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Superior Quality Dress Linings

Plain Fabric

Not every project starts with a print. This collection brings together our plain, solid-colour fabrics across cotton poplin, poly/cotton, linen and canvas, so you can shop by colour and weight without a pattern getting in the way. Useful on its own or as the perfect match for a patterned print elsewhere in your make. Sold by the metre or half metre depending on the fabric, with free samples available on most.
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  • Made in Britain Dry Finish Waxed Cotton 8oz – Khaki Dry Finish Waxed Cotton 8oz Khaki Water Resistant Plain Coating Fabric CU

    Dry Finish Waxed Cotton 8oz – Khaki

    British dry-finish waxed cotton fabric in khaki, 156cm wide and 271gsm, for jackets and outdoor projects.

    £12.00 per metre
  • + More colours Elona - Brown Elona Brown Woven Stretch Twill Polyester 260gsm Dress Fabric Flat

    Elona - Brown

    Rich brown stretch twill fabric with a sleek finish, comfortable give and a substantial 260gsm weight.

    £12.30 per metre
  • + More colours Smart Move - Wine Smart Move Wine Punta Twill Knitted Viscose 350gsm Dress Fabric Fold

    Smart Move - Wine

    Rich wine punta twill fabric with comfortable stretch and a smart, substantial 350gsm handle.

    £17.50 per metre
  • + More colours Smart Move - Camel Smart Move Camel Punta Twill Knitted Viscose 350gsm Dress Fabric Fold

    Smart Move - Camel

    Warm camel punta twill fabric with a soft drape, easy stretch and a substantial 350gsm weight.

    £17.50 per metre
  • + More colours Smart Move - Petrol Smart Move Petrol Punta Twill Knitted Viscose 350gsm Dress Fabric Fold

    Smart Move - Petrol

    A gorgeous petrol punta twill fabric with soft stretch, smooth texture and a useful 350gsm weight.

    £17.50 per metre
  • + More colours Poly Cotton Towelling - Black Onyx Poly Cotton Towelling Black Onyx Fabric CU

    Poly Cotton Towelling - Black Onyx

    Practical black knitted towelling fabric with a soft looped face, ideal for robes and towels.

    £10.00 per metre
  • + More colours Poly Cotton Towelling - Lime Zest Poly Cotton Towelling Lime Zest Fabric Fold

    Poly Cotton Towelling - Lime Zest

    Zingy lime green knitted towelling fabric, soft and absorbent for beach robes, towels and kidswear.

    £10.00 per metre
  • + More colours Poly Cotton Towelling - Aqua Blue Poly Cotton Towelling Aqua Blue Fabric Fold

    Poly Cotton Towelling - Aqua Blue

    Soft aqua blue knitted towelling fabric, 160cm wide, ideal for robes, towels and baby makes.

    £10.00 per metre
  • Zest Crepe - Chartreuse Polyester Elastane Trousering Fabric Zest Crepe ChartreuseRoll

    Zest Crepe - Chartreuse

    Vivid chartreuse stretch crepe, 150cm wide with a substantial handle for dresses and tailoring.

    £10.50 per metre
  • Jean Genie MidWeight 10oz Blue Denim Cotton Twill Dressmaking Fabric Jean Genie Roll

    Jean Genie

    Traditional blue cotton denim, 147cm wide and 10oz, a versatile medium weight for jeans and jackets.

    £12.00 per metre
  • The Riveter Heavyweight 14oz Blue Denim Cotton Twill Jean Fabric The Riveter Fold

    The Riveter

    Heavyweight river blue denim, 151cm wide with a classic white-flecked twill and workwear handle.

    £12.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Tom Tom Light Brown Italian Ex-Designer Brushed Cotton Chino Fabric Tom Tom CU

    Tom Tom

    Heavy Italian cotton twill in sandy beige, with a soft handle for trousers and utility jackets.

    £18.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Takes the Biscuit Pale Beige Italian Ex-Designer Cotton Chino Fabric Takes the Biscuit Roll

    Takes the Biscuit

    Light beige, Italian cotton twill fabric 155cm wide, finely woven for shirts and summer tailoring.

    £18.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Firenze Moleskin - Coffee Brown Italian Cotton Moleskin Trouser Fabric Firenze Moleskin Coffee CU

    Firenze Moleskin - Coffee

    Deep coffee brown Italian moleskin fabric with a velvety soft touch and excellent weight for tailoring.

    £20.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Firenze Moleskin - Brass Brown Italian Cotton Moleskin Trouser Fabric Forenze Moleskin Brass CU

    Firenze Moleskin - Brass

    153cm Italian ex-designer cotton moleskin in a warm brass brown, softly brushed with a refined tailored feel.

    £20.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Call Me Mellow Yellow Pale Mustard Italian Cotton Moleskin Suit Fabric Call Me Mellow Yellow Fold

    Call Me Mellow Yellow

    Luxurious Italian cotton moleskin fabric in pale mustard, with a beautifully soft face and firm body.

    £18.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy+ More colours Linen Elite - White Ex-Designer Italian Plain Linen Dress Fabric Linen Elite White CU2

    Linen Elite - White

    Finely woven Italian pure linen in bright white, with a soft handle and versatile dress weight.

    £30.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy+ More colours Linen Elite - Black Ex-Designer Italian Plain Linen Dress Fabric Linen Elite - Black CU

    Linen Elite - Black

    Finely woven 141cm Italian pure linen in classic black, ideal for dresses and separates.

    £30.00 per metre
  • + More colours Airflow Viscose - Jade Airflow Viscose Jade Plain Viscose Polyamide 140gsm Dress Fabric Flat

    Airflow Viscose - Jade

    Striking jade airflow viscose fabric with a supple drape and softly textured finish, 140gsm.

    £9.50 per metre
  • + More colours Airflow Viscose - Fuchsia Airflow Viscose Fuchsia Plain Viscose Polyamide 140gsm Dress Fabric Flat

    Airflow Viscose - Fuchsia

    Full of colour and movement, this vibrant fuchsia airflow viscose fabric is a lightweight 140gsm.

    £9.50 per metre
  • + More colours Airflow Viscose - Navy Airflow Viscose Navy Plain Viscose Polyamide 140gsm Dress Fabric Flat

    Airflow Viscose - Navy

    Deep navy meets a softly crêped finish in this versatile 140gsm airflow viscose fabric.

    £9.50 per metre
  • + More colours Airflow Viscose - Champagne Airflow Viscose Champagne Plain Viscose Polyamide 140gsm Dress Fabric Ruler

    Airflow Viscose - Champagne

    Softly crinkled and elegant, 140gsm champagne viscose fabric with a graceful, flowing handle.

    £9.50 per metre
  • + More colours Airflow Viscose - Sand Airflow Viscose Sand Plain Viscose Polyamide 140gsm Dress Fabric Flat

    Airflow Viscose - Sand

    Warm and understated, this sand airflow viscose fabric weighs 140gsm and drapes beautifully.

    £9.50 per metre
  • + More colours Airflow Viscose - Yellow Airflow Viscose Yellow Plain Viscose Polyamide 140gsm Dress Fabric Swirl

    Airflow Viscose - Yellow

    A cheerful zesty yellow fabric, this 140gsm airflow viscose has a light feel and softly crêped finish.

    £9.50 per metre
  • Made in Italy Mam Am 'Ere Mam Am 'Ere Black Linen Viscose Plain Italian Fabric Hang

    Mam Am 'Ere

    Italian linen viscose dress fabric in deepest black, with a soft handle, fluid drape and lovely body.

    £20.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Canyon Linen Canyon Linen Rust Plain Woven Italian Dress Fabric CU

    Canyon Linen

    Dusky terracotta Italian linen with a soft finish, fluid drape and versatile dressmaking weight.

    £20.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Bianca Perla Bianca Perla Viscose White Plain Italian Dress Fabric CU

    Bianca Perla

    Fluid Italian viscose twill in pure white, with a silky soft handle and beautiful flowing drape.

    £20.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Custard Cream Custard Cream Italian Cotton Twill Soft Fabric Roll

    Custard Cream

    Luxuriously soft 143cm Italian cotton twill fabric in warm cream, with a supple handle.

    £17.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy All Singing All Singing Italian Plain Nylon Lightweight Beige Fabric CU

    All Singing

    Soft 148cm Italian nylon fabric with a cotton-like handle and incredibly light 114gsm weight.

    £17.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Sweet Like Candy Sweet Like Candy Pink Cotton Plain Italian Shirting Fabric Mannequin

    Sweet Like Candy

    Candy pink Italian cotton chambray with a fine weave, ideal for shirts, blouses and dresses.

    £17.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy+ More colours Cotton Unito - Red Italian Ex Designer Plain Weave Fabric Cotton Unito Red Fold

    Cotton Unito - Red

    Striking red Italian cotton with a crisp, smooth handle and enough body for shirts and dresses.

    £17.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy+ More colours Cotton Unito - Green Cotton Unito Green Plain Woven Italian Fabric CU

    Cotton Unito - Green

    Italian deadstock, green cotton shirting with a crisp, smooth handle, ideal for shirts and dresses.

    £17.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy+ More colours Autumn Cotton Shirt - Bottle Italian Ex Designer Plain Weave Fabric Autumn Cotton Shirt - Bottle Roll

    Autumn Cotton Shirt - Bottle

    Rich bottle green 100% cotton shirting with a fine, lightweight handle for shirts and blouses.

    £17.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Delitelli Italian Ex-Designer Soft Cream Cotton Stretch Twill Fabric Delitelli Fold

    Delitelli

    Deadstock, creamy ivory Italian cotton elastane twill trouser fabric with a soft handle, 155cm wide.

    £20.00 per metre
  • Cotton Rich Twill - Optic Ivory Premium Workwear Twill Trouser Fabric Cotton Rich Optic Ivory Fold

    Cotton Rich Twill - Optic Ivory

    166cm wide cotton/polyester workwear fabric, with a twill weave, smooth finish and subtle sheen.

    £8.00 per metre
  • Lurex Jersey - Opal White Lurex Viscose Knitted Dress Fabric Lurex Jersey - Opal CU

    Lurex Jersey - Opal

    Silvery white viscose lurex jersey, 320gsm, 160cm wide with glittery finish and super-soft stretch.

    £14.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy Alba Rib Alba Rib Cotton Elastane White Fine Patterned Knit Jersey Fabric Fold

    Alba Rib

    Soft white textured cotton jersey with a comfortable stretch for everyday clothing.

    £20.00 per metre
  • Spongle - Yellow Spongle Yellow Viscose Lycra Knitted Jersey Fabric Neck

    Spongle - Yellow

    Viscose/Lycra knitted lightweight jersey dress fabric in bright yellow.

    £9.00 per metre
  • Made in Britain+ More colours Countryfile - Ember Brown Rust British 100% Wool Tweed Suiting Fabric Countryfile Ember Bolt

    Countryfile - Ember

    230gsm British wool tweed in a warm ember brown, woven at 150cm wide for timeless tailoring.

    £32.00 per metre
  • + More colours Femme Fatale - Hunter Green Polyester Elastane Stretch Suiting Crepe Fabric Femme Fatale Hunter Green Hang

    Femme Fatale - Hunter Green

    Tailoring-weight polyester stretch crepe dress fabric in deep forest green for elegant suiting.

    £10.00 per metre
  • + More colours Pucker Up - Green Cotton Polyester Jersey Dress Fabric Pucker Up - Green CU

    Pucker Up - Green

    Vibrant green cotton polyester jersey with textured stretch stripes for tops, dresses and separates.

    £9.00 per metre
  • + More colours Stretch Needlecord Tie-Dye - Orange Cotton Viscose Dress Fabric Stretch Needlecord Tie-Dye - Orange Fold

    Stretch Needlecord Tie-Dye - Orange

    133cm soft stretch needlecord with an earthy batik print, perfect for jackets, skirts and trousers.

    £17.00 per metre
  • Made in Italy+ More colours Danbury Crepe - Prussian Danbury Crepe - Prussian

    Danbury Crepe - Prussian

    Made in Italy this high quality 86% acetate, 5% polyester and 9% silk crepe fabric with a full dark blue hue.

    £15.00 per metre
  • Marshmallow Dreams White Fine Nylon Jersey Dressmaking Fabric Marshmallow Dreams CU

    Marshmallow Dreams

    Silky nylon jersey in bright white with fluid drape, excellent stretch and a lightweight feel.

    £4.50 per metre
  • Made in Britain Admiration Navy 100% Wool Heavy Twill Coating Fabric Admiration CU

    Admiration

    British wool coating fabric in deep navy with a structured twill weave and luxury feel.

    £20.00 per metre
  • Yesterdays Lining

    Yesterdays Lining

    Bronze changeant nylon lining with a soft twill weave and exceptional durability.

    £6.00 per metre
  • Scrunchy Aubergine Plain Viscose Jersey Lightweight Dress Fabric Scrunchy CU
    50% off

    Scrunchy

    160cm wide lightweight viscose jersey dress fabric in an aubergine shade with fluid drape.

    £3.00 per metre £6.00 per metre

Plain fabric does more work than it gets credit for. It's the fabric that lets a bold print sit against something calm, the base colour a whole outfit gets built around, or simply the most practical choice for a project where pattern would only get in the way. Because there's no motif to distract from it, the weight, drape and colour accuracy of a plain fabric matter more than they do with a print, which is why the fabric type is worth thinking about carefully here.

The range spans lightweight cotton lawn through to heavier canvas, so plain fabric at Croft Mill covers a lot more ground than colour swatches alone. Whichever weight or finish you need, there's a plain to match it.

Types of plain fabric in this collection

Plain cotton poplin is the most popular starting point, crisp, easy to cut, and available across a wide run of colours. It works for shirts, blouses, dresses, children's clothes and craft projects alike.

Plain poly/cotton is a hardwearing, pre-shrunk, colour-fast option that holds its shade well through repeated washing, a practical choice for workwear, uniforms and everyday makes.

Plain linen brings texture and breathability. It creases more readily than cotton, which most people consider part of its character rather than a flaw, and suits relaxed trousers, shirts and summer dresses.

Plain cotton canvas is heavier and more structured, built for bags, upholstery and home projects that need to stand up to regular use.

Matching a plain to a print

Matching a plain fabric's colour to a print you already own is easier in person than on screen, since monitors render colour differently. Ordering a sample of both is the most reliable way to check they sit well together before committing to a full cut.

Weight matters as much as colour. Pairing a heavy canvas with a delicate voile print rarely looks intentional, so try to keep the weights of any plain and patterned fabrics in a project reasonably close, unless the contrast in texture is the effect you're after.

Looking for a print to go with your plain fabric? Browse our Shop by Pattern hub to see the full range of prints available.

What plain fabrics does Croft Mill stock?

The plain range covers cotton poplin, poly/cotton, linen and canvas, each in a run of solid colours. Weight and finish vary by fabric type, so check the individual product page for the closest match to your project.

How do I match a plain fabric's colour to a print I already have?

Screens render colour inconsistently, so the most reliable way to match a plain to an existing print or fabric is to order samples of both and compare them together in natural light. Use the Order Sample option on the product page.

What's the difference between plain cotton poplin and poly/cotton for a garment?

Cotton poplin is 100% cotton, breathable and crisp, and tends to crease more with wear. Poly/cotton blends in a little polyester for extra durability and colourfastness, so it holds up well to frequent washing, though it's slightly less breathable than pure cotton. Both are suitable for dressmaking; the choice comes down to how the finished item will be used and cared for.

Is plain fabric suitable for lining as well as garments?

Some of our plain fabrics work well as lining, particularly the lighter-weight cotton and poly/cotton options, but not all plain fabrics in this collection are intended for that purpose. Check the individual product page for suitability, or unless the care label states otherwise, treat weight and drape as your main guide.

Can I order a sample before buying?

Yes. Most fabrics in this collection are available as a free sample so you can check the colour and handle before committing to a full cut. Use the "Order Sample" option on the product page.

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