There are so many types of fabrics available to us, whether we want to sew ourselves a new garment or maybe something for the home – options are endless and it can be overwhelming.
I have found myself becoming more drawn towards different types of textured fabrics.
Perhaps it’s the more tactile nature of fabrics with more texture to them or just the idea that textured fabrics often equal fabrics for colder months. Either way, I love them and I wanted to share more information with you about this specific type of fabric.
What Is Textured Fabric?
Textured fabrics are fabrics that have an irregular surface and by this, I mean textiles that are not smooth to the touch as we’re used to experiencing.
Some will feel coarse to the touch, others soft and fluffy but these different textures provide fabrics with a unique look that isn’t always noticeable from afar but becomes very apparent when viewed up close. The different textures of these fabrics are dependent on how it has been woven or knitted, and the types of fiber used.
By running your hand over them, it will be considerably easier to understand the difference between textured and non-textured fabrics. For example, a non-textured fabric using cotton and standard weave will have a smooth surface.
Take, for example, your basic denim jeans, which are usually woven cotton. Run your hand across the surface, and you will feel a constant and smooth feeling. On the flip side, textured fabrics, like boucle or velvet, have a feel when you run a hand over their surface – they feel fuzzy, or ‘not smooth’ and it is this texture that I am referring to..
Nap Vs Pile
Before we dive into the different types of textured fabric we should touch on the difference between nap and pile.
You may have encountered pile and napped fabrics previously and wondered what they are and their differences. Napped fabrics can also be referred to as pile fabrics, but they do have one distinct difference that you should know about.
Napped fabrics are fabrics that utilize a unique finishing process that compensates for not using any special weaving process. Instead, napped fabrics treat the fabric’s surface so that it stands upright. The most commonly used finishing process for nap fabrics is brushing; yes, fleece and flannel are two examples of napped fabrics.
So, the nap and pile of fabric refer to whether the surface of the textile is “raised” and its density.
Also note that there are two types of pile fabrics: warp-pile and filling-pile fabric. The warp-pile material is made of warp yarn (like velvet), while the filling pile is formed using filling yarn (the weft in woven fabrics).
I have a new article on fluffy fabric types if you’re more into fluff than texture!
How Does Textured Fabric Differ From Non-Textured Types?
The main difference between these two fabrics boils down to the feel of the textile. If it is smooth with a consistent weave, then it is non-textured. However, if it is coarse or rough with an irregular pattern, it is a textured fabric.
The primary appeal of textured fabric is its irregular feel and more unique look – and it explains in part why more people have been turning to fabricating their own textured fabrics.
I find that textured fabrics can also be comfortable for the skin, as is the case with flannel, faux fur, and fleece.
What Are The Different Types Of Textured Fabric?
Right, let’s dive into the different types of fabric that are considered to be textured! I’ll also provide you with some ideas on what you could use each fabric type for, in terms of garment making!
Burlap
Burlap is made using fibers derived from the jute plant. It has a coarse texture and a natural brown color. Burlap fabric is quite durable and is often used in making sacks, ropes, and nets. It could also be used to create clothes, but the more coarse texture does tend to cause some skin irritation so it isn’t advised.
For the most part, burlap is used to make eco-friendly bags and sacks. However, it can also be used as a decorative material due to its rustic charm and can work well for making hats, bags or even using it as small accents or trims on clothing items.
Boucle
Bouclé – French for buckled – fabric has a nubby texture due to its use of different-sized loops. You’ll find that the surface feels a little ‘knotted’ when you touch it, and this is down to the combination of fibers used, their weights and the pattern used to weave it.
Boucle is often woven with a combination of fibers – cotton, silk, wool and lurex are commonly used – and the resulting fabric is used for jackets, coats and skirts.
Chenille
Chenille is quite a unique-looking fabric, and the name itself is French for “caterpillar,” which was given to the raised vertical lines across the fabric’s surface.
This textured fabric is commonly used to make particular upholstery and bedding, but we’re here for the garments right? And sweaters are a common use for chenille fabric which work well with the chunky fabric.
I should note – and this is really for the benefit of those who, like me, don’t like the feel of velvet – chenille does have a slightly velvety surface. Enough of one that I personally wouldn’t be making any clothing from it.
Chinchilla
Not to be confused with the real chinchilla fur, chinchilla fabric is a textured fabric made from yarn that has been turned into nubs, naps, and tufts. The surface of the chinchilla fabric has a soft feel but with an irregular texture.
Chinchilla fabric is usually made from wool or wool blends with some adding cotton warp to improve the textile’s durability.
You could use chinchilla fabric for a variety of clothing items such as coats and hats.
Crepe
Like the delicious pancake named after, crepe fabric is a lightweight and somewhat crinkled type of fabric. The slightly wrinkled texture is deliberate and is part of crepe’s appeal. It is made from a variety of fibers, from natural silk or wool to man-made fiber like polyester.
The way that crepe fabric is created is interesting: the fibers are twisted in one direction prior to weaving – known as hard twisting – and are then woven in a tight twisted pattern to create the crinkled effect.
The variety of crepe fabrics on offer make it a popular choice for creating gowns for special occasions but it is also used for more everyday items of clothing like dresses, skirts and blouses.
Faux Fur
Faux fur is made from synthetic fibers and designed to look similar to natural animal fur, to a certain extent.It can be constructed as a knitted or a woven fabric.
In addition to the advantage of not requiring actual animal skin to produce, faux fur is considered by some to be a cost-effective, sustainable, and more eco-friendly alternative. I wouldn’t personally agree with this statement as it has become clear that faux fur fabrics are actually quite nasty for the environment.
Due to the design of faux fur – it aims to mimic natural hair as closely as possible – the texture often has a slightly irregular pattern, made from the ‘hairs’ being of uneven length, and the fabric itself is considered to be equally as comfortable as genuine fur.
I myself have worked with faux fur on several occasions and found it to be easier to work with than the rabbit fur I once used, at the insistence of a fashion school lecturer.
Faux fur can be used to create jackets or coats, and I even attempted to make a skirt from it one time – not my most successful design I have to say, it added a LOT of volume to the hip area that wasn’t figure friendly!
I have an article covering the differences between faux fur vs real fur as well as their environmental and ethical impact.
Felt
Felt fabric is a versatile material that can be made using various fibers, either natural or synthetic. While many of the fabrics listed here are woven, felt fabric is actually created by pressing together and matting yarns to create the fabric. Felt also has a unique texture, with its surface being slightly rough to the touch.
Felt is a durable and strong fabric that can hold its shape well but can also be a great insulating fabric for those colder months.
As well as being used for hats, slippers and bags, felt is also used to make coats and jackets.
Flocked
Flocked fabrics have a unique design which is achieved using a multi-step process involving adhesive binders, fine fibers such and sometimes even glitters!
The resulting flocked fabric has a raised texture created from the ‘pile’ of the added fibers standing out from the fabric.
Flocked fabrics can be quite simple in design or more elaborate and feature a variety of colors and patterns! This makes it a great fabric for different types of clothing.
Huckaback
Huckaback fabric uses the dobby weave, which gives this textured textile its honeycomb pattern. It is usually made from lightly woven cotton or linen, and because of its excellent water-absorbent properties this type of fabric is generally used in making towels and washcloths.
That has not stopped it from being used as a fabric for skirts, dresses and bathrobes in the home sewing community.
Jacquard
Jacquard fabric is one of my all time favorite fabric types. Not because it is considered to be a somewhat luxurious fabric, but because I love the way jacquard features intricate patterns that are created using an old and complex traditional technique resulting in beautiful designs that are visible on both sides.
The weaving process also gives jacquard fabric a slightly raised texture which is why it is here on my list of textured fabric types!.
Jacquard fabrics can be made from different types of fibers ranging from natural (silk) to synthetic (polyester), with the former tending to be more expensive and luxurious.
You can use jacquard type fabrics for all sorts of garments, from jackets and waistcoats to dresses and trousers.
Lace
Lace is a beautiful fabric no matter which type of lace you opt for! It is made in several ways and its web-like look is a popular choice for lingerie and other clothing types.
Traditional lace fabrics were made using silk threads, but modern lace generally uses cotton for its cost-effective production and comfort.
In clothing, lace can be used as little decorative flourishes on hems or more for formal garments such as wedding gowns.
Ribbed Knits
Ribbed knits are very stretchy and feature ridges that can be seen on both sides. This type of textured fabric is usually made from cotton, but it is common to find blended fabrics that also squeeze in some spandex to optimize the stretchiness.
Ribbed knit fabrics are knitted fabric types, and are generally used in making hems, neckbands, and cuffs due to their stretchiness, but lighter weight ribbed fabrics are also used for tank tops or close fit maxi dresses too.
Seersucker
Seersucker (a funny-sounding fabric if I ever heard one) is a pretty apt name for this textured fabric. The most distinct feature of seersucker fabric is its puckered surface, which gives this textile a slightly wrinkled look and is achieved thanks to the way the fabric is woven, which forces some of the threads to get bunched together.
Another notable property of the seersucker fabric is that the puckered surface isn’t just for show. Instead, the raised surface of this garment helps keep most of the material off your skin. In turn, this improves breathability, which is why seersucker fabric is often used in creating summer clothes such as shorts, shirts and jackets.
Learn more about seersucker fabric and how to sew with it!
Suede
While not technically a fabric, suede is still a textured material that is used in the making of garments so it makes sense to include it here.
You’ll often find jackets, skirts, pants and even bags made from suede, and one of the primary reasons for this is the soft texture it has, different from the smoothness of leather.
Tweed
Tweed is made using the herringbone weave with wool fibers. This combination of yarn and weave gives tweed fabric a rougher texture. As a result, you can find tweed fabric in cold-weather clothes such as jackets and coats.
The more rigid properties of tweed fabric also lend to its improved durability, making it an excellent textile for creating outdoor clothing.
Terrycloth
Terry cloth is typically made from cotton, but it is versatile enough to find variations made from linen, silk, and even polyester. One particular characteristic of terrycloth is its rough texture. The coarse feel of its surface is due to the densely packed loops that are present on both sides of this textured fabric.
Terry cloth fabric is also ubiquitous, as it is usually used in making towels and washcloths. As you would have guessed, terry cloth fabric also has decent water absorbency, so feel free to make yourself a terry cloth bathrobe!
Velvet
It had to be added – despite my very strong dislike of this textured fabric – because it is considered a luxury textile and, as such, is typically used in creating elegant dresses, gowns, and other formalwear.
Velvet can be made from natural fibers such as cotton, linen, and wool or synthetic fibers.
The construction of velvet fabric allows it to have a rather silky smooth texture. This quality is achieved by weaving, which packs the threads tight and short.
You can learn more about the different types of velvet here!
Waffle knit
Waffle knit fabric is another accurate name as this fabric’s surface resembles the appearance of everyone’s favorite breakfast. With a closer look at the fabric, you will notice the small waffle-like patterns on its surface and is also well-known for its comfortable texture.
Another advantage of this textured fabric is its excellent thermal insulation properties. As a result, you will typically find this garment used in towels, washcloths, undergarments, and other tight-fitting clothes.
Wool
A popular fabric for winter clothing, wool is famous for its coarse yet comfortable texture. This textured fabric is generally made from animal fur, particularly sheep, but it can also come from rabbits, goats, llamas, and alpacas.
The wool fibers are spun together and woven into a fabric. While it might cause some allergic reactions, you cannot go wrong with wool to keep you warm during the biting cold winter nights.
Wool fabrics are generally used in the making of winter coats, jackets, different types of sweaters, and blankets.
Since this fabric is made from actual animal fur (in most cases), special care is needed when cleaning wool. I usually hand wash mine to prevent felting or shrinking, but just remember to follow the washing instructions as indicated on the label, and you should be fine.
This is not an exhaustive list of all the types of textured fabric that are available, but it’s the list of fabrics I have had experience with. I’ll be sure to update it often as new fabrics are created and used, but if there are any I have missed that you feel should be added do let me know in the comments!
In the meantime, do pop over to learn more about fluffy fabric types, loosely woven fabrics or perhaps you’d like an in-depth guide exploring the ethics and sustainability of faux fur vs real fur?