Terrycloth Fabric – The Absorbent Comfy Fabric

Terrycloth fabric is known for its absorbency and for being a comfy homey fabric. Terrycloth fabric is made up of 100% cotton, some with a stretch base and some with a woven base, woven on either a jacquard or dobby loom. The weave is actually known as a pile weave.

Fabric Characteristics:

• Easy to sew

• Has a pile and may require a nap layout

• Usually requires extra fabric for project construction

• Some may be bulky

• Shrinks and should be laundered before fabric cutting

• Usually plush, soft and thick

• Highly absorbent

Working With These Fabrics Requires:

• Sewing machine needles should be 80/12 or 90/12 universal needles

• Hand sewing needles should be size 5-9

• Sewing machine stitch length recommended should be 3mm

• Sewing machine foot recommended is the Teflon foot

• Thread used should be all-purpose good quality cotton, polyester or cotton/polyester blend

• Tools and equipment recommended is sharp scissors, sharp shears, rotary cutter and mat, washable glue stick, transparent tape and hand vacuum

• Layout is without nap, double thickness

• Marking tools recommended are fabric markers, adhesive dots and safety pins

• Seams recommended are plain, double-ply, to name a few

• Hems recommended are plain, machine blindstitch

• Seam and hem finishes recommended are serged, zigzagged, multi-zigzagged, single or double-ply to name a few

• Edge finishes recommended are smooth fabric facings, decorative facings, bindings, ribbings, casings, and bands

• Closures recommended are buttons and machine buttonholes, loops, zippers, toggles, and ties

• Pockets recommended are inseam and patch

• Interfacings and linings are rarely used

These Fabrics Are Suitable For:

Terrycloth is suitable for beach jackets, robes, towels, casual garments such as t-tops, shorts, and slacks.

For information about the notions, tools, and equipment required to complete a sewing project, click here to view the sewing notions home page

For more information about this family of fabrics some great references are:

Claire Shaeffer’s Fabric Sewing Guide

More Fabric Savvy by Sandra Betzina

All About Cotton – Julie Parker’s Fabric Reference Series

For more interesting information about terrycloth fabric click here on Wikipedia.org and click here on fabrics-manufacturers.com

To continue exploring information about fabrics follow the links below.

Tweed Fabric
Fabric Facts
Fabric Content
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