What is french terry fabric?

What is French Terry Fabric?

As the weather gets colder, more and more of us are starting to rotate towards our winter wardrobe. This can be a great time to re-evaluate the winter clothes you have, and decide if there are any new fabrics or styles that you want to try out. When it comes to cozy, easy to wear clothing, one fabric to be on the look out for is French Terry Fabric. Many styles of sweatpants, sweatshirts, and hoodies tend to be made of this material-- in fact, you probably already own at least one or two pieces that use it. But there is more to it than just comfortable hoodies, so in this article, we will explore different types and approaches to producing French terry fabric.

What is French terry fabric?

The most crucial question is this: what is terry fabric? Let's start with the basics; terry fabric is a style of knit fabric, similar to jersey fabric. Terry cloth is defined by the loops of yarn on its surface; this is a by product of the weaving process, and is what gives terry its softness. There are two main styles of terry cloth; varieties that have piles of yarn loops on one side of the fabric, and varieties that have piles on both sides. French terry fabric, the style that we'll be talking about today, has piles on one side of the fabric. It tends to be thicker than other styles of jersey fabric, as well as warmer; the loops of yarn hold more air, making it better for warmth retention. That's why it is normally used for fall and winter clothes!

Types of French terry fabric

Before we get too ahead of ourselves, it is important to touch on the three main types of French terry fabric. While they are all comparable in terms of feelings and price, it is still worth explaining the different materials that can be use to make this type of fabric. There are three main types. The first is 100% cotton terry fabric, which, as the name suggests, is made up completely of cotton. There is also French terry fabric that is made of completely synthetic materials, as well as styles that are made by blending cotton and synthetic materials. Which style you choose will ultimately be up to your own personal taste and needs. It is good to be aware, though, of the pros and cons of each option. For example, while 100% cotton French terry fabric will be extremely soft, it might not be as resilient as synthetic or blended cloth. And although it will often require a more intensive cleaning process, cotton styles tend to be more environmentally friendly than partially synthetic or completely synthetic options. Cotton also releases odors much easier, which makes it easier to clean and keep fresh. The strength of synthetic or blended options is hard to beat, though; that style of French terry fabric can have a much longer lifespan. On the other hand, synthetic fabrics are much easier to clean and dry faster. Again, there is no one size fits all answer for the best type of French terry fabric-- it is something you will have to consider for yourself.

Brushed French terry fabric

There is one thing that all three types of terry fabric have in common. They can all be brushed, which is a process that brings even more plushness and softness out of the fabric. The process is very simple extremely simple, but it has a big effect on the texture of the fabric. In order to produce brushed French terry fabric, ordinary french terry fabric is brushed with a slightly abrasive surface, typically a sandpaper or metal roll stick. Since this fabric is typically produced in large quantities, this is done in a factory, with a large metal or sandpaper roll brushing sheets of terry fabric. The abrasive surfaces of these tools will gently pull on the surface of the terry fabric, creating a slightly fuzzy texture.  Once French terry fabric has been through the brushing process, it will become much more comfortable, so if you are looking for something cozy, brushed French terry is the way to go.

Potential uses

There are a number of ways to use french terry fabric if you are willing to put in the effort and creative energy. I've talked a lot about different kinds of clothing that tends to be made with terry fabric, and that is certainly a great option. If you want to make super comfortable sweatpants, hoodies, or shirts, brushed terry fabric is a great option. If you need something to be soft, warm, and ultra comfortable, you might as well give french terry fabric a shot!

Conclusion

When you start to search the internet for different fabrics and materials to turn into clothing, the amount of options can be almost overwhelming. But when it comes to comfort, French terry fabric is hard to beat. Whether you choose synthetic, natural, or a blended option, you will be sure to end up with an extremely comfortable article of clothing. And if you decide to put your fabric through the brushing process, that coziness will only increase. Hopefully the things we talked about today helped you gain a greater understanding of French terry fabric and its different uses.