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Dress Fabrics for Dressmaking

Dress Fabrics for Dressmaking

Dressmaking fabrics and dress materials for every kind of make, sourced from mills across the UK and Europe, with much of it ex-designer or mill-end stock. Browse everything here, or shop by fibre: cotton fabric, linen, viscose fabric, silk, wool and jersey. Fabrics are sold by the metre or half metre depending on the fabric, and many can be sampled before you buy.
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  • + More colours Silk Crepe de Chine - 16 Momme - Black Silk Crepe De Chine Black Italian Ex Designer Plain Woven Deadstock Dress Fabric Fold

    Silk Crepe de Chine - 16 Momme - Black

    Luxurious 16 momme silk crepe de chine, with a soft matte drape and subtle texture in black.

    (1)
    £45.00 per metre
  • + More colours Taffeta - Flocked Flakes Black Christmas Craft Fabric Polyester Taffeta Flocked Snowflakes Black Silver Roll

    Taffeta - Flocked Flakes Black

    Brilliantly festive Taffeta dressmaking fabric in black with a lustrous surface, featuring a soft flocked silver snowflake design.

    £7.00 per metre
  • Waffle - Black Waffle Black Cotton Woven Textured Pyjama Fabric Fold 456F5Bc0 096C 4B23 Bb52 E63597D169Da

    Waffle - Black

    Black cotton waffle fabric, 140cm wide, soft textured weave for loungewear and home makes.

    £10.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy+ More colours MarineBlu Viscose - Elisa - Orange Marineblu Viscose Elisa Viscose Floral Colourful Italian Deadstock Dress Fabric Fold

    MarineBlu Viscose - Elisa - Orange

    Italian, ex-designer, deadstock viscose dress fabric featuring a colourful small-scale floral print on a black ground.

    £23.00 per metre
  • Ember Glow Ember Glow Black Orange Abstract Viscose Dress Fabric

    Ember Glow

    This viscose poplin fabric features a bold & dynamic pattern in vivid orange against a black ground.

    (1)
    £9.96 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
  • Cilla - II Marocaine Viscose Crepe Dress Fabric Black Floral Cilla Close Up

    Cilla - II

    Our black and yellow floral polyester Marocain has a crepe-like feel. Ideal for tops, trousers and dresses. A medium weight cloth with a lovely drape.

    £7.00 per metre
  • Bold Lines - Blue Large Stripe Jersey Dress Fabric Bold Lines Blue Twist
    20% off

    Bold Lines - Blue

    Blue/Black Stripe Melange Jersey. 175cm extra wide. 210gsm cotton-lycra stretch for loungewear.

    £8.40 per metre £10.50 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
  • Superior Heavy Black Dress Fabric Ex Designer Knitted Form Fitting Dress Fabric Black Bodycon Cu2

    Superior Heavy Black Dress Fabric

    140cm wide, polyester, viscose, and Lycra jersey fabric in black. Ex-designer cloth made in Spain.

    (1)
    £14.76 per metre
  • + More colours Linen Look - Black Linen Look Black Polyester Dress Fabric Fold

    Linen Look - Black

    150cm wide, linen look dress fabric in black, made completely from polyester, perfect for skirts and blouses!

    £7.50 per metre
  • + More colours All Saints Black

    All Saints Black

    150cm wide superfine, supersoft viscose voile dress fabric in blackest black. Perfect for summer shirts and dresses!

    £9.50 per metre
  • + More colours Marlow - Black Marlow Fur Backed Synthetic Leather Black 2076205001 Fold

    Marlow - Black

    This 141cm wide faux leather fabric in black features a soft, furry backing ideal for creating comfortable and fashionable jackets, skirts, trousers and more.

    £20.00 per metre
  • + More colours Light & Lush - Stoneleaf Light And Lush Stoneleaf Green Black Viscose Twill Turkish Fabric Bolt

    Light & Lush - Stoneleaf

    A Lovely 150m wide, 100% viscose fabric featuring a rich, earthy abstract print in deep olive green and black, this viscose fabric brings a bold, graphic edge to your sewing.

    (1)
    £20.00 per metre
  • A Fling

    A Fling

    140cm wide, black and grey check shirting fabric made from 69% viscose, 30% acrylic and 1% elastane.

    £12.00 per metre
  • Audrey Large Dogtooth Knit Black White Polyester Wool Fabric Audrey Cu

    Audrey

    Chunky black and ivory dogtooth knitted fabric in a soft polyester and wool blend, 150cm wide.

    £22.50 per metre
  • + More colours Hoffman Bali Cotton Lawn - Spectrum Hoffman Bali Cotton Lawn Spectrum Black Multi Abstract Indonesian Fabric

    Hoffman Bali Cotton Lawn - Spectrum

    112cm wide hand-painted Hoffman cotton lawn. Rainbow floral fabric. Fine woven black cotton yarn.

    £16.50 per metre
  • JK - Midnight Chance Polyester Chiffon Dress Fabric Indogo Black Midnight Chance Dress

    JK - Midnight Chance

    Glorious indigo and black polyester chiffon dress fabric with a floral pattern. This is a 'flat' chiffon. It is beautiful, soft and looks fabulous.

    £8.00 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
  • + More colours Viscose Tencel Finish - Black Viscose Tencel Finish Black Polyester Plain Soft Pique Knit Leisure Wear Fabric Fold

    Viscose Tencel Finish - Black

    160cm wide, viscose and polyester knitted pique fabric in black with a soft Tencel finish.

    £17.96 per metre
  • + More colours Oliver Viscose Twill - Black Oliver Viscose Twill Black Plain Fine Lightweight Dress Woven Fabric
    Sold out

    Oliver Viscose Twill - Black

    150cm wide, 100% viscose twill fabric in black. Perfect for dresses, skirts, tops, & trousers.

    £11.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Doppio Doppio Inwool Viscose Stretch Knit Polyamide Sports Fabric Roll

    Doppio

    158cm wide, viscose/nylon double knit lightweight scuba fabric in black/dark navy. Woven in Italy.

    £22.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Italian Guipure Lace - Black Italian Guipure Lace Black Floral Viscose Polyester Ex Designer Deadstock Structured Dress Fabric Face

    Italian Guipure Lace - Black

    129cm wide, Italian ex-designer floral guipure lace fabric in black. Beautiful for a special occasion.

    £30.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Formality Formality Cotton Elastane Black Suiting Woven Fabric Roll

    Formality

    135cm wide black Italian suiting. Cotton and elastane yarn. Woven fabric with comfort stretch.

    £19.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Dense But Nice Dense But Nice Wool Stretch Black Italian Suiting Fabric Roll

    Dense But Nice

    140cm wide, black wool coating fabric, lightweight yet densely woven, with a soft luxurious finish.

    £36.00 per metre
  • + More colours Foil Quilting - Black Foil Quilting Black Polyester Wadded Diamond Coating Fabric

    Foil Quilting - Black

    Glossy black foil quilting fabric with diamond stitching, 135cm wide and ideal for outerwear.

    £22.50 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
  • + More colours Poplin Print - Meadow - Red Poplin Print Meadow Red Floral Cotton Poplin

    Poplin Print - Meadow - Red

    Red floral cotton poplin dress fabric on black, 112cm wide woven fabric for crafts and clothing.

    £8.00 per metre
  • Blackout

    Blackout

    153cm black cotton poplin shirting fabric, lightweight woven fabric for shirts and dresses.

    £9.50 per metre
  • Made in Britain+ More colours Sackcloth And Ashes - Black Sackcloth And Ashes Black Wool Woven Suiting Fabric Fold

    Sackcloth And Ashes - Black

    158cm wide, fine sack weave wool suiting in black with a subtle textured finish. Woven in Britain.

    £29.00 per metre
  • Pima Cotton Lawn - Shan Black Pima Cotton Lawn Shan Black Dress Fabric Hang

    Pima Cotton Lawn - Shan Black

    140cm black Pima cotton lawn fabric with ivory red fan print, lightweight luxury woven fabric.

    £15.50 per metre
  • + More colours Bella Satin Stretch - Black Bella Satin Stretch Black Polyester Elastane Smooth Dressmaking Fabric Mannequin

    Bella Satin Stretch - Black

    Smooth black stretch satin with a glossy finish, 147cm wide and ideal for occasionwear.

    £14.50 per metre
  • Frills and Frocks Frills And Frocks Black Polyester Check Net Square Pattern Fabric Roll

    Frills and Frocks

    140cm wide, polyester black net fabric with a 5cm square crochet weave pattern and net fringing.

    (2)
    £19.00 per metre
  • Sequin Lace - Gatsby Sequin Lace Gatsby Polyester Black Silver Square Net Dress Fabric Roll

    Sequin Lace - Gatsby

    140cm wide, lightweight 100% polyester sequin lace in black with silver sequins on a net base.

    £17.00 per metre
  • Viscose Jersey - Zebrush Viscose Jersey Zebrush Zebra Print Black White Knit Jersey Fabric Fold
    30% off

    Viscose Jersey - Zebrush

    150cm wide, fine viscose jersey fabric in cream with a black abstract design. 235gsm.

    £8.40 per metre £12.00 per metre
  • + More colours Harmony Knits - Black Harmony Knits Black Viscose Polyester Polyamide Soft Knitted Jersey Fabric Cu 38C440A4 A582 4C2C 8053 97Ac7A25B437

    Harmony Knits - Black

    Our black knitted jersey fabric is 158cm wide, made from viscose, polyester and polyamide, ideal for soft jumpers!

    £17.00 per metre
  • + More colours Spider Web - Black Spider Web Black Nlyon Raschel Lace Dress Fabric B3

    Spider Web - Black

    Spider web netting in black for that is ideal for Halloween costumes & fancy dress & decoration's.

    £5.26 per metre
  • Italian Suede Backed Faux Leather Listen Carefully Black Polyamide Velvet Ribbed Leather Dress Fabric Roll

    Italian Suede Backed Faux Leather

    148cm wide, Italian faux leather with suede backing in black. 245gsm, soft with a hint of stretch.

    £18.00 per metre
  • + More colours Gingham Chambray - Black Finest Gingham Black Cotton Checked Shirting Craft Fabric Close Up Fabric Photo Thumbnail Custom

    Gingham Chambray - Black

    100% cotton chambray in black and white gingham check, a lightweight cotton fabric for dressmaking & quilting.

    £11.50 per metre
  • Jackson Jersey Jackson Jersey Black Polyester Elastane Stretch Pattern Abstract Knit Fabric Fold

    Jackson Jersey

    145cm wide, black polyester jersey with dark grey embossed shine. Soft, stable and easy to sew.

    £11.76 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 Night Rider - Black Night Rider Black Wool Italian Fine Suiting Fabric Roll

    Night Rider - Black

    153cm wide, lightweight 100% wool suiting fabric in black. Made in Italy with a soft handle.

    £35.00 per metre
  • Jeanette Jeanette Black Cream Abstract Floral Viscose Dress Fabric Drape

    Jeanette

    150cm wide, viscose dress fabric featuring a cream floral print on a black ground, perfect for blouses and skirts!

    £10.50 per metre
  • + More colours Raye - Black Raye Black Fine Polyester Linen Look Dress Fabric Fols

    Raye - Black

    146cm wide, black polyester fabric that offers the look & feel of linen whilst being crease resistant.

    £11.26 per metre
  • + More colours Sewing Room - Ivy - Grey Sewing Room Ivy Black Dress Fabric Swirl

    Sewing Room - Ivy - Grey

    Superior quality cotton poplin in white with an ivy print in grey and black. 113cm wide.

    (1)
    £8.50 per metre
  • + More colours The Undertaker Two

    The Undertaker Two

    156cm wide, 100% wool flannel fabric with a fine twill weave in black, perfect for suiting.

    £30.00 per metre
  • + More colours Satin Viscose - Arizona Satin Viscose Arizona Floral Abstract Black Pink Woven Dress Fabric Mannequin

    Satin Viscose - Arizona

    148cm wide viscose satin dress fabric in with an abstract paisley print in psychedelic hues on a black ground.

    £14.50 per metre

The right dressmaking fabric starts with the pattern. Most patterns list suitable fabrics on the envelope or in the instructions, and following that guidance on fibre, weight and stretch makes fitting and construction much easier. If a pattern suggests "light to medium-weight wovens such as cotton lawn, viscose challis or linen", any of those will work. If it says "stretch knits only", a woven won't.

Choosing fabric for the garment

Summer dresses and blouses suit lightweight fabrics with drape, such as cotton lawn, voile, viscose challis, silk and lightweight linen.

Shirts, skirts and everyday dresses need a little more body. Cotton poplin, shirting, linen and viscose twill all hold their shape without feeling stiff.

Tailoring and occasionwear call for crepe, satin and wool suiting, which have the weight and finish that lighter fabrics can't give.

Stretch patterns are designed for knits such as jersey and ponte. Using a woven where a pattern asks for stretch will change the fit.

Natural fibres and blends both have their place. Cotton, linen, silk and wool breathe well and are comfortable next to the skin, while blends can add stretch, cut down on creasing or make a fabric easier to care for. The composition is listed on every product page.

Where our dressmaking fabrics come from

Much of the range is ex-designer or mill-end stock, bought directly from textile mills in the UK, Italy and across Europe. That's why you'll find Italian wools, silks and printed viscoses alongside everyday cottons, and why some lines are limited: once a mill-end piece has sold, it may not come back. Our ex-designer fabrics collection gathers the branded and designer pieces together.

How much fabric to buy

Check the fabric requirements on your pattern for your size and the width of the fabric you've chosen, which is shown on every product page. If you're not working from a pattern, our fabric calculator gives an estimate for common garments. Buy everything for one project in a single order, as a later order may come from a different dye lot.

What is the most popular fabric for dressmaking?

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

How much fabric do I need to make a dress?

For a simple shift or tea dress, 2-2.5 metres is often enough, depending on your size and the fabric width. Dresses with full skirts, pleats or long sleeves need more, often 3-4 metres. Always check your pattern's fabric requirements first, and allow extra for pattern matching or a one-way print. Our fabric calculator gives an estimate for common garments.

Can I buy dressmaking fabric by the half metre?

On many fabrics, yes. Fabrics priced over £10 a metre can be bought from half a metre, in half-metre steps. Fabrics at £10 a metre or less have a minimum of one metre, then go up in half metres. Whatever you order is cut in one continuous length.

What is the difference between woven and knit dressmaking fabrics?

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

Can I order a sample of dressmaking fabric before buying?

Most of our dressmaking fabrics have an Order Sample button on the product page, so you can check the colour, weight and handle before buying a full length. A few limited lines aren't sampled, in which case a half metre is the alternative where the fabric allows it.

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