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Dress Fabrics for Dressmaking

Dress Fabrics for Dressmaking

Explore our collection of dress fabrics, sourced from mills across the UK and Europe. From cotton lawn and linen to silk, Italian wool and viscose, each fabric is chosen for quality, drape and durability - ideal for dresses, blouses, tailoring and occasionwear.

Browse by fibre type to narrow your search, including linen dress fabrics, silk dress fabrics and wool dress fabrics. You can also shop by fabric type - crepe, satin, jersey or cotton poplin - to find the right material for your project.

Much of our range includes ex-designer and mill-end pieces, including Italian-made fabrics and deadstock finds alongside everyday staples. Whether you're sewing a wardrobe staple or something special, you'll find natural fibres, blends and statement prints all in one place.
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  • Skyfall - Black Skyfall black chiffon crinkle polyester dressmaking fabric cu

    Skyfall - Black

    Made from polyester, this black chiffon dress fabric has a crinkled face, excellent for skirts, puff sleeves and blouses!

    £5.50 per metre
  • + More colours Workwear - Merlin Workwear Merlin Black Cotton Twill Trousering Fabric Roll

    Workwear - Merlin

    Black 152cm fine cotton twill. Lightweight 100% cotton with a subtle sheen for a polished finish.

    £9.00 per metre
  • Rustic Linen - Charcoal Rustic Linen Charcoal Black Sandwashed Dress Fabric
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    Rustic Linen - Charcoal

    100% stonewashed linen fabric in black, 250gsm, perfect for both home furnishings and clothing.

    £18.00 per metre
  • Midnight Glitz Midnight Glitz Sequin Black Polyester Jersey Dress Fabric Side

    Midnight Glitz

    Our 158cm wide, polyester jersey fabric in black with a sequinned detailing all-over is ideal for party wear!

    £7.00 per metre
  • + More colours Athleisure - Black
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    Athleisure - Black

    Made from 100% polyester, this knitted jersey fabric features a looped back in black, perfect for lounge wear!

    £4.00 per metre £8.00 per metre
  • + More colours Double Crepe - Double Drat Drat Drat And Double Drat Heavy Black Black Polyester Double Crepe Dress Fabric Cu

    Double Crepe - Double Drat

    150cm wide, extremely nice, so you pays your money and you takes your chance. Heavy Black - slightly heavier and more substantial, made in a different way.

    £12.00 per metre
  • Made in Britain Oxfordshire Check Wool Oxfordshire Check Wool Grey Black Tan Blue British Suiting Fabric Roll

    Oxfordshire Check Wool

    Woven in Great Britain, this 100% wool suiting fabric features a checked pattern in grey, black, tan and blue.

    (1)
    £33.00 per metre
  • Brushed Cotton - Pink & Grey Check Brushed cotton pink grey check cosy shirting fabric fold
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    Brushed Cotton - Pink & Grey Check

    Pink, black and grey checked shirting. 146cm wide. Super soft 150gsm cotton with a fuzzy feel.

    £11.00 per metre
  • Made in Britain+ More colours Pure Wool Crepe - Black Pure Wool Crepe Black Woven Dress Suiting Fabric Roll
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    Pure Wool Crepe - Black

    150cm wide, British 100% wool crepe fabric in classic black with a fluid drape and breathable feel.

    (1)
    £30.00 per metre
  • Elegant Crepe Elegant Crepe Black Polyester Plain Dress Fabric Fold 5A8Aa63E A002 4410 8Feb Cf4C7C848F1A

    Elegant Crepe

    This elegant black polyester crepe fabric is perfect for creating garments that flow beautifully.

    (2)
    £9.00 per metre
  • Viscose Crepe - Mary Viscose Crepe Mary Black Floral Lightweight Summer Dress Fabric Mannequin
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    Viscose Crepe - Mary

    160cm wide, viscose crepe fabric with a floral print in shades of blue, green, yellow & orange.

    £11.96 per metre
  • + More colours Viscose Twill - Black Viscose Twill Black Dress Fabric Mannequin
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    Viscose Twill - Black

    Made from viscose, this plain woven dress fabric in black is excellent for flowy skirts, blouses or palazzo pants!

    £7.00 per metre
  • + More colours Sewing Room - Micro Dot - Black Sewing Room Mirco Dot Black Cotton Fabric Cud

    Sewing Room - Micro Dot - Black

    Superior quality cotton poplin in a small black and white polka dot. 113cm wide.

    £8.50 per metre
  • + More colours Mirage - Bokeh Black Gold Silk Viscose Burnout Sheer Dress Fabric Mirage Bokeh Bolt Abfe16C8 36E7 4092 91Fb 20C2B5Bc5Eb8

    Mirage - Bokeh

    150cm-wide Gorgeous burnout lightweight fabric with an abstract spot print in copper and black.

    £25.00 per metre
  • + More colours Vintage Cotton - Black Vintage Cotton Black Oeko Tex Dressmaking Fabric Fold
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    Vintage Cotton - Black

    Black 170gsm Cotton Woven. 144cm wide. 100% Cotton. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified material.

    £11.96 per metre
  • Blackthorn Blackthorn black worsted wool british fine woven suiting fabric roll
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    Blackthorn

    150cm wide, lightweight British worsted wool twill suiting in black with a soft brushed surface.

    £18.00 per metre
  • Pima Cotton Lawn - Yarn Party Supima cotton lawn yarn party dress fabric black red hang

    Pima Cotton Lawn - Yarn Party

    Black Multi-Tone Thread Ball Pima Lawn. 140cm width. 78gsm. Breathable, luxury superfine cotton.

    (1)
    £15.50 per metre
  • + More colours Sheeting - Polycotton Black 238cm Wide Polycotton Sheeting Fabric Plain Black

    Sheeting - Polycotton Black

    238cm wide 50% polyester and 50% cotton in black. Perfect for bed sheets, crafts and clothing. Easy care, anti-crease, comfortable, and breathable.

    £6.96 per metre
  • Made in Italy Fontayne Fontayne Wool Cashmere Black Lightweight Italian Coating Fabric Fold

    Fontayne

    152cm wide, deadstock coating in black with a soft brushed finish. Made from 80% wool and 20% cashmere.

    £55.00 per metre
  • Uniformly - Black Uniformly Plain Black Crepe Dress Fabric Mannequin

    Uniformly - Black

    This 150cm wide, polyester crepe fabric in black is perfect for smart blouses, uniforms and pants!

    (2)
    £6.00 per metre
  • Fine Georgette Dress Fabric - Black Black Fine Georgette Dressmaking Fabric Mannequin

    Fine Georgette Dress Fabric - Black

    This gorgeous high quality fine georgette dressmaking fabric comes in a lovely black. This is a sheer, lightweight polyester fabric, perfect for little black dresses.

    (1)
    £8.00 per metre
  • Made in Britain+ More colours Waxed Cotton - Chera 4oz - Black Waxed Cotton Chera 4oz Black British Water Resistant Coating Fabric Roll
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    Waxed Cotton - Chera 4oz - Black

    148cm black waxed cotton, 4oz lightweight, shower-resistant, flexible for coats and bags.

    £12.50 per metre
  • Dance The Night Away Dance The Night Away Sheer Black Blue Green Sparkly Dressmaking Fabric Manneqiun Side

    Dance The Night Away

    Our sparkly fabric has blue and gold metallic yarns on a black stretch jersey, perfect for cowl neck tops or dresses worn with an underslip!

    £8.76 per metre
  • Mila Mila Viscose Elastane Knitted Jersey Abstract Brown Black Dress Fabric Fold 83B89Eb6 Cde3 435F 9Ca0 D13D316Fe795

    Mila

    Our viscose and elastane blend jersey fabric features an abstract print made up of brown, black, orange, white and grey hues.

    £14.96 per metre
  • + More colours Workwear - Osprey Workwear Osprey Black Cotton Twill Trousering Fabric Roll
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    Workwear - Osprey

    Black 156cm fine cotton twill. Lightweight 210gsm 100% cotton with a subtle sheen. Soft, sturdy feel.

    £9.26 per metre
  • + More colours Checked Flat Double Gauze - Black Checked Flat Double Gauze Black Jacquard Woven Cotton Dress Fabric Cu 2

    Checked Flat Double Gauze - Black

    Dual-Layer 156cm Black Check Gauze. 140gsm. 100% Cotton. Soft flat-woven jacquard shirting fabric.

    (1)
    £11.00 per metre
  • + More colours Cotton Jersey - Black & White Stripe Cotton Jersey Black White Stripe Pinstripe Elastane Stretch Top Fabric Fold

    Cotton Jersey - Black & White Stripe

    Fine Stripe 200gsm Cotton Jersey. 150cm width. Breathable everyday fabric for tops and skirts.

    £16.66 per metre
  • Printed Ponte - Leopard - Grey Printed ponte leopard grey black animal skin print 2

    Printed Ponte - Leopard - Grey

    155cm wide, 55% polyester, 45% viscose Ponte Roma jersey fabric with a leopard print design in grey.

    £14.00 per metre
  • Viscose Jersey - Pebble Mix Pebble Mix Jersey Black Beige Abstract Viscose Lycra Stretch Knit Tshirt Fabric
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    Viscose Jersey - Pebble Mix

    150cm wide, soft & stretchy viscose jersey fabric with a abstract pebble design in black and beige.

    (1)
    £5.60 per metre £7.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy+ More colours Punto Milano - Black Punto Milano Black Viscose Elastane Rib Stretch Knit Trouser Fabric Roll 5A9E9E52 153F 4714 A1Cb 8A95E03A8309
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    Punto Milano - Black

    Superior quality Italian Punto Di Milano fabric in black, composed of 97% viscose and 3% elastane.

    £18.50 per metre
  • Made in Italy Monza Denim - 14oz - Charcoal Monza Denim 14oz Charcoal Cotton Elastane Stretch Woven Trouser Fabric Fold

    Monza Denim - 14oz - Charcoal

    Heavy 14oz charcoal denim. 147cm wide with 5% vertical warp stretch. Firm, durable workwear handle.

    £23.50 per metre
  • Moonlit Tide - Black Moonlit Tide Black White Cotton Seersucker Woven Dress Fabric
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    Moonlit Tide - Black

    Black and white seersucker fabric, 145cm wide, with an abstract textured print.

    £12.76 per metre
  • Made in Italy Tiny Tim Three Fine Dogtooth Check Wool Shirting Fabric Tiny Tim Three

    Tiny Tim Three

    Woven in Italy, this fine shirt fabric features a small check made up of black & grey yarns. Made from 100% wool.

    £20.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Monza Denim - 12.7oz - Black Monza Denim 12 7oz Black Cotton Elastane Stretch Woven Trouser Fabric Fold
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    Monza Denim - 12.7oz - Black

    Deep black 138cm Italian denim. 12.7oz deadstock cotton with 5% warp stretch. Clean woven finish.

    £23.50 per metre
  • Cranberry Brocade Cranberry Brocade Polyester Cotton Black Red Jacquard Floral Leaf Dress Fabric Roll
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    Cranberry Brocade

    Jewel-Toned Floral Brocade. 148cm wide. Woven leafy design in red & forest green. Midweight drape.

    £19.50 per metre
  • Super Cupro - Latte Super cupro latte viscose leaf print beige black soft dress fabric mannequin
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    20% off

    Super Cupro - Latte

    Super soft, 140cm wide, Cupro & viscose blend fabric, with a black leaf print on a beige ground.

    £14.80 per metre £18.50 per metre
  • Mona - Luxury Ponte - Jet Black Mona luxury ponte jet black

    Mona - Luxury Ponte - Jet Black

    148cm wide jet black luxury ponte fabric, 350gsm. A stretch fabric with a smooth, refined finish

    £16.00 per metre
  • Inca Inca Striped Ponco Multicoloured Cotton Poly Mix Suiting Jacketing Fabric Close Up Fabric Photo

    Inca

    Multi-coloured Inca stripe fabric, 150cm wide for jackets, décor and statement sewing.

    £12.00 per metre
  • JK - Phoebe Jk Phoebe Digitally Printed Floral Grey Black Satin Dress Fabric Close Up Drape Fabric Photo 2

    JK - Phoebe

    This beautiful, slinky satin fabric has a nude and cream floral print on a charcoal black background. This is ideal for stunning tops, blouses, skirts and dresses.

    £14.00 per metre
  • Pima Cotton Lawn - Pollyanna Pima Cotton Lawn In The Dark Black Floral Multicoloured Design Fine Cotton Lawn Dress Shirting Fabric Close Up Fabric Photo

    Pima Cotton Lawn - Pollyanna

    Black Pima cotton lawn, 140cm wide. Red & cobalt floral woven yarn. Smooth, superfine fabric.

    £15.50 per metre
  • Sportsgear Sports Gear Black Polyamide Spandex Stretch Smooth Leisure Wear Fabric

    Sportsgear

    140cm wide, 85% polyamide 15% spandex fabric in black. Perfect for form-fitting garments.

    £17.50 per metre
  • Made in Britain Kentish Wool Kentish Wool Black White Houndstooth Check British Suiting Fabric Roll

    Kentish Wool

    150cm wide, British fine wool suiting fabric featuring a Prince of Wales check weave in black and white.

    (2)
    £33.00 per metre
  • Made in Britain Quilted - Matte Black Quilted matte black water resistant nylon british wadded coating fabric fold

    Quilted - Matte Black

    Matte black 150cm quilted nylon, diamond stitch, water-resistant, with lightweight 1oz padding.

    £24.00 per metre
  • Midnight Jungle Midnight Jungle Black Blue Polyester Spandex Print Dress Fabric Fold
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    Midnight Jungle

    This interesting black and blue fabric made from a blend of polyester and spandex is ideal for dressmaking!

    (1)
    £18.00 per metre
  • + More colours Fibre Mood - Seersucker Check - Teal Fibre Mood Seersucker Check Teal Black Cotton Polyester Elastane Stretch Woven Shirting Fabric
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    Fibre Mood - Seersucker Check - Teal

    Teal and black seersucker fabric, 145cm wide, with a lightweight checked stretch weave.

    £14.00 per metre
  • Fuss and Bother Fuss And Bother Black Polyester Viscose Wool Elastane Suiting Fabric Roll

    Fuss and Bother

    150cm wide, black twill suiting fabric with soft drape. Polyester, viscose, wool and elastane blend.

    (1)
    £12.76 per metre
  • Made in Italy+ More colours Coalport - Grey Fine Dogtooth Check Wool Shirting Fabric Coalport Grey Fold
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    Coalport - Grey

    Woven in Italy, our ex-designer, deadstock superfine wool suiting fabric features a grey check, ideal for shirts.

    £20.00 per metre

Choosing the right dress fabric

The right fabric depends on the garment you're making, the season, and how the finished piece should move. Lightweight fabrics like cotton lawn, voile and silk work well for summer dresses and floaty blouses. Mid-weight cottons, linen and viscose are reliable all-season choices for structured and relaxed styles alike. For tailored pieces and occasionwear, crepe, satin and wool suiting give the finish and body that lighter fabrics can't.

If you're working from a pattern, check the recommended fabric type and weight first. Most patterns list suitable fibres, and using the right weight makes fitting and construction much easier. When buying online, ordering a sample is always worthwhile - colour and handle can differ from what you see on screen.

At Croft Mill, much of our dress fabric range is ex-designer or mill-end stock sourced directly from textile mills in the UK, Italy and across Europe. That means quality that's difficult to find on the high street, often at a fraction of the original price.

What's the most popular fabric for making dresses?

Cotton and viscose are the most widely used dress fabrics for everyday makes. Cotton is easy to sew, available in a huge range of prints and weights, and comfortable to wear year-round. Viscose drapes beautifully and suits wrap dresses, shirt dresses and anything that needs movement. For special occasions, silk and satin are the go-to choices.

How much dress fabric do I need?

For a simple shift or tea dress, 2–2.5 metres is usually sufficient up to a size 16. Dresses with full skirts, pleats or long sleeves will need more - typically 3–4 metres. Always check your pattern's fabric requirements before buying, and allow a little extra for pattern matching or nap direction.

Can I buy dress fabric by the metre at Croft Mill?

Yes, all our dress fabrics are sold by the metre. You can buy as little as half a metre on most lines, with fabric cut in one continuous length. If you need a larger quantity or have a specific project in mind, contact us and we'll do our best to help.

What's the difference between woven and knit dress fabrics?

Woven fabrics - cotton, linen, silk, crepe - don't stretch along the grain and are best used with standard dressmaking patterns. Knit fabrics - jersey, viscose jersey, ponte - have natural stretch and are designed for patterns that call for stretch fabric specifically. Using the wrong type will affect fit and how the garment behaves.

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