Home Fabric Type French Terry

French Terry Fabric
by the yard

French Terry fabric is a medium-weight knit known for its soft face and looped back that provides breathable warmth and flexibility. Usually weighing 140–650gsm, it’s made from 100% cotton, cotton–polyester blends, or cotton with 5–10% spandex. The inner loops add light insulation without heaviness, giving this fabric its signature cozy yet breathable feel — perfect for all-season casual apparel.

Fabric Composition: 100% Cotton / Cotton-Poly Blends / Cotton-Spandex Blends
Typical GSM: 140–650gsm
Applications: Hoodies, Sweatshirts, Joggers, Loungewear Sets, Lightweight Jackets, Baby Clothing
Available Colors: Heather Gray, Charcoal, Navy, Blush Pink, Olive, Oatmeal, Sand

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Why French Terry Fabric Stands Apart

Signature Loop-Back Construction for Everyday Comfort

French terry is a knit fabric defined by its smooth, flat face and soft looped interior — a structure that traps warmth without the bulk of traditional fleece. This makes it an ideal choice for DIY sweatshirts, hoodies, and relaxed-fit joggers that need to move with the wearer. Unlike heavier options, our cotton fabric blends used in french terry deliver breathability alongside that cozy hand feel, making it genuinely wearable across seasons. Whether you're cutting yardage for a single garment or a full production run, the consistent loop structure ensures reliable results every time.

Heavyweight GSM Options Up to 650gsm

Our French terry collection spans a wide weight range, from mid-weight everyday options through to substantial 650gsm heavyweight fabric built for structured outerwear and premium loungewear lines. Heavier GSM weights drape with authority and hold their shape wash after wash, making them a favourite among small-batch streetwear brands and independent sewists alike. If you prefer a fabric with four-directional stretch for athletic or fitted silhouettes, explore our 4 Way Stretch Fabric range as a complementary option. For projects demanding added softness in a lighter knit, Modal Fabric is another material worth considering alongside french terry.

Versatile Applications From Loungewear to Craft Projects

French terry's adaptability is one of its greatest commercial strengths — it performs equally well in adult loungewear, children's casualwear, and even home textile projects like blanket fabric applications where a soft, absorbent surface is desirable. Its stable knit structure means it doesn't fray aggressively at cut edges, which simplifies construction for beginners and speeds up production for experienced makers. Crafters also reach for french terry when working on craft fabric projects that call for a forgiving, easy-to-handle textile. The fabric's natural stretch recovery means finished garments retain their shape even after repeated wear and washing.

Stacked neutral textiles on a wooden table showing smooth knit surfaces and soft looped interior textures in a studio.

Premium French Terry Fabric Sold by the Yard

French Terry Fabric by the yard gives sewists, small-batch designers, and wholesale buyers direct access to one of the most versatile knit textiles in casual and activewear production. Our range includes 100% cotton constructions as well as cotton-blend options, covering everything from lightweight summer-ready weights to heavyweight 650gsm fabric built for serious outerwear. The smooth face and looped interior that define french terry make it uniquely suited to garments that need to look polished on the outside while remaining supremely comfortable against the skin. Because we stock fabric across a broad GSM spectrum, you can source everything from delicate children's romper fabric to structured adult hoodies from a single trusted supplier. For projects where breathability is a top priority, our Breathable Fabric category offers complementary options that pair well with french terry in layered constructions.

Stacked sage green and blue textiles on a wooden table with heather grey material draping over the side.

Order French Terry With No Minimums, Ship Globally

One of the most common frustrations wholesale fabric buyers face is being locked into large minimum order quantities before they can even test a fabric in production. At Global Fabric Wholesale, we've removed that barrier entirely — you can order as little as a single yard of french terry fabric to sample the weight, colour, and hand feel before committing to a larger cut. This makes our platform equally useful for independent sewists working on a one-off project and for emerging brands developing a new loungewear or streetwear collection. We ship globally, so whether you're based in North America, Europe, or further afield, your french terry yardage arrives reliably and at competitive wholesale pricing.

Our french terry selection pairs naturally with a number of complementary fabrics for multi-fabric projects. If you're building out a full activewear or loungewear range, consider browsing our Spandex Fabric for waistbands, cuffs, and performance panels, or our Cotton Fabric category for coordinating woven pieces. For those working on casualwear collections that call for a range of knit textures, Brushed Fabric is another popular option that complements the looped aesthetic of french terry beautifully. Whatever your project scope, our no-minimum ordering policy and global shipping mean you can build your fabric library at your own pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between French terry and regular fleece?

French terry has a smooth, flat outer face with soft, uncut loops on the inside, while traditional fleece is brushed on both sides to create a fuzzy, pile-like texture throughout. This gives french terry a cleaner, more polished exterior that works well for casual tops and sweatpants without looking overly sporty. Fleece tends to feel warmer and heavier for equivalent weights, whereas french terry offers better breathability for transitional-season wear. Both are loop-knit constructions, but the finishing process is what sets them apart in terms of look and function.

Is French terry fabric suitable for making hoodies and sweatpants?

Absolutely — french terry is one of the most popular fabric choices for DIY hoodies, sweatpants, and zip-up jackets precisely because its structure mimics the feel of ready-to-wear athletic and loungewear. The smooth outer face takes screen printing and embroidery well, while the looped interior provides the soft, comfortable lining people expect from sweatshirt-weight garments. We recommend choosing a weight between 300gsm and 500gsm for standard hoodies, while 550–650gsm weights are better suited to structured outerwear or premium-feel garments.

Does French terry fabric shrink after washing?

Like most cotton-rich knit fabrics, french terry can experience some shrinkage — typically between 3% and 8% — during the first wash, especially in hot water. Pre-washing your fabric before cutting and sewing is strongly recommended to account for this shrinkage and ensure your finished garment retains its intended dimensions. Washing in cool or warm water on a gentle cycle and tumble drying on low heat will help minimise ongoing shrinkage after the initial wash. If your french terry contains a spandex or elastane component, avoid high heat as this can degrade the stretch fibres over time.

What GSM weight should I choose for my French terry project?

The right GSM depends on what you're making: lighter weights around 200–280gsm are great for T-shirt-weight french terry used in summer sweatshirts or children's clothing, while 300–420gsm is the sweet spot for classic adult hoodies and joggers. If you're sewing structured outerwear, premium loungewear sets, or want a noticeably substantial hand feel, our heavyweight options up to 650gsm deliver that high-end drape and body. When in doubt, consider the season your garment is intended for — heavier weights retain more warmth, while mid-weights offer year-round versatility.

Can French terry fabric be used for children's clothing?

Yes, french terry is an excellent choice for children's garments because its soft looped interior is gentle against sensitive skin and the fabric's natural stretch makes it easy for kids to move freely. It is commonly used for baby rompers, toddler joggers, kids' hoodies, and school casual wear. 100% cotton french terry is particularly popular for children's apparel as it is breathable, easy to launder, and less likely to cause irritation than synthetic alternatives. Always pre-wash fabric before sewing children's clothing to remove any finishing agents and to pre-shrink the material.

Order more than 300KG ?

Sure! Please contact our team for bulk order support and special pricing.

Custom Printed Fabric

Yes, we offer custom printing — share your design and we’ll bring it to life on your chosen fabric.