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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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  • Friar Tuck Friar Tuck Polyester Cotton Brown Hessian Trouser Fabric Fold

    Friar Tuck

    Dark brown woven suiting fabric, 142cm wide, with a soft hessian-style texture.

    £8.00 per metre
  • Pima Cotton Lawn - Colder Days Pima Cotton Lawn Colder Days Teal Leaf Print Dress Fabric Hang

    Pima Cotton Lawn - Colder Days

    140cm wide, 100% Pima cotton lawn fabric with an white leaf print on a rich teal background.

    £15.50 per metre
  • Inky Satin Inky Satin Dark Navy Grey Nylon Viscose Dress Fabric

    Inky Satin

    140cm wide, nylon and viscose blend satin dress fabric in an attractive dark navy shade, ideal for blouses.

    £9.00 per metre
  • Intricate Intricate Deep Blue Designer Viscose Suiting Swirl

    Intricate

    Beautiful designer viscose suiting in a deep rich blue.

    £15.00 per metre
  • + More colours Heirloom Knit - Grey Heirloom Knit Grey Acrylic Polyester Wool Crochet Zigzag Chunky Coat Fabric Mannequin

    Heirloom Knit - Grey

    Made from 65% acrylic, 25% polyester and 10% wool, this grey crochet knit fabric is perfect for cardigans.

    £14.00 per metre
  • Lady Like No Other Lady Like No Other Red Polyester Elastane Stretch Woven Underwear Fabric

    Lady Like No Other

    172cm wide, finely woven ex-designer fabric. A uniquely beautiful cloth that is sheer when stretched, with a luscious red hue - perfect for underwear.

    £9.96 per metre
  • Premium Challis - Olive Nova Challis Olive Nova Anada Viscose Leaf Print Black Brown Dress Fabric Mannequin

    Premium Challis - Olive Nova

    Create summer skirts & palazzo pants with this black & brown leaf print viscose fabric.

    (1)
    £11.00 per metre
  • + More colours Sheen - Black Sheen Black Stretchy Knitted Jersey Black Dress Lining Close Up

    Sheen - Black

    Superb quality stretchy knitted dress fabric in black. Great for lining.

    £11.00 per metre
  • + More colours Cloud - Turquoise Cloud Turquoise Viscose Lycra Jersey Dress Fabric Mannequin

    Cloud - Turquoise

    Made from 98% viscose and 2% lycra, our knitted jersey dress fabric in turquoise is excellent for fitted garments!

    (1)
    £9.00 per metre
  • Challis - Leopard In The Jungle Viscose Challis Leopard In The Jungle Green Animal Leaf Print Dress Fabric Roll

    Challis - Leopard In The Jungle

    140cm wide, 100% viscose challis fabric with tropical green leaves and leopard print background.

    £10.50 per metre
  • + More colours Supreme - Soft White Supreme Soft White Gorgeous Satin Back Crepe Special Occasion Dresses Fold

    Supreme - Soft White

    Gorgeous crepe with a satin back for the finest dresses.

    £18.00 per metre
  • + More colours Pima Cotton Lawn - Cherry Berry Olive Pima Cherry Berry Olive Cotton Lawn Printed Dress Fabric Side

    Pima Cotton Lawn - Cherry Berry Olive

    140cm wide, 100% Pima cotton lawn fabric with an olive green and berry print on ivory.

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    £15.50 per metre
  • + More colours Draper - Organic Bamboo Blend Suiting - Black Draper Organic Bamboo Blend Suiting Black Recycled Polyester Lycra Organic Oekotex Woven Fabric

    Draper - Organic Bamboo Blend Suiting - Black

    This 150cm wide organic recycled suiting fabric in black, is soft to handle and has a beautiful drape.

    £22.00 per metre
  • + More colours Ritual - Teal Ritual Teal Jade Colour Ity Jersey Fabric John Kaldor Drape

    Ritual - Teal

    Fabulous medium weight John Kaldor ITY jersey fabric. This one has a huge amount of stretch and comes in teal.

    (1)
    £10.50 per metre
  • + More colours Draper - Organic Bamboo Blend Suiting - Red Draper Organic Bamboo Blend Suiting Red Recycled Polyester Lycra Organic Oekotex Woven Fabric

    Draper - Organic Bamboo Blend Suiting - Red

    This 150cm wide organic recycled suiting fabric in red, is soft to handle and has a beautiful drape.

    £22.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Milano Milano Italian Pink White Blue Abstract Knitted Viscose Lycra Jersey Dress Fabric Drape Side

    Milano

    60 wide Italian printed lightweight polyester satin which feels like silk in an exquisite and very different design. A very dark moss green ground with a large classical paisley design ...."

    (2)
    £9.50 per metre
  • Challis - Kaleido Flow Viscose Challis Kaleido Flow Pink Abstract Pattern Dress Fabric Roll

    Challis - Kaleido Flow

    145cm wide, viscose fabric with a pale pink base and bold swirling print in pink, orange & violet.

    £10.50 per metre
  • Organza Floral Organza Floral Printed Floral Cover Up Fabric Close Up

    Organza Floral

    Organza fabric in a bold rich floral design. A great cover up fabric which oozes elegance.

    £5.76 per metre
  • + More colours Combed Cotton - Maria Combed Cotton Maria Orange Pink Purple Floral Poplin Dress Fabric Mannequin

    Combed Cotton - Maria

    Floral cotton poplin fabric, 148cm wide, with orange tones on a cream background.

    £13.00 per metre
  • + More colours Ritual - Black Ritual Black Colour Ity Jersey Fabric John Kaldor Drape

    Ritual - Black

    Wonderful John Kaldor ITY jersey fabric. This is medium weight with a huge amount of stretch, this one comes in black.

    £10.50 per metre
  • + More colours Vintage Cotton - Khaki Vintage Cotton Khaki Oeko Tex Dressmaking Fabric 2063183031 Twist

    Vintage Cotton - Khaki

    Khaki cotton dressmaking fabric, 144cm wide, with a soft lightweight woven drape.

    £11.96 per metre
  • + More colours Ritual - Coffee Jk Ritual Coffee Ity Jersey Fabric John Kaldor Neck

    Ritual - Coffee

    This is a gorgeous 152cm, ITY jersey fabric by John Kaldor. This is a medium weight jersey with a huge amount of stretch and comes in a lovely coffee colour!

    (1)
    £10.50 per metre
  • + More colours Vintage Cotton - Grey Vintage Cotton Grey Oeko Tex Dressmaking Fabric 2063185002

    Vintage Cotton - Grey

    Grey cotton dressmaking fabric, 144cm wide, with a soft lightweight woven drape.

    £11.96 per metre
  • + More colours Vintage Cotton - Brown Vintage Cotton Brown Oeko Tex Dressmaking Fabric 2063187007 Fold

    Vintage Cotton - Brown

    Soft brown cotton fabric with a fluid drape, 144cm wide and OEKO-TEX certified.

    £11.96 per metre
  • + More colours Monte - Emerald Monte Emerald Multicoloured Viscose Abstract Dress Fabric Mannequin

    Monte - Emerald

    Made from 100% viscose, this colourful abstract print dress fabric is perfect for floaty summer blouses.

    £17.00 per metre
  • + More colours JK - Marmaris - Soft White Jk Marmaris Soft White Stretch Cotton Elastane Trousering Fabric Roll

    JK - Marmaris - Soft White

    150cm wide incredibly soft & fine cotton twill trousering fabric from John Kaldor.

    (1)
    £14.50 per metre
  • + More colours Coast - Sand Coast Sand Linen Look Dress Fabric Beige John Kaldor Swirl

    Coast - Sand

    145cm wide, linen-look polyester fabric in sand. With subtle slub texture and thicker yarns.

    £13.00 per metre
  • + More colours Monte - Teal Monte Teal Multicoloured Viscose Abstract Dress Fabric Mannequin

    Monte - Teal

    138cm wide, abstract print dress fabric made from 100% viscose in a teal blue hue, perfect for blouses.

    £17.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Hidden Depths Hidden Depths Wool Polyamide Black Italian Coating Fabric Roll

    Hidden Depths

    At least 60in wide poly/wool/ acrylic, skirt/ heavy trouser fabric. Of a weight and hand to make you believe there is more wool in it than there is. This really is a fabulous cloth!

    £41.00 per metre
  • + More colours Don't Be Noisy - Beige Don T Be Noisy Beige 2004355005

    Don't Be Noisy - Beige

    Beige linen cotton fabric with white pinstripes, 140cm wide and softly textured.

    (1)
    £18.00 per metre
  • Nightbloom 100% Cotton Floral Navy Dress Fabric Nightbloom Fold

    Nightbloom

    150cm wide, fine 100% cotton fabric with an all-over tiny floral print in navy and pale blue.

    £11.76 per metre
  • Night Sky Scatter Night Sky Scatter Polyester Viscose Dark Navy White Textured Suiting Fabric

    Night Sky Scatter

    Made from a blend of polyester and viscose, this navy and white speckled effect suiting fabric is ideal for suits!

    £10.00 per metre
  • Ghostly Ghostly White Viscose Nylon Soft Shirting Fabric

    Ghostly

    Our 156cm wide, white woven shirting fabric made from a viscose and nylon blend is ideal for blouses or skirts!

    £6.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Zig-Zag Zig Zag Inwool Viscose Brown Blue Knitted Italian Jersey Fabric Fold
    20% off

    Zig-Zag

    165cm wide, Italian viscose fabric with a navy and mustard zig-zag check pattern on a brown base.

    £19.40 per metre £24.26 per metre
  • + More colours Georgette Dress Fabric - Coral

    Georgette Dress Fabric - Coral

    Gorgeous quality Georgette dress fabric in Coral

    £6.00 per metre
  • + More colours Triple Crepe - Bombshell Triple Crepe Bombshell Red Polyester Dress Fabric Side

    Triple Crepe - Bombshell

    Vivid red triple crepe fabric, 150cm wide with smooth handle and structured drape.

    £17.00 per metre
  • Brave - Neon Knitted Bodycon Jersey Fabric Brave Neon Fold

    Brave - Neon

    Bright yellow bodycon fabric, 150cm wide with minimal stretch for maximum support. Mid-weight, great for body-hugging dresses.

    £8.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy For All Seasons For All Seasons Grey Wool Small Check Italian Suiting Fabric Roll

    For All Seasons

    157cm wide, wool suiting fabric in a grey, black, and beige check. Woven in Italy with a soft hand.

    £30.00 per metre
  • Tomorrowland Tomorrowland Abstract Print Multicoloured Cupro Viscose Dress Fabric Mannequin

    Tomorrowland

    140cm wide, abstract multicoloured fabric made from 55% cupro and 45% viscose, ideal for summer dresses.

    £17.00 per metre
  • + More colours Georgette Dress Fabric - Bubble Gum Georgette Dress Fabric Bubblegum Pink Polyester Mannequin

    Georgette Dress Fabric - Bubble Gum

    Made from 100% polyester, this sheer and lightweight bubble gum pink dress fabric is perfect for special occasion wear!

    £6.00 per metre
  • Georgina Slinky Jersey Dress Fabric Pink Black Floral Georgina Drape

    Georgina

    150cm wide bold pink and black floral polyester jersey fabric, with brilliant stretch. Ideal for unique dresses and tops.

    £8.50 per metre
  • Angelina Lining

    Angelina Lining

    This playful 140cm wide pink nylon lining fabric has a soft satin finish. This fabric has incredible strength and durability.

    £5.00 per metre
  • + More colours Harmony Knits - Olive Harmony Knits Olive Green Viscose Polyester Polyamide Knitted Jersey Fabric Twist

    Harmony Knits - Olive

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

    £17.00 per metre
  • Dew Drop Black Viscose Nylon Elastane Bengaline Fabric Dew Drop Twist

    Dew Drop

    145cm wide, bengaline fabric in black with black plastic rhinestone accents for a refined sparkle.

    £18.00 per metre
  • Sturdy Black - Heavy Suiting Sturdy Black Heavy Suiting Polyester Viscose Elastane Woven Suiting Fabric Fold

    Sturdy Black - Heavy Suiting

    65% polyester, 30% viscose and 5% elastane, heavy suiting fabric in black, this is perfect for bodycon dresses.

    £14.96 per metre
  • + More colours Harmony Knits - Pink Harmony Knits Pink Viscose Polyester Polyamide Knitted Jersey Fabric Twist

    Harmony Knits - Pink

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

    £17.00 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

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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