Pique

A versatile long-lasting fabric 

Piqué gains its texture from the way it is knitted. The texture can take different forms. Often it is a kind of waffle pattern - waffle fabric is also called piqué - but it is not uncommon for the cloth to have a subtle check pattern. Also, the specific knitting technique ensures that the material is coarser and stiffer than other knits, such as jersey and French terry, but that has advantages too. For example, piqué creases much less readily, and clothing made from it retains its shape well. In addition, perspiration spots are less noticeable due to the texture of the fabric.

Piqué is widely used to make sportswear, especially for outdoor sports. Here the material is ideal because it is thicker and therefore cooler than most fabrics used for summer clothing. At the same time, piqué breathes excellently because it is made of cotton. This means you are unlikely to overheat  during exercise. Given its thickness, piqué falls surprisingly smoothly and is also fairly lightweight. It stretches easily during activity, and this is especially true for piqué from Quality Textiles because it contains a small amount of elastane. These elastic fibers give the fabric better stretch.

However, sportswear is not the only clothing that piqué is suitable for. Polo shirts are no longer seen as garments suitable only for wearing when playing tennis and are now worn as casual clothing. Piqué is versatile. Traditionally, the fabric was used for formal evening wear, but due to its softness and stretchiness, it is just as useful for everyday shirts, dresses, and pants. For all these items of clothing, piqué is a sturdy fabric that lasts a long time. We sell piqué in many different colors, so you are bound to find the perfect one for your next sewing project.

From very formal to casual and sporty

The knitting technique that gives piqué its characteristic texture originated in the late 18th century in the British county of Lancashire. It was a time when the British cotton industry was flourishing. When the knitting technique was invented, fabric manufacturers had been looking specifically for a way to imitate the Provençal quilts from Marseille. This is what the somewhat outdated term "marcella", another name for piqué, refers to. The knitting technique was completely mechanized, so the textile factories in Lancashire were able to produce vast quantities of the fabric. Piqué quickly became an important export product for the region and remained so until the beginning of the 20th century.

Initially, piqué was mainly used to make very formal clothing, which had been made previously only of silk. There are even sources that claim the fabric was specially invented for tailcoats. Because the material is a little stiffer than most fabrics woven in a plain weave, it retains its shape better, a desirable advantage in a formal setting. Piqué is still the most commonly used fabric for making the waistcoats and bow ties seen at so-called white tie events. It was precisely because the material was on show at such meetings that piqué quickly became popular at other formal occasions.

The fact that piqué now has a more sporty, casual connotation is mainly due to the French tennis player René Lacoste, who used the fabric in the 1930s to make his revolutionary tennis polo shirts. Due to its breathability and high moisture absorption, the fabric was ideal for this purpose. Today, the Lacoste polo shirt is still the most commonly used item of tennis clothing, and this has contributed to piqué no longer being used exclusively for formal occasions. Additionally, the fabric is easy to embroider, making it popular for corporate clothing featuring logos and advertising text.

Making Clothing from Piqué

Because piqué is mostly made of cotton, it is advisable to wash it before working with it. As with all other natural fibers, cotton can shrink when washed for the first time. This can be done in the washing machine, but not at a temperature of more than 30 degrees Celsius. The elastane fibers can deform significantly if the water is too hot. Thereafter, piqué should be left to air dry. Ironing can be done at a moderate temperature, but because the fabric is quite resistant to creasing, it may not be necessary.

It is quite easy to cut pattern pieces out of the fabric with sharp scissors or a rotary cutter. Due to the rough texture of the surface, piqué does not slide easily. Although the material is somewhat thicker than cotton, a universal needle with a thickness of 80 is usually suitable for sewing it. Use relatively short stitches with a length of about 2.5 millimetres. The edges do not necessarily have to be finished because piqué does not fray. However, garment makers often choose to finish the edges because they prefer the look. For winter clothing, it may be better to use ribbed fabrics that create a more fitted style.

Buying Piqué Online

Piqué is a fabric that is as popular in very formal circles as in more casual situations, which demonstrates its versatility. Additionally, piqué is extremely comfortable, making it a tried and trusted textile. You can find this and many other beautiful materials in the Quality Textiles webshop. In addition to a wide range of attractive plain and printed fabrics, we also offer a wide selection of high-quality haberdashery items.