Webshop • Specialized in organic textiles • Bedding • Kitchen textiles • Bath linen • Home textiles • Bags • Fabrics • Haberdashery

Fabric Types Overview

All those different types of fabric on our website, what does it all mean? Knitted, woven, what is the difference? And then there are also various knitted fabrics, and woven of course, how about that? And where is a fabric suitable for? Below you can find all the fabrics that we have in our product range, including a detailed explanation and use of the fabric. If you still have questions? Let us know, we're glad to help!
All the fabrics in our collection are made of 100% organic cotton (unless otherwise specified the fabrics) and GOTS certified.

Tricots (knitted fabrics)
Because of the knitted structure, tricot is slightly elastic broadwise. There are loads of different knitted fabrics, each with their specific characteristics. In every category there will be more information about the fabric, and tips about the use of the specific fabric.

Fabric

Description

Suitable for

Jersey

Jersey is a very finely knitted fabric, made of really fine thread. Therefore, the fabric is very supple and feels soft. Because of the knitted structure, jersey is slightly elastic broadwise. Jersey is available in various thicknesses; the higher the weight, the thicker the fabric. The number that is stated with the fabric says something about the thickness of the thread; the higher the number, the thinner the thread and the suppler the fabric. At the front side of the fabric, little v’s are visible (knit). At the back of the fabric, you’ll see small loops (purl). Therefore, the front and the back of the fabric look different. Jersey is also called plain knit or single jersey. It is the most widely used fabric for T-shirts.

T-shirts, tops, singlets, skirts, dresses, baby wear, scarfs, bedding (this needs heavier qualities of jersey)

Stretch jersey

Just like the regular jersey, stretch jersey is a finely knitted fabric of really fine thread. Only, elastane (elastic) is added to the jersey, which allows for the fabric to not only stretch broadwise, but also in length. The fabric is really supple and feels soft. Stretch jersey is available in various thicknesses; the higher the weight, the thicker the fabric. At the front side of the fabric, little V’s are visible (knit). At the back of the fabric, you’ll see little loops (purl). Therefore, the front and the back of the fabric look different.

T-shirts, singlets, tops, skirts, dresses, leggings, yoga wear, underwear, baby wear, scarfs. Because of the added elastane, this fabric is also suitable for tighter clothing.

Interlock

Interlock is a double knitted tricot. It has little V’s at the back and at the front side. Therefore, the fabric looks the same at both sides. Interlock is a bit heavier and a bit more stable than jersey. The knitted fabric is supple and soft and is a bit elastic broadwise.

T-shirts, singlets, tops, skirts, dresses, pajamas, yoga wear, baby wear, baby body suit, scarfs, soft toys

Ribbed knit

Ribbed knit can be recognized by its knitted ribbing in the length of the fabric. This ribbing is visible at both the back and the front side of the fabric. It is a finely knitted fabric, which, because of the way of knitting, 1 knit-1 purl, gets a ribbed look and also has extra stretch broadwise. The rib can also consist of multiple stitches, for example 2x2 or 2x1, which gives it a different ribbing look.

T-shirts, singlets, tops, skirts, dresses, yoga wear, baby wear, scarfs

Wristband fabric

Wristband fabric is a ribbed knit, which also consists some elastane (elastic). This allows for the fabric to not only stretch broadwise, but also in length, and it keeps the fabric in shape. It is a finely knitted fabric, which, because of the way of knitting, 1 knit-1 purl, gets a ribbed look. The rib can also consist of multiple stitches, for example 2x2, which gives it a different ribbing look.

Collars and cuffs of hoodies, jackets, cardigans, jackets, sweaters and sweatpants. Also nice for borders/hems of singlets, shirts and baby wear.

Soft tulle / Mesh

Soft tulle is a knitted mesh fabric. The fabric is knitted in small holes, which gives the fabric a very airy character. Because of the knitted structure, the tulle is slightly elastic. The fabric is made of organic cotton, which makes the fabric feel soft to the skin and falls smoothly. (Unlike synthetic tulle that feels harder and falls stiffer.) The front and back of the fabric have the same appearance.

T-shirts, singlets, tops, sleeves or other details on tops or dresses, festive skirts (with several layers of fabric), hair accessories, (baby) canopies, and as a nice detail on hats, pillows or other creations.

Knitted terry

Knitted terry is a fabric on which longer loops are visible on the front side. Therefore, the front and the back of the fabric look different. Because of the loops, the fabric is able to absorb more moisture, and also feels very soft. Because of the knitted structure, knitted terry is slightly elastic broadwise.

Sportive jackets, T-shirts, skirts, baby wear, changing mats, fitted sheets, soft toys

Nicky velours

Nicky velours is a knitted fabric, which has loops on the front of the fabric that have been shaved off. Therefore, the front and the back of the fabric look different. The shaved loops result in a nice soft fabric with a beautiful vibrant effect. Because of the knitted structure, nicky velours is slightly elastic broadwise.

Sportive jackets, cardigans, T-shirts, tops, skirts, dresses, baby wear, scarfs

Sweater

Sweater fabric is a knitted fabric with a smooth front side and long loops on the back of the fabric. The backside is (to a greater or lesser extent) roughened. The more the backside is roughened, the softer and warmer the fabric is. With a French Terry, the back is not roughened. The front and the back of the fabric have a different look. Because of the knitted structure, sweater fabric is slightly elastic broadwise.

Jumpers, hoodies, jackets, T-shirts, sweatpants, skirts, baby wear, shawls

Fleece

Fleece is a knitted fabric with loops at the back and the front of the fabric, and of which both sides are significantly roughened. This makes for a very soft and thick fabric, that is also nice and warm. Because of the knitted structure, fleece is slightly elastic broadwise. Both sides of the fabric look the same. Note that, because of the treatment fleece gets, the fabric does shrink a bit more when washed for the first time. It’s best to wash fleece on a wool program. And there is a big advantage to cotton fleece. In contrast to synthetic fleece, cotton fleece does not release any harmful plastic particles during the washing process.

Pullovers, cardigans, hoodies, coats, jackets, shawls, blankets, baby wear

Plush

Plush is a knitted fabric with fluffy roughened loops at the front side. This makes for a super soft and vivid fabric. Because of the knitted structure, plush is slightly elastic broadwise. The front and the back of the fabric look different.

Jackets/vests/cardigans, body warmers, collars, linings, shawls, soft toys, cushion covers, and baby clothing and accessories, such as baby blankets, sleeping bags and baby wear

Quilted knit fabric

Quilted knit fabric consists of two layers jersey tricot, which have threads between them for extra volume. The whole is quilted, so everything stays in place nicely. The fabric is nicely voluminous, soft and a bit elastic. The front and the back of the fabric look the same.

Sweaters, hoodies, cardigans, jumpers, skirts, winter baby wear, shawls

Woven fabrics
Because of the structure, a woven fabric is quite stable and not elastic (unless elastane is added). The fabric is made of vertical and horizontal (groups of) yarns, which are called warp and weft. Woven fabric comes in a lot of different varieties, each with its specific characteristics. In every category, there will be more information about the fabric, and tips about the use of the specific fabric.

Fabric

Description

Suitable for

Poplin

Poplin is a plain weave cotton fabric (one warp to one weft). Therefore, the fabric has a fine and regular appearance, and is nice and stable. The front and the back of the fabric look the same.

Blouses, shirts, tops, dresses, (dashing) skirts, cushion covers, tablecloths, bedding, quilting

Percale

Percale is a plain weave cotton fabric (one warp to one weft). Therefore, the fabric has a fine and regular appearance, and is nice and stable. The front and the back of the fabric look the same.

Percale is a very tightly woven fabric, and may only be named percale if there is a minimum of 200 threads per square inch. This density of the fabric is indicated by TC (Thread Count). The higher the TC, the thinner the yarn and the suppler the fabric.

Mainly used for bedding

Cotton Sateen

Cotton sateen is a cotton fabric that is woven in a satin weave. The satin weave is a type of weave where the weft and warp yarns are spread. The warp yarns lie over multiple weft yarns. Due to this the yarns lay very close together, which makes for a very supple fabric. The amount of threads per square inch is indicated by TC (Thread Count). The higher the TC, the thinner the yarn and the suppler the fabric. The front and the back of the fabric have a different look.

Blouses, tops, dresses, skirts, bridal wear, cushion covers, table cloths, bedding, quilting

Voile

 

Voile is a plain weave cotton fabric (one warp to one weft). Therefore, the fabric has a fine and regular appearance, and is nice and stable. The front and the back of the fabric look the same. And because voile is made of very thin yarn, it is slightly transparent.

Blouses, tops, dresses, skirts, curtaining

Twill/Gabardine

Twill or Gabardine is a cross twill weave fabric, which makes for the distinctive diagonal line in the weave. The weft yarn of the weave lies over one or more warp yarn(s) and then lies underneath two or more warp yarns. Every next yarn starts one weft higher. This weave makes the fabric suppler than a plain weave fabric. The front and the back of the fabric have a different look.

Trousers, skirts, jackets, bags, cushion covers, upholstery

Denim

Denim is a cross twill weave fabric with (blue) coloured warp yarn and white weft yarn. This makes the front side of the fabric darker than the back side. A cross twill weave has a typical diagonal line in it. The weft yarn of the weave lies over one or more warp yarn(s) and then lies underneath two or more warp yarns. Every next yarn starts one weft higher. The front and the back of the fabric have a different look.

Trousers, skirts, jackets, bags, cushion covers, upholstery

Canvas

Canvas is a very firm fabric, woven with thicker yarn in a plain weave (one warp to one weft) (with a Panama weave these are pairs of two threads). Therefore, the fabric has a fine and regular appearance, and is really stable. The front and the back of the fabric look the same.

Trousers, skirts, jackets, bags, cushion covers, curtains, upholstery

Flannel

Flannel is a plain weave cotton fabric (one warp to one weft) or a cross twill weave (the weft yarn of the weave lies over one or more warp yarn(s) and then lies underneath two or more warp yarns, every next yarn starts one weft higher). Flannel is lightly roughened on one or both sides, which makes the fabric feel very soft and warm.

Clothing, baby wear, baby accessories, pajamas, bedding, cushion covers

Molton

Molton is a very thick plain weave fabric (one warp to one weft). The fabric has a regular appearance, and is really stable. The front and the back of the fabric look the same. Molton fabric is slightly roughened, which makes the fabric extra soft and warm.

Interlayer, for example as a molton mattress protector

Corduroy

Corduroy is a woven fabric which has thin velvet ribs on the front side of the fabric, parallel to the selvedge. These ribs may vary from narrow to wide. The front and the back of the fabric look different. Corduroy is also called velvet corduroy. Corduroy with small ribs is also called babycord.

Trousers, skirts, dresses, jackets, shirts, cushion covers

Terry Cloth

A woven fabric with long loops at both sides of the fabric. The loops make the fabric extra absorbing and really soft. The front and the back of the fabric look the same.

Bathrobes, towels, baby wrap blankets, baby accessories

Copyright Pure Coverz - All rights reserved.