What Is French Terry? The Ultimate Fabric Guide - Treasurie Blog

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This article will teach you everything you need to know about French terry fabric—what it is, how it’s made, and why it’s so popular. You might not hear about French terry every day, but chances are you already own clothing made from it without even realizing it. Soft, breathable, and perfect for casual wear like sweatshirts and joggers, French terry has become a go-to fabric for comfort and style. Read on to discover what makes French terry unique and why it’s loved by designers and home sewists alike.

What is French Terry?

French terry is defined as a light to mid-weight fabric that is often used in both active and casual apparel. Because it is a stretchy fabric, it is considered comfortable, durable, and easy to wash in the machine.

French terry is a kind of fabric that has been on the market since the 1980s. This fabric is made with terry cloth knitted in loops and soft yarn piles on the interior side of the garment. This manner of knitting allows for the exterior surface to retain a smooth surface and gives it a natural stretch. As a result, an absorbent, lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric is created that is highly comfortable to wear throughout the year.

It is widely used for clothing, including sweatpants, sweatshirts, pullovers, cardigans, hoodies, and shorts. French terry clothing is the ideal clothing choice for lounging or layering over workout clothes when going to the gym.

French Terry Summary

Here is a table summarizing the characteristics of French terry fabric.

Property	Description
Material	Typically made from cotton fibers or cotton blends.
Texture	Yarn loops piled on one side, smooth and soft on the other.
Breathability	Offers good breathability due to its looped construction.
Warmth	Moderate warmth, making it suitable for year-round use.
Absorbency	Highly absorbent due to looped pile, ideal for activewear.
Stretch	Generally has some stretch for comfort and mobility.
Durability	Robust and long-lasting, especially when well maintained.
Maintenance	Low-maintenance fabric, machine washable, easy to care for.
Comfort	Known for its plush, comfortable feel.
Style	Casual and versatile, used in loungewear and athletic apparel.

What is French Terry Made Of?

It is frequently made entirely of cotton or a combination of cotton and a small amount of rayon, polyester, lycra, or spandex. Producers have also devised a blend for French terry fabrics that includes soy fibers and organic cotton as a sustainable alternative.

French terry is generally heavier than a typical t-shirt. However, it is relatively lighter than cardigans, pullovers, and sweatshirts. Moreover, this is a fabric that can be worn alone at home or as a layer over or underneath another item.

What is French Terry Used For?

French terry clothing has soft and short piles of yarn on the interior side, making it more comfortable and cozy to wear. For this reason, it is used to make joggers, pants, hoodies, sweatpants, and lounge clothing.

Moreover, the surface inherently has moisture-wicking properties that absorb sweat and keep you dry. It can hold up moisture that weighs 27 percent heavier than its natural weight, making a practical fabric for almost every climate.

In addition to that, French terry makes for great loungewear. It features adequate flexibility and stretch that allows you to perform well when exercising, stretching, doing sports, and other activities. Its super comfy feel against the skin also makes it a great option for lounging.

While it is generally thicker, it still allows for enough breathability, and it can be used when layering in other pieces of clothing. This is because it is lighter than a sweatshirt and heavier than a T-shirt. This means that you can wear this clothing under or over other clothes all year round.

Types of French Terry Fabric

French terry comes in various types, to suit different clothing applications. Here are some common fabric types:

1. French Terry Knit

French terry may also refer to a knitting method using terry cloth. This method produces a fabric that has loops on one side and piles on the other. Because of this, it creates a plush and soft cloth that is not only comfortable to wear but also great for home use.

This knit creates a fabric that is similar to Jersey. This explains why many people often mistake French terry for Jersey, among other fabric types. Knitted fabrics like French terry feature interconnected loops that help prevent fraying and increase the fabric's stretchability.

Moreover, these knitted fabrics are extremely common for clothing because they add warmth to the wearer by allowing the clothing to stretch and shift with the wearer's body. That is why it is also commonly used for both activewear and loungewear.

These fabrics are also easy to maintain since they do not require special handwashing requirements or cleaning methods. The other knit fabric is the fleece.

2. 100% Cotton

Made entirely from cotton, this type is highly breathable and absorbent. It's ideal for warm weather wear and offers a natural feel. Many sweatshirts are made from this type of French terry. Some manufacturers use organic cotton as an eco-friendly option.

3. Blended Fiber

Polyester blended with cotton offers added durability and less shrinkage than pure cotton French terry. Grey marle-colored activewear made from French terry typically has a polyester blend. Stretchier French terry can be created with the addition of Spandex or Lycra.

4. Bamboo

Made from bamboo fibers, this type of French terry is eco-friendly, extremely soft, and has natural antibacterial properties. Best of all, it is moisture-wicking and suitable for sensitive skin.

5. Brushed French Terry

The fabric is brushed on the looped side, creating a softer, fluffier texture. This enhances warmth and comfort, ideal for cozy apparel.

French Terry vs Other Terry Fabrics

Towel Terry

Towel terry is by far the most common form of terry cloth available. It is also known as terry cloth. It has very straightforward uses, including shower towels, loungewear, baby and toddler clothing, bathroom wipes, and many more. Towel terry incorporates the woven techniques described previously, and the fabric feels identical on both sides. These loops are usually longer, allowing for optimum absorbency.

On the other hand, French terry is knitted with two distinct sides. One smooth side has short piles, while the other has the more traditional knitted loops for a more comfortable feel. Consequently, French Terry cloth is often used in wearables and is sometimes mixed with spandex to make activewear or workout clothes.

Terry Velour

Terry velour is also very much like French terry since it has one side that is smooth and flat and an opposite side that looks like typical terry cloth. Moreover, terry velour is generally characterized by one side that is covered with small loops that have been left uncut. However, the other side has a smooth and soft surface that resembles velour or velvet.

Terry velour is similar to French terry in that it is also used to create bathrobes or spa robes and printed beach towels. The only difference is that the soft side of terry velour, or the pile side, has a more luxurious, velvety look and feel. Also, it is plusher than both towel terry and French terry.

French Terry vs Fleece

Knitted fabrics, such as French terry and fleece, differ from woven fabrics. The difference is notable in the way the threads are interlocked to create the material. This affects the amount of stretch and the softness of the fabric. Both of these fabrics are considered single-knit fabrics. This means that they are constructed from a single yarn looped together.

In addition to this, we also have double-knit fabrics that combine single-knit fabrics into a two-layered sheet with an interwoven pattern. Another way to do this is through a warp knit, which creates a fabric in a zigzag pattern with knitted several loops of yarn together. That said, these fabrics have a greater range of motion than double knits or single knits.

While both fleece and French terry fabrics can keep you warmer than t-shirts or workout clothing, the two fabrics have some distinct characteristics. The French terry fabric is a light to mid-weight fabric while fleece is generally heavier and a tad bit bulkier.

Due to the differences in their manufacturing process, fleece is less breathable than French terry. Fleece also lacks the moisture-wicking and high-absorptive properties, which may mean that it won't keep you dry or warm.

In summary, French terry is a more versatile fabric than fleece. This is despite the two fabrics sharing numerous features and generally being used in a similar fashion. Besides, the fabric to wear will rely on both the aftercare practices of the individual and the surrounding climate and environment.

Aftercare and Laundry

One of the best qualities of French terry fabrics is that they are generally low-maintenance. Unlike most fabrics, it has great resistance to wrinkling and creasing. Knitted fabrics typically have a natural flexibility and stretch to them, so they won't wrinkle even when used multiple times.

As a result, these clothing pieces do not need to be dry cleaned. It can be machine-washable to save you a lot of time. Just ensure to wash in cold water, then tumble dry on low to get optimal results. This also helps to retain its quality and colors for a longer time.

Another great thing about this fabric composition is that it does not retain stains and odors in the wash. So, you can expect faster washing times and fewer odors compared to synthetic fabrics. This is especially true for French Terry, which is 100% cotton. This can also be attributed to the organic cotton threads blended into the knitting. 

French Terry FAQs

Does French terry wrinkle?

Compared to many other fabrics, it is relatively wrinkle-resistant, especially if it has a small amount of polyester or Spandex added. This wrinkle resistance is due to its looped knit constructions, which allow for flexibility. If your Frency terry fabric has wrinkled, try just hanging the item up for a short time and applying gentle steam. As always, read the care label.

In Conclusion

French terry is a common cotton fabric that you will in your usual clothing like hoodies, sweatpants, shorts, and pullovers. We can conclude that French terry is among the most versatile fabrics that can match any weather, environment, or activity. It is super comfortable, flexible, and midweight without being too light or heavy. That said, it deserves a spot in our wardrobe and our home.  We hope this article helps!

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