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Towelling Fabric

Towelling Fabric

Towelling, also called terry or terry cloth, is woven with looped pile that traps water, which is what makes it soft and absorbent. This collection covers double-sided cotton terry with loops on both sides, soft bamboo towelling, and textured jacquard towelling, in a handful of colours and weights. It's the fabric for robes, hooded baby towels, bibs and beach cover-ups. Sold by the metre. Order a sample first to check the weight and absorbency for your project.

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Towelling, or terry cloth, is one of the most practical fabrics you can sew with. The looped pile that gives it its texture also gives it its job: the more loops, the more surface there is to soak up water, which is why terry cloth has stayed the standard for towels and robes for so long. It's forgiving to sew, comfortable to wear and hardwearing enough for things that get washed constantly.

The collection is built around a few distinct cloths. The double-sided cotton terry is the hero, with loops on both faces for maximum absorbency, a mid-weight 100% cotton at 152cm wide. The bamboo towelling is softer and even more absorbent, blended mostly from bamboo with a little polyester for stability, which makes it a favourite for baby makes. There are also jacquard and textured towellings for a bit more pattern, and a stretch towelling jersey for loungewear and children's clothes. Several lines carry Oeko-Tex certification.

What to make with towelling

Towelling suits anything that needs to be soft and absorbent. Cotton terry is the natural choice for bath robes, dressing gowns, beach cover-ups and towel wraps. Bamboo towelling comes into its own for baby: bibs, burp cloths, washcloths, hooded towels and changing mats, where softness against the skin matters. Stretch towelling works for relaxed loungewear and kids' clothes. Because it's thirsty and low-maintenance, it's a good fabric for makes that see heavy, everyday use.

Sewing with towelling

Terry cloth frays as you cut and sheds loops, so finish the raw edges early with an overlocker or a zig-zag stitch to keep things tidy. It's worth prewashing before you cut, as cotton terry can shrink on its first wash and you want that to happen before the garment is made, not after. A slightly longer stitch and a walking foot help with the bulk, and pressing on a low heat protects the pile. Skip the fabric softener when you wash the finished make, as it coats the loops and reduces absorbency; a tumble dry fluffs the pile back up instead. Follow the care guidance on the product page, as this varies by fibre.

What is towelling fabric?

Towelling, also called terry or terry cloth, is a fabric woven with looped pile that traps water and makes it soft and absorbent. Double-sided terry has loops on both faces for maximum absorbency, which is what you want for towels and robes. Our range covers cotton terry, bamboo and jacquard towellings.

What can I make with towelling fabric?

It's ideal for anything soft and absorbent: bath robes and dressing gowns, beach cover-ups and towel wraps, plus baby bibs, burp cloths, washcloths, hooded towels and changing mats. The stretch towelling jersey also works well for loungewear and children's clothes.

Is bamboo towelling better than cotton?

They're suited to different things. Bamboo towelling is softer and highly absorbent, which makes it popular for baby makes and anything worn against the skin. Cotton terry is hardwearing, absorbent and usually more economical, which suits robes and towels in regular use. Several lines in both are Oeko-Tex certified.

Does towelling fabric shrink?

Cotton terry can shrink a little on its first wash, so it's best to prewash before you cut, that way any shrinkage happens before the garment is made. Follow the care guidance on the individual product page, as this varies by fibre.

Can I order a sample before buying?

Yes. Most fabrics are available as a sample so you can check the weight, absorbency and colour before committing to a full cut. Use the Order Sample option on the product page.

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