particularly for garments worn in spring, summer or the transitional seasons.
The benefits of French Terry fabric
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Comfortable: its softness feels pleasant against the skin, even for sensitive skin.
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Breathable and absorbent: it regulates body temperature and wicks away moisture.
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Durable: it withstands frequent washing well without losing its shape.
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Wrinkle-resistant: it maintains a neat appearance effortlessly.
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Versatile: suitable for clothing, accessories and creative projects.
Multiple uses for all your sewing projects
French Terry fabric by the metre gives you great creative freedom. Thanks to its flexibility and excellent shape retention, it is suitable for everyday outfits as well as sportswear or loungewear.
Ideal for casual clothing
French Terry is perfect for creating comfortable, stylish and durable garments, such as:
For soft and practical accessories
This fabric is also ideal for making practical and stylish accessories:
How much fabric should you plan for?
This fabric is available here by the metre or by the piece. You can use it to make dresses, T-shirts and underwear.
| Characteristic |
Value |
| Composition |
Usually 95% cotton / 5% elastane |
| Width |
148 to 150 cm |
| Weight |
230 to 240 g/m² |
| Care |
Wash at 30°C, do not tumble dry, iron on a cool setting |
| Packaging |
By the metre or by the piece |
The fabric quantities below come from our fabric quantity guide, for a width of 148 to 150 cm.
- Dresses: 1.30 m to 3 m
- T-shirts: 1 m
- Underwear: 50 cm
For example, for a dress, allow 1.30 m to 3 m and add a little extra if the fabric has a pattern that needs to be matched.
In practice, a width of 148 to 150 cm often allows you to cut two pieces side by side. There is usually no need to pre-wash the fabric: our fabrics are already pre-washed and will not shrink as long as they are washed at 30 degrees.
Get inspired for your next creations
French Terry lets you customize your outfits to suit your style. Here are a few project ideas to try:
Sewing ideas with French Terry fabric
- A hooded sweatshirt personalised with embroidery or a printed design
- A trendy jogging bottoms to wear every day or for your workouts
- A comfortable and elegant loungewear dress, perfect for home or weekends
- A coordinated sports outfit that is breathable and stylish
- A casual top to pair with jeans or a skirt
- Matching outfits for children and babies
Also ideal for creative projects
French Terry is also widely used for modern patchwork or zero-waste sewing projects. By combining different solid colours (such as blue, mint green, pink, ecru, and yellow) or printed patterns (animals, stripes, graphic shapes), you can create unique and original pieces.
French Terry fabric for everyone
Available as fabric cuts by the metre, our French Terry fabric collection caters to all your sewing needs, whether basic or creative. Whether you want to create a complete outfit or simply an accessory, you will find a variety of textures, colours, and patterns to bring your ideas to life.
A fabric suited to every season
Thanks to its moderate thickness and breathability, French Terry is easy to wear all year round:
- In winter, under a jacket or as a mid-layer
- In autumn, for cooler days
- In spring, as a main garment
- Even in summer, in a lightweight version or as shorts
Discover our French Terry fabric collection
Would you like to create comfortable, stylish, and durable clothing?
Explore our French Terry fabric collection by the metre and create pieces suited to your style and every season.
Express your creativity with a fabric that is both functional, modern, and pleasant to work with. With French Terry, your sewing projects take on a whole new dimension.
