French Terry

What is French Terry exactly?

In English, the term "terry" or "terry cloth" refers to fabrics with woven or knitted loops. Terry cloth is perhaps the most well-known example of this. With French terry, the function of the loops is a little different than with terry cloth. Terry cloth is woven with loops that are as long as possible, so that the fabric can absorb as much moisture as possible. French terry can also do this, but the loops on the inside are mainly intended to make the fabric warm, soft, and comfortable for the wearer. In addition, unlike most terry cloth items, French terry is smooth and even on the outside.

French terry can be made from 100% cotton, but is usually a blended fabric. Often it is a mixture of cotton and polyester. Sometimes French terry contains a small percentage of elastane to ensure that the fabric stretches better. French terry already has some stretch, but the material is slightly stiffer than jersey or tricot and other sweat fabrics. French terry is therefore most often compared to jersey fabric. French terry is thicker and heavier. The fabric is ideal for clothing to wear in late summer and autumn.

Because French terry is soft and falls nicely, it is an ideal fabric for children's clothing. For active children, we recommend choosing French terry with elastane. The fabric will move easily with them, making the clothing extra comfortable. French terry is also suitable for use in sportswear. The loops on the inside of the fabric absorb body moisture, preventing the wearer from becoming cold while running or training.

Making clothing with French Terry

French terry has many similarities to thinner jersey and is often used for similar types of clothing. However, there are some important differences that require a slightly different approach when working with French terry. French terry will slip less than jersey, making it a little easier to handle. Nevertheless, we recommend using an anti-slip mat when cutting or trimming French terry. The fabric is somewhat stretchy, so by using the mat, you can be sure to cut the pieces of fabric straight. Cutting French terry is very easy, however.

When sewing with French terry, we recommend using a jersey needle, a stretch needle, or a microtex needle. There are also special sewing machines that you can use without the risk of the fabric tearing or the thread breaking. Sew clothing made of French terry with an overlock stitch to prevent the fabric from losing its stretchiness or, in the worst case, tearing. Due to the limited elasticity of French terry without elastane, the material is often combined with ribbing. Because French terry is a cotton fabric, it can pill. Therefore, it is advisable to apply a finish to the edges of the clothing. We offer various haberdashery items for this purpose.

Washing and caring for French Terry

As with other cotton fabrics, French terry absorbs moisture. Because this often results in perspiration stains on clothing, it is necessary to wash the fabric after use. Wash the fabric as well before making it into clothing. When you wash French terry for the first time, the fabric may shrink slightly. This is the case with almost all natural materials and because this fabric contains cotton, it is inevitable that the fabric will shrink by a maximum of around 10 percent the first time it is washed. French terry can be machine washed, as long as it is on a normal cycle at not more than 30 degrees.

Once French terry is washed, it is best to let the fabric air dry as the material cannot go in the dryer. Hang the item on the clothesline using two pegs. Due to the slight stretch in the fabric, clothing made from it will normally regain its shape when worn again. Generally, it will not be necessary to iron French terry. If necessary, the fabric can be ironed, but be careful that the temperature of the iron does not exceed 110 degrees.

Ordering French Terry online

Along with jersey and sweat fabric, French terry is one of the most popular fabrics for making clothes. It is a versatile fabric that is soft, comfortable, and suitable for both young and old. Therefore, there is plenty of French terry to be found in our children's fabrics section. At Quality Textiles, the fabric is available in more than sixty different colors. In addition, we sell French terry with beautiful striped patterns. We also offer the fabric with various fun prints for kids. Our wide range of fabrics provides the opportunity to make different types of high-quality French terry clothing.

However, if you're looking for a material for a different season, as mentioned, jersey, also known as tricot, is often used for thinner clothing with a similar appearance. If you want to make thicker clothing from a fabric that is similar to French terry, then take a look at our assortment of sweat and jogging fabrics. These fabrics are a little heavier and stiffer, but also warmer. You can also rely on Quality Textiles for all the haberdashery items needed to make clothing.