French Terry Fabric

French Terry differs from regular jersey fabrics because it has looped terry cloth on one side and smooth knit jersey on the other side. This looped terry cloth makes it heavier than standard jersey fabric while still maintaining its stretch and softness. The combination of these two sides makes it more stable than other knits and provides ease when sewing with it. Because of its stability and weight, it holds its shape well after it’s been sewn together. The versatility of this fabric also allows you to experiment with different styles and designs without having to worry about the fabric stretching or losing its shape during the process.

When sewing with French Terry, many sewers recommend using a ballpoint needle as opposed to a universal or sharp needle because the loops on the terry side can snag easily when using a sharp needle due to its pointed tip. Also keep in mind that this type of fabric may stretch out slightly when sewing so it’s important to use plenty of pins when cutting out your pattern pieces. Additionally, if you are using French Terry for making something like sweatpants or joggers then consider using ribbing along the waistband or cuffs as this will help keep them from stretching out over time due to wear and tear.