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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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  • Polka Sparkle Chiffon Polyester Spotty Dress Fabric Polka Sparkle Chiffon Twist

    Polka Sparkle Chiffon

    149cm wide, polyester chiffon fabric in black with white polka dots and scattered gold foil dots.

    £12.26 per metre
  • Stretch Glitter Velvet - Black Polyester Elastane Dress Fabric Stretch Glitter Velvet Black Twist

    Stretch Glitter Velvet - Black

    149cm wide, polyester stretch black glitter velvet jersey fabric. Ideal for glamourous evening wear.

    £15.46 per metre
  • Bronzed Glitz - Floral Sequins Polyester Elastane Net Velvet Fabric Bronzed Glitz Floral Sequins Twist

    Bronzed Glitz - Floral Sequins

    145cm wide, polyester & elastane velvet netted sequin fabric with bronze floral sequin detailing.

    £38.00 per metre
  • + More colours Dread Naught - New Black Dread Naught New Black Polyester Woven Suiting Fabric Roll

    Dread Naught - New Black

    This 144cm wide, polyester suiting fabric in black is excellent for formal wear, dressmaking and special occasions!

    £7.50 per metre
  • Raven Raven Black Satin Polyester Nylon Dress Fabric Fold

    Raven

    142cm wide, polyester and nylon blend jersey dress fabric in black with a satin finish, excellent for leggings!

    £7.00 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
  • Made in Italy Flowing Satin - Pinky Pinky Cream Black Pink Floral Print Viscose Dress Fabric Roll

    Flowing Satin - Pinky

    147cm wide, soft flowing viscose satin with abstract floral design in black and pink.

    £19.00 per metre
  • Rope Knit - Black Rope Knit Black Rayon Nylon Polyester Cable Knit Stretch Jersey Dress Fabric

    Rope Knit - Black

    Rayon, nylon and polyester blend cable knit jersey fabric in black, perfect for stretchy cardigans or jumpers.

    (1)
    £16.50 per metre
  • Made in Italy Diamond Drape Italian Viscose Black Diamond Dress Fabric Diamond Drape Roll

    Diamond Drape

    147cm wide, 100% viscose dress fabric in black with a small diamond weave. Woven in Italy.

    £18.76 per metre
  • Viper Viper Printed Satin Polyester Animal Skin Dress Fabric Mannequin

    Viper

    Our black snake skin printed satin dress fabric made from polyester is ideal for leggings, dresses and skirts!

    £7.00 per metre
  • + More colours 100% Wool Fleece - Black

    100% Wool Fleece - Black

    Classic black Australian virgin wool fleece, 143cm wide and made from 100% wool.

    £29.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Office Office Viscose Black Satin Woven Dress Fabric Roll

    Office

    136cm wide, viscose suiting fabric in classic black, woven in Italy. Smooth, fluid and breathable.

    £21.50 per metre
  • Made in Italy Sicilian Fiesta Sicilian Fiesta Cotton Polyester Black Lace Net Geometric Dress Fabric Roll

    Sicilian Fiesta

    124cm wide, Italian black lace fabric with a geometric pattern.

    £16.50 per metre
  • What Goes Around - Navy Viscose Fine Rib Trouser Fabric What Goes Around Navy Fold

    What Goes Around - Navy

    146cm wide grosgrain dress fabric. Dark navy viscose shirting and trouser fabric with a fine ribbed weave and interesting wood grain effect.

    £7.00 per metre
  • + More colours 8oz Washed Denim - Black

    8oz Washed Denim - Black

    8oz washed black denim, 160cm wide with soft handle and classic twill finish.

    (1)
    £13.00 per metre
  • + More colours Pure Luxury - Boiled Wool - Black Pure Luxury Boiled Wool Dress Fabric Black Fold2

    Pure Luxury - Boiled Wool - Black

    Luxurious quality, 140cm wide, 100% boiled wool fabric in black, perfect for jackets and coats!

    £32.50 per metre
  • + More colours Sewing Room - William - Black Sewing Room William Black Roll

    Sewing Room - William - Black

    Black paisley cotton fabric, 113cm wide with red, yellow and sage green detailing.

    £8.50 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
  • 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
  • Printed - Black Chiffon Printed Black Chiffon Polyester Multicoloured Pink Orange Floral Drape 2

    Printed - Black Chiffon

    Gorgeous printed black polyester chiffon with a multicoloured floral pattern in pink, ivory and orange.

    £6.50 per metre
  • Time Warp Time Warp Ex Designer Large Shiny Black Dots Polyester Spandex Swirl

    Time Warp

    140cm wide, 92% polyester, 8% spandex knitted fabric coated in a grey shiny dot pattern. Plenty of stretch to allow extravagant movement.

    (1)
    £17.00 per metre
  • Hopelessly Devoted Hopelessly Devoted Knitted Coated Dotty Black Polyester Jersey Fabric Reverse Fabric Photo 1
    30% off

    Hopelessly Devoted

    140cm wide, 92% polyester, 8% spandex knitted fabric coated in a black shiny dot pattern. Plenty of stretch to allow extravagant movement.

    £11.90 per metre £17.00 per metre
  • Premium Challis - Black Challis Black Floral Viscose Challis Dress Blouse

    Premium Challis - Black

    145cm wide, high twist printed viscose challis with a cream and aqua floral pattern on black.

    £10.00 per metre
  • + More colours Pima Cotton Lawn - Midnight Fall - Black Pima Cotton Lawn Dressmaking Fabric Midnight Fall Black Side

    Pima Cotton Lawn - Midnight Fall - Black

    Inky blue/black petal print cotton lawn fabric, 140cm wide with soft light feel.

    £15.50 per metre
  • Mansfield Mansfield Polyester Silver Dress Fabric S

    Mansfield

    145cm wide dark silver very fine polyester dress fabric with oodles of stretch....

    £18.00 per metre
  • + More colours Stretch Duchess Satin - Black

    Stretch Duchess Satin - Black

    140cm wide, 97% polyester 3% elastane heavy duchess satin. This cloth might be used for brides, bridesmaid and prom dresses.

    (3)
    £12.00 per metre
  • + More colours Dread Naught - Black Dread Naught Black Black Dress Suiting Fabric Cu

    Dread Naught - Black

    150cm wide, 73% polyester, 21% viscose, 6% elastane, light weight, suiting in black. Virtually creaseless easy care with a soft finish.

    £7.00 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
  • + More colours Yoryu Chiffon - Black Yoryu Chiffon - Black

    Yoryu Chiffon - Black

    140cm wide black polyester Yuryu chiffon dress fabric.

    £4.50 per metre
  • + More colours Luxury Satin Backed Crepe - Black Luxury Satin Backed Crepe Black Pink Dressmaking Fabric

    Luxury Satin Backed Crepe - Black

    Black PU coated polyester satin backed crepe, approx 215gsm with a clean, polished look.

    (1)
    £16.50 per metre
  • Black Wool with Cashmere Coating

    Black Wool with Cashmere Coating

    Made from a blend of wool, polyester and cashmere, this timeless black coating fabric is perfect for outerwear!

    (3)
    £34.00 per metre
  • A Dark Secret

    A Dark Secret

    This superb black poly/viscose/Lycra blend fabric has a dull satin finish and approximately 7oz weight. A Dark Secret is perfect for dress-making.

    (1)
    £8.96 per metre
  • Maypole Maypole Beautiful Black Polyester

    Maypole

    60 wide fairly heavy

    (1)
    £9.96 per metre
  • Made in Italy+ More colours Abruzzi Twill - Black Italian Cotton Cashmere Twill Trousering Fabric Abruzzi Twill Black Fold
    Sold out

    Abruzzi Twill - Black

    Luxury black Italian cotton cashmere twill, 270gsm with an exceptionally soft handle and gentle give.

    £18.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Silks of Italy - Black Satin Italian Plain Dress Fabric Silks of Italy - Black Satin CU
    Sold out

    Silks of Italy - Black Satin

    Italian 100% silk satin with a lustrous finish, fluid drape and beautifully soft handle.

    (2)
    £27.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Silks of Italy - Nero Matte Black Dress Fabric Silks of Italy - Nero Hang
    Sold out

    Silks of Italy - Nero

    Luxury Italian ex-designer 100% silk with a refined matte finish and beautifully fluid drape.

    £24.00 per metre
  • French Style French Style Black Polyester Cotton Acrylic Tweed Boucle Coating Fabric Hang
    Sold out

    French Style

    Black textured tweed bouclé suiting fabric with designer character and excellent body for jackets.

    (1)
    £18.00 per metre
  • Denimfest - 8.7oz Drew Denimfest 8.7oz Drew Black Cotton Midweight Woven Jean Trouser Fabric Hang
    Sold out
    20% off

    Denimfest - 8.7oz Drew

    Black cotton denim fabric with rustic twill texture and vintage character. 190cm wide.

    £8.00 per metre £10.00 per metre
  • Denimfest - 9.6oz Daniel Denimfest 9.6oz Daniel Black Cotton Midweight Woven Jean Trouser Fabric Edge
    Sold out

    Denimfest - 9.6oz Daniel

    199cm wide black cotton denim fabric with dense twill weave and crisp structured handle.

    £10.00 per metre
  • Viscose Linen - Rorschach Viscose Linen Rorschach John Louden Black Cream Abstract Woven Dress Fabric Mannequin
    Sold out

    Viscose Linen - Rorschach

    Abstract linen viscose dress fabric with fluid drape and soft monochrome ink-style print.

    (1)
    £9.50 per metre
  • + More colours Bamboo Jersey 180 - Black Bamboo Jersey 180 Black Spandex Plain Knit Jersey Fabric CU
    Sold out

    Bamboo Jersey 180 - Black

    Soft black bamboo spandex jersey fabric with elegant drape and comfortable natural stretch.

    (1)
    £11.00 per metre
  • Shadow Jacquard Shadow Jacquard
    Sold out

    Shadow Jacquard

    123cm black floral jacquard, cotton blend stretch, lightweight 132gsm fabric for dresses.

    £8.50 per metre
  • + More colours Philly - Coal Philly - Coal
    Sold out

    Philly - Coal

    German-made 150cm wool flannel fabric in coal grey, an ex-designer cloth for refined tailoring.

    £28.00 per metre
  • Black & White Inky Floral Black White Inky Floral Viscose Woven Dress Fabric Fold
    Sold out

    Black & White Inky Floral

    Black And White Floral Viscose Crepe Dress Fabric.

    £9.00 per metre
  • + More colours Signature Linen - Black Signature Linen Black Plain Woven Dress Fabric Fold
    Sold out

    Signature Linen - Black

    Black 100% linen fabric, 145cm wide and 230gsm, plain woven for dresses and tailoring.

    (2)
    £12.50 per metre
  • + More colours Batik - Floral Vines Batik Floral Vines Cream Black Cotton Hand Printed Abstract Woven Dress Fabric Fold
    Sold out

    Batik - Floral Vines

    110cm black and cream batik cotton with floral design. Lightweight, breathable and smooth.

    £10.50 per metre
  • Night Time Silk Night Time Silk Black Plain Woven Dress Fabric Fold
    Sold out

    Night Time Silk

    Lightweight 100% silk fabric in classic black with a soft drape, ideal for blouses, dresses and elegant garments.

    (1)
    £15.00 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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