Choosing fabric by the yard is easier when you understand how it's woven. The name of a fabric doesn't describe its color or composition: it describes the structure in which the threads cross. And that structure determines how it drapes, how much it weighs, how it irons, and what it's used for.
The three basic weaves
Almost all fabrics are based on three ways of interlacing the weft and warp:
- Plain weave (flat fabric): one thread up, one down. The simplest and strongest. Poplin and voile come from this.
- Twill: the interlacings shift and form visible diagonals. More flexible and abrasion-resistant.
- Satin: threads float over the surface before crossing. Gives shine and a smooth feel.
Poplin
Fine, compact plain weave, usually sanforized (preshrunk). Smooth surface, good body, and a crisp appearance that holds up to ironing.
For: shirts, high-end bedding, uniforms. It's the fabric for 200-thread count sheets.
Satin
Weave with long floats that creates one shiny side and one matte side. Drapes fluidly and has a silky feel, though the surface is more delicate to friction.
For: tablecloths, table linen, linings, and garments where drape is important.
Twill
Recognizable by its diagonals. It's the work fabric par excellence: resistant, hides wrinkles well, and withstands heavy use.
For: uniforms, workwear, light upholstery, technical pants.
Voile
Very light and low-density plain weave, semi-transparent and breathable.
For: sheer curtains, light curtains, blouses, summer linings, airy garments.
Ticking
Dense fabric, traditionally striped, designed to contain down and fibers without them escaping.
For: bedspreads, mattress covers, cushions, upholstery.
Ottoman
Fabric with pronounced horizontal ribbing, with body and weight. Visible structure and good resistance.
For: bedspreads, heavy curtains, decorative upholstery.
What about composition?
It's the other half of the decision. The same weave behaves differently depending on the fiber:
- 100% cotton: breathable, natural feel, more wrinkles, and slower drying.
- 50/50 cotton-polyester: resistant, quick-drying, much less ironing. The professional standard.
- 65/35 and 60/40 CVC: intermediate proportion, with greater durability than pure cotton.
Greige, PFD, and white: what they mean
- Greige: unbleached fabric, with its natural color. For dyeing or rustic finishes.
- PFD (prepared for dyeing): prepared for dyeing, without any finish that interferes with the dye.
- White: already bleached and ready to use.
If you're going to dye, ask for greige or PFD. If the project is meant to be white, skip that step.
Width matters more than it seems
A wider width can significantly reduce waste when cutting and avoid seams in large pieces. For bedding or tablecloths, a fabric 280–330 cm wide allows for cutting a single piece without joins; for garment manufacturing, 150–160 cm is usually sufficient. Always calculate the yardage with the actual width in mind.
Our fabric by the yard range
In fabric by the yard, we offer poplin, satin, twill, voile, ticking, ottoman, and 144-thread count fabrics, in 100% cotton and blends, with widths from 145 to 330 cm and finishes in white, greige, and PFD. Sold by the yard, at source price.