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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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  • 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 Kitty Cotton - Pink

    Kitty Cotton - Pink

    Ivory Pink Cat Print Cotton. 148cm wide. 100% Woven Cotton. Soft kitty & floral design for crafts.

    £13.50 per metre
  • + More colours Kitty Cotton - Blue

    Kitty Cotton - Blue

    Tranquil Blue Cat Print Cotton. 148cm wide. 100% Woven Cotton. Adorable kitty and floral ivory base.

    £13.50 per metre
  • Linen Mix - Scarlet Linen mix scarlet red dress fabric roll

    Linen Mix - Scarlet

    Our stretch viscose linen mix shirting fabric in scarlet red is 130cm, perfect for shorts, blouses and tunics!

    £10.50 per metre
  • + More colours Stof Avalana Jersey - Buds Grey Stof cotton jersey buds grey elastane oeko tex knitted fabric cu

    Stof Avalana Jersey - Buds Grey

    Grey Floral Bud Knitted Jersey. 160cm wide. 95% Cotton, 5% Elastane. 205gsm. Soft & high stretch.

    £15.96 per metre
  • + More colours Draping Stretch Viscose Challis - Thicket Stretch poplin thicket viscose elastane brown green dress fabric fold

    Draping Stretch Viscose Challis - Thicket

    134cm wide, viscose and elastane mix fabric featuring a leaf print on a black ground, ideal for dressmaking and loose palazzo pants!

    (1)
    £14.50 per metre
  • + More colours The Big Stretch - Brown The big stretch brown abstract viscose polyamide elastane dress fabric twist
    50% off

    The Big Stretch - Brown

    150cm wide, viscose, polyamide & elastane twill bengaline with a brown & beige abstract print.

    £9.00 per metre £18.00 per metre
  • Monroe - Ivory Monroe white ex designer cotton polyester blend diamond quilted fabric bolt

    Monroe - Ivory

    Ivory Ex-Designer Diamond Quilted Fabric. 160cm wide. 80% Cotton blend. 360gsm for cozy house coats.

    £18.00 per metre
  • + More colours Brushed & Cosy - Dennis Brushed cosy dennis check stone black white cotton flannel fabric cu
    Sold out

    Brushed & Cosy - Dennis

    Yellow & Black Brushed Cotton Check. 147cm wide. 100% Cotton. 130gsm. Cosy feel for flannel shirts.

    (1)
    £8.00 per metre
  • + More colours Brushed & Cosy - Charlie Brushed cosy charlie check stone black white cotton flannel fabric shirt

    Brushed & Cosy - Charlie

    Stone Checked Brushed Cotton. 147cm width. 130gsm. 100% Cotton flannel for pyjamas and scarves.

    £8.00 per metre
  • Bygone Lining - No. 1

    Bygone Lining - No. 1

    140cm wide, dark brown lining fabric made from durable nylon, with a soft satin finish.

    £4.76 per metre
  • + More colours Stof Avalana Jersey - Pablo Stof cotton jersey pablo penguin print blue oeko tex elastane knitted fabric cu

    Stof Avalana Jersey - Pablo

    Blue Spotted Penguin Cotton Jersey. 150cm width. 205gsm weight. Flexible knit for kids' winter wear.

    £15.96 per metre
  • Cotton Ponte - Cream Cotton ponte cream elastane stretch drill knitted jersey fabric fold

    Cotton Ponte - Cream

    Plain Cream Cotton Ponte Roma Jersey. 135cm wide. 95% Cotton, 5% Elastane. Stable, midweight knit.

    £12.00 per metre
  • Oh So Soft White polyester dress fabric navy diamonds oh so s

    Oh So Soft

    Soft Navy Diamond Print Blend. 140cm width. Durable cotton/poly weave for effortless dressmaking.

    £9.00 per metre
  • + More colours Wassabi - Purple Wassabi purple cotton spandex abstract woven stretch trouser fabric fold

    Wassabi - Purple

    Wild Abstract Suiting Cotton. 142cm wide. 98% Cotton, 2% Spandex. 170gsm. Bold multicoloured print.

    (1)
    £9.26 per metre
  • Made in Italy Lambs Leather - Silver Italian lambs hide fabric lambs leather silver cu2

    Lambs Leather - Silver

    Italian-made lambskin nappa leather in silver: soft, supple, premium quality. Ideal for small projects, sold as full skins.

    £55.68 p/u
  • Opaline Brocade - Mint Opaline brocade mint cotton polyester spandex floral jacquard woven dress fabric cu

    Opaline Brocade - Mint

    Mint Tonal Cotton-Blend Brocade. 148cm width. 140gsm. Woven floral texture with 5% horizontal stretch.

    £8.46 per metre
  • Sky Dot Sky dot cotton white blue woven trousering fabric fold

    Sky Dot

    Sky Blue & White Dot Cotton Interlock. 145cm width. 190gsm. A soft, double-knit fabric for apparel.

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    £6.96 per metre
  • Bordering On Bordering on cotton elastane mustard yellow large scale floral print satin dress fabric fold

    Bordering On

    Stretch Cotton Satin with Border. 142cm width. 80gsm. Smooth sheen and expressive large blooms.

    £9.26 per metre
  • Sundial Sundial polyester elastane ivory floral pattern satin lightweight dress fabric cu

    Sundial

    140cm wide cotton embroidery in a rather delicate shade of mint green. The pattern is actually a floral but it looks like a series of sundials joined together by strands of embroidery. There quite a lot of intricate work gone in to this cloth which deserv

    £6.96 per metre
  • Made in Italy+ More colours Danbury Crepe - Magenta Danbury crepe magenta pink acetate polyester silk lightweight dress fabric bolt

    Danbury Crepe - Magenta

    142cm wide, magenta crepe dress fabric made from 86% acetate, 9% silk and 5% polyester.

    £15.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy That's Cheating - Italian Shirting Thats cheating viscose blue suiting fabric roll

    That's Cheating - Italian Shirting

    Soft Blue 100% Cotton Shirting. 145cm width. Durable woven fabric for loose trousers and skirts.

    £10.00 per metre
  • Avarni Faux Fur - Nude

    Avarni Faux Fur - Nude

    160cm wide synthetic faux fur with a chevron design. Pale nude 100% polyester fabric, perfect for dressing gowns, jackets, and home dÈcor.

    £18.50 per metre
  • + More colours Evangeline - Camel Evangeline camel square embossed polyester faux fur fabric fold

    Evangeline - Camel

    158cm wide camel/brown 100% polyester synthetic fur fabric with an embossed square design. Luxuriously soft, warm, and versatile faux fur fabric.

    £24.00 per metre
  • + More colours Quilted Crystal - Olive Polyester plain diamond quilted fabric crystal green fold

    Quilted Crystal - Olive

    Olive green 124cm wide quilted polyester fabric, perfect for autumn jackets, gilets, coats, and bags.

    £20.00 per metre
  • + More colours Quilted Crystal - Tan Polyester plain diamond quilted fabric crystal tan fold

    Quilted Crystal - Tan

    Tan brown 132cm wide quilted polyester fabric, perfect for autumn jackets, gilets, coats, and bags.

    £20.00 per metre
  • + More colours Quilted Crystal - Black Polyester plain diamond quilted fabric crystal black fold

    Quilted Crystal - Black

    128cm wide black quilted polyester fabric, perfect for autumn jackets, gilets, coats, and bags.

    £20.00 per metre
  • Pearl Stretch Velvet Stretch velvet pearl polyester elastane cream knit velour jersey fabric cu

    Pearl Stretch Velvet

    150cm wide, pearl stretch velvet fabric. Soft, stretchy and elegant, ideal for special occasion wear.

    £11.76 per metre
  • + More colours Harmony Knits - Silver Marl Harmony knits silver marl viscose polyester polyamide knitted jersey marl fabric cu

    Harmony Knits - Silver Marl

    Viscose, polyester and polyamide blend knitted jersey fabric in silver marl, ideal for soft and cosy scarves.

    (1)
    £17.00 per metre
  • Parisian Parisien orange viscose elastane plain stretch woven suiting dress fabric fold

    Parisian

    145cm wide, viscose elastane dress fabric in bright orange. Midweight with great body and drape.

    £11.00 per metre
  • + More colours Suede Scuba - Murphy Suede scuba murphy polyester spandex knitted jersey black beige abstract print dress fabric cu

    Suede Scuba - Murphy

    Our suede scuba fabric, made from polyester and spandex features a black abstract print on a beige ground.

    (1)
    £15.96 per metre
  • Peach Prada - Navy Peach prada navy blue polyester lightweight dress fabric cu

    Peach Prada - Navy

    148cm wide, medium-weight dress fabric in navy, made from 100% polyester, with a soft, peach skin finish.

    (1)
    £6.50 per metre
  • Made in Italy Grande Check - Cream Grande check cream black wool italian suiting fabric roll

    Grande Check - Cream

    148cm wide, Italian ex-designer wool suiting with a large check design in cream, black & blue.

    (1)
    £15.76 per metre
  • Made in Italy+ More colours Coalport - Green Coalport green blue tiny woven check fine wool suiting fabric fold

    Coalport - Green

    150cm wide, Italian ex-designer wool shirting fabric with a small blue and green check pattern.

    £20.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Pink Passion Jersey Pink passion jersey soft nylon stretch knitted dress fabric
    20% off

    Pink Passion Jersey

    150cm wide, ex-designer Italian soft nylon jersey fabric in cerise. Great for adding a pop of colour.

    £5.60 per metre £7.00 per metre
  • + More colours Elona - Khaki Elona khaki polyester spandex two way stretch suiting fabric cu

    Elona - Khaki

    150cm wide, polyester and spandex blend fabric with a two-way stretch and khaki green hue, ideal for palazzo pants.

    £12.00 per metre
  • Slate Stretch Slate Stretch Viscose Polyester Lycra Knit Dark Green Grey Fabric Fold

    Slate Stretch

    140cm wide, dark grey ribbed viscose and polyester jersey fabric. Lightweight, soft and breathable.

    £9.50 per metre
  • + More colours GOTS Organic French Terry - Grey Gots Organic French Terry Grey Cotton Elastane Knitted Plain Jersey Fabric Fold

    GOTS Organic French Terry - Grey

    Grey Organic French Terry. 152cm wide. GOTS Certified Cotton. 230gsm weight. Soft looped back knit.

    £15.50 per metre
  • Made in Italy Two For One Two For One Wool Double Sided Camel Brown Reversible Coating Fabric Roll

    Two For One

    153cm wide, two-sided wool coating fabric with beige on one side and a peachy sand on the other. Midweight & warm, ideal for coats and outerwear.

    £39.00 per metre
  • + More colours Vintage Cotton - Navy Vintage Cotton Navy Blue Oeko Tex Dressmaking Fabric Fold

    Vintage Cotton - Navy

    100% Cotton in Navy Blue. 140cm Width. 170gsm. Lightweight woven with a high-quality drape.

    £11.96 per metre
  • + More colours Sandwashed - Grey Sandwashed Grey Polyester Viscose Blend Dressmaking Fabric Mannequin

    Sandwashed - Grey

    Gorgeous grey viscose and polyester blend dressmaking fabric, ideal for floaty blouses, skirts or palazzo pants!

    £14.00 per metre
  • Felted Felted Wool Polyester Brown Beige Soft Fuzzy Coating Fabric Roll

    Felted

    156cm wide, lightweight wool blend coating in melange taupe/grey with a lightly felted finish.

    £23.50 per metre
  • + More colours Christmas Poly/Cotton - Halls Of Holly - White Festive Craft Fabric Christmas Polycotton Halls Of Holly White Fold

    Christmas Poly/Cotton - Halls Of Holly - White

    Holly & Berry White Polycotton. 112cm width. Lightweight woven fabric for Christmas decorations.

    (1)
    £3.96 per metre
  • + More colours Sandwashed - Nude Sandwashed Nude Polyester Viscose Blend Dressmaking Fabric Mannequin

    Sandwashed - Nude

    Made from 93% viscose and 7% polyester, this nude dress fabric is great for palazzo pants, blouses and skirts!

    £14.00 per metre
  • + More colours Sandwashed - Olive Sandwashed Olive Polyester Viscose Blend Dressmaking Fabric Mannequin
    Sold out

    Sandwashed - Olive

    This polyester and viscose blend dressmaking fabric in olive green is ideal for fashioning skirts, blouses and loose trousers!

    £14.00 per metre
  • Tinker Tailor Tinker Tailor Wool Polyester Green Black Check Fine Woven Suiting Fabric Roll

    Tinker Tailor

    150cm wide, wool blend suiting fabric in a dark tonal mix with a subtle white overcheck.

    £24.00 per metre
  • + More colours GOTS Organic French Terry - Soft White Gots Organic French Terry Soft White Cotton Elastane Knitted Plain Jersey Fabric Fold

    GOTS Organic French Terry - Soft White

    Organic Soft White Cotton Knit. 152cm width. 230gsm. Mid-weight looped jersey for athleisure.

    £15.50 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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