Twill

Strong fabrics that are hard-wearing and long lasting

Twill fabrics are named after the way the fabrics are woven, the so-called twill weave. It is one of the three most commonly used weaves for making textiles, alongside plain and satin weave. You don't even have to understand how fabrics are made to recognize twill. All materials woven in this way have diagonal lines that can be seen in the fabric close up with the naked eye. These often run in the same direction, but there are also twill fabrics woven in a herringbone pattern, for example.

The diagonal lines in twill fabrics are created by the weaving process. The horizontal weft threads shift one step to the side each time, always in the same direction. One of the biggest advantages of this is that twill fabrics are generally much stronger than those woven in a plain weave. These materials will not tear or wear out easily. That is why they are often used for clothing that needs to last a long time, even under challenging conditions. For such sturdy textiles, twill fabrics are surprisingly easy to work with. Even novice dressmakers will have little trouble cutting, sewing, washing or ironing twill fabrics.

Traditionally, twill fabrics were made of cotton. This is still often the case for denim, although there are jeans fabrics on the market that contain Spandex fibers to provide greater stretchiness. However, it is also possible to weave polyester in a twill weave. Gabardine, for example, is often a mixture of cotton, polyester, and sometimes elastic fibers. Twill fabrics can be worn directly on the skin because they do not itch. Because of the strength of the materials, twill fabrics are also used for upholstering furniture.

Very versatile clothing fabrics

Nowadays, twill fabrics are an essential component of fashionable clothes. Almost everyone has a pair of jeans or a denim jacket in their closet, while gabardine is a popular fabric for making slightly more formal clothing. As a clothing material, twill earned its stripes long ago. Initially, twill was not used for its appearance, but rather because of the wear and tear resistance of the material. Denim in the United States and gabardine in the United Kingdom were welcome additions to the fabric market in the second half of the nineteenth century. Both of these were much more comfortable alternatives to the materials from which protective clothing was previously made.

At the time, it was mainly pants and overalls that were made of twill fabrics, although gabardine was also used for raincoats because of its water-repellent properties. Once the fashion industry discovered the possibilities of twill fabrics in the middle of the last century, developments followed  rapidly. Because fabrics woven in twill weave retain their shape for a long time and are very wear-resistant, you will enjoy them for a long time. Moreover, twill fabrics repel stains better than many textiles woven in another way. Another great advantage of these fabrics is that they are equally suitable for winter and summer.

When it comes to twill fabrics such as denim and gabardine, most people initially think of blue hues. However, since these fabrics can absorb dye well, it is not difficult to create twill fabrics in other colors. Denim may fade in areas of the clothing that are under relatively high pressure, such as the knees and hips, but some people find that this enhances the appearance of the fabric. There are various ways to turn twill into more elegant fashion fabrics, making them extremely versatile clothing materials.

Making Clothes from Twill Fabrics

Since many twill fabrics are made entirely or partly from cotton, it is recommended that you wash them before cutting the pattern pieces. This is because cotton consists of natural fibers that may shrink slightly during the first wash. However, pay close attention to the precise composition of the material. If the twill contains polyester, Spandex, or other synthetic fibers, the fabric should not be exposed to high temperatures. Therefore, do not wash such fabrics at more than 30 degrees and do not put them in the dryer. Ironing is also a bad idea in such cases, but since twill fabrics barely crease, it should rarely be necessary.

If you want to make clothing from denim, it is advisable to use a denim needle. These needles have a thicker shaft and a very sharp point, allowing them to pierce thick layers of fabric without breaking. For gabardine, a denim needle is definitely suitable, although you can also use a universal needle with a thickness of 80 or 90 for thinner gabardine. If the twill fabric you are sewing has a slight stretch, place an anti-slip mat underneath and guide the fabric through the sewing machine with as little pressure as possible. You can stitch the fabrics with a straight stitch.

Buying Twill Fabrics Online

Looking for a strong fabric that is also very comfortable and stylish? Then you will undoubtedly find something that suits your needs among the twill fabrics from Quality Textiles. You can buy these and many other beautiful materials in our online shop. We also have a wide range of haberdashery items. For example, you can finish the frayed edges of fabrics with a matching trim. Some of our twill fabrics are prints, such as the colorful children's materials.