French terry

When it comes to the cooler months, knit fabrics really come into their own and there’s nothing quite like a jumper, sweatshirt, track suit or cosy knit dress for autumnal comfort. Jersey is one of the most common knit fabrics and a super summer staple for T-shirts and body-skimming dresses. For warmer makes to see you through the autumn and winter, you might want something a little thicker than jersey, and this is where loop back French terry comes into its own. Thicker than jersey but not quite so thick as a fleece-back sweatshirt fabric, French terry is a versatile middle ground fabric you’ll want to sew with all year round.

ALL ABOUT FRENCH TERRY Like jersey, French terry is a knit fabric but what makes it different are the little loops on the reverse of the fabric. The name terry comes from the French, tirer, or to pull and is a reference to the process of pulling threads to create those statement loops. These not only make the fabric thicker and create added texture on the reverse, the loops trap moisture and air in the fabric, keeping you cool or warm when you need it better than a standard jersey.

French terry is most commonly made from cotton, combined with elastane for added stretch recovery. This makes it a lovely breathable fabric that’s easy to care for and robust enough to stand up to day-to-day wear. This fabric is sometimes also found in Tencel and Modal fibres too, which give the fabric more drape.

WHAT TO SEW

French terry is the king of loungewear and its soft and snuggly nature makes it a delight to wear. It’s great for sweatshirts and joggers for all the family, and can be a lovely option for tops, sweater dresses, casual jackets, cardigan and hoodies too. Try sewing French terry with the Megan Nielsen Jarrah Sweater for a layering top or the Tilly and the Buttons Billie for an autumn dress that pairs beautifully with leggings and boots.

HOW TO SEW

French terry is a relatively stable knit fabric, which makes it fairly