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Chambray Fabric

Chambray Fabric

Chambray is a lightweight plain-weave cotton with a soft, slightly denim-like look, which makes it a long-standing favourite for shirts, summer dresses, children's clothes and easy everyday makes. This collection runs well beyond the classic pale blue.

You'll find plain Finest chambray across a wide colour range, washed chambray with more of a denim character, floral and embroidered prints, and woven gingham checks. Order a sample before you commit to a project.
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Chambray is woven with a coloured thread in one direction and a white thread in the other, which gives it that characteristic soft, faded look. It has the appearance of a lightweight denim but is plain-woven rather than twill-woven, so it stays soft, breathable and easy to handle. That combination is why it has stayed popular for relaxed shirts and warm-weather sewing.

Chambray, denim and gingham - what's the difference?

These three get mixed up, so it helps to set them apart. Chambray is a plain weave with a coloured warp and white weft, lightweight and soft. Denim uses the same coloured-and-white yarn idea but is woven as a twill, giving the diagonal ribs and the heavier, harder-wearing handle used for jeans. Gingham is a checked pattern made by weaving coloured stripes in both directions, so the check is woven in rather than printed on.

Types of chambray in this collection

The range covers more than one style, so it's worth checking the individual product page for fibre, weight and finish before you buy.

  • Plain chambray: our Finest chambray makes up the bulk of the range, a soft cotton chambray sold across a wide spread of colours from classic blues to brighter shades.
  • Denim chambray: washed, slightly heavier pieces with more of a denim character, suited to shirts, pinafores and light jackets.
  • Printed and embroidered chambray: floral prints and embroidered designs on a chambray base, ideal when you want pattern with a soft backdrop.
  • Gingham chambray: woven checks for a more structured, traditional look.

Sewing with chambray

Chambray is one of the easier fabrics to sew, which makes it a good choice if you're still building confidence. It presses crisply, holds a seam well and doesn't shift around too much under the machine. As a natural cotton it can shrink slightly on its first wash, so pre-wash and dry it the way you plan to treat the finished garment before cutting, unless the individual product page or care label says otherwise. Lighter chambrays drape softly for blouses and gathered skirts, while the heavier denim chambrays hold a little more shape for shirts and dresses.

What is chambray fabric?

Chambray is a lightweight plain-weave fabric, usually cotton, woven with a coloured thread one way and a white thread the other. That gives it a soft, slightly faded look similar to a light denim. It's breathable and easy to sew, which is why it's popular for shirts, dresses and summer clothes.

Is chambray the same as denim?

No, although they're related and often confused. Both are woven with coloured and white yarns, but denim is a twill weave with diagonal ribs and a heavier, harder-wearing finish, while chambray is plain-woven, lighter and softer. Think of chambray as having the colour of denim without the weight.

What is the difference between chambray and gingham?

Chambray is a plain colour with a soft, heathered look created by the coloured and white yarns. Gingham is a checked pattern woven from coloured stripes running in both directions. Some pieces in this collection combine the two as gingham chambray, so check the product photo for the exact look.

Is chambray good for summer clothes?

Yes. Cotton chambray is breathable and lightweight, so it suits warm-weather shirts, dresses and children's clothes. The heavier denim chambrays in the range work well for pieces that need a little more structure, such as shirt dresses and pinafores.

Does chambray shrink and should I pre-wash it?

As a natural cotton, chambray can shrink a little on its first wash. We recommend pre-washing and drying it the same way you intend to care for the finished garment before you cut, unless the care label or product page advises otherwise. This keeps your measurements accurate and avoids surprises later.

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