The term “French terry” came from the word tirer, meaning to pull. The construction of this fabric takes place by looping it on one side and giving it a soft texture on the loopless end. French Terry fabric is a very popular material in the textile industry due to its several uses and benefits in terms of crafting high-standard clothing products.
This blog is going to serve you as a guide regarding properties, practicality, uses, and advantages of French terry.
History of French Terry Fabric
The fabric first became practical in the 19th century. It became popular due to the surge in high-quality athletic clothing after the turn of the millennium.
In the 1800s, manufacturers introduced a technique that involved pulling silk’s long knots from thick woven cloth to make terry cloth. This resulted in the rise of this material. Cotton took the place of silk in modern French terry.
What Are the Properties of French Terry Material?
French terry fabric is reputed because of several reasons, considering its versatility, durability, comfort, texture, and aesthetic appeal. This fabric is commonly practical in making highly ventilating, strong, and comfortable products like sweaters, joggers, and loungewear.
Here are some of the promising properties french terry that you should know about:
Comfort
French terry is a highly comfortable material due to its softness and gentle feel. Its underside looped-pile texture makes it exceptionally comfortable and luxurious. The enhanced comfort and luxury makes it ideal for activewear and loungewear products.
Light Fabric
Despite its plush feel, French Terry fabric is also breathable. The looped pile structure allows air to circulate, preventing overheating and promoting comfort, especially during physical activities or warmer weather. This breathability helps regulate body temperature, keeping you cool and dry.
Moisture Wicking Properties
Many French terry fabrics are designed with moisture-wicking properties, which means they can effectively draw moisture away from the skin and towards the fabric’s surface, where it can evaporate more easily.
This feature is particularly beneficial during workouts or in humid conditions, helping to keep you feeling fresh and comfortable.
Versatile
French terry fabric is incredibly versatile, suitable for a wide range of clothing applications. From sweatshirts and hoodies to joggers, shorts, and even dresses, this fabric can be used to create various styles of garments for different occasions.
Its ability to strike a balance between comfort and style makes it a popular choice among designers and consumers alike.
Softness
Despite its softness, French terry fabric is durable and long-lasting. The looped pile construction adds strength to the fabric, reducing the risk of pulling or tearing, even with frequent wear and washing.
This durability ensures that garments made from French terry fabric maintain their quality and appearance over time, providing excellent value for money.
Easy Care
Another advantage of French Terry fabric is its low-maintenance nature. Most garments made from this fabric are machine washable and can withstand regular laundering without losing their shape or softness.
This convenience makes French Terry clothing an effortless choice for everyday wear.
Fashionable Aesthetics
Beyond its functional benefits, French terry fabric also offers a fashionable aesthetic. Its textured surface adds visual interest to garments, while its soft drape enhances the overall look and feel. Whether used in athleisure or casual streetwear, French Terry fabric lends a stylish yet relaxed vibe to any outfit.
French terry fabric is considered perfect due to its unmatched comfort, breathability, moisture-wicking properties, versatility, durability, easy care, and fashionable aesthetic.
Whether you’re lounging at home, hitting the gym, or running errands, clothing made from French Terry fabric offers the perfect blend of style and functionality.
The Use of French Terry in Different Types of Clothes
French terry fabric is incredibly versatile and is used to make a wide variety of clothing items suitable for different occasions and lifestyles. The best French Terry fabric uses and some common types of clothes made from the fabric include:
Hoodies and Sweatshirts
French Terry fabric is a popular choice for sweatshirts and hoodies due to its softness, comfort, and warmth. These garments are perfect for casual wear, lounging, or layering during cooler weather. Luckily, we are the best sweatshirt manufacturers that craft the finest quality sweatshirts and hoodies with French Terry and all other types of materials.
Sweatpants and Joggers
Comfortable and stylish, joggers and sweatpants made from French terry fabric are ideal for both lounging at home and running errands. The fabric’s breathability and moisture-wicking properties make it suitable for light exercise or gym sessions.
Casual Wear and Outerwear
French terry fabric is also used to create casual dresses and outerwear like skirts. These garments offer the perfect blend of comfort and style, making them suitable for everyday wear or casual outings.
Athletic Clothing
Whether it’s athletic shorts for workouts or casual shorts for leisure, French terry fabric provides comfort and ease of movement, making it an excellent choice for warm-weather bottoms.
Kids Apparel
French terry fabric is frequently used in children’s clothing due to its softness and durability. It’s commonly found in baby onesies, rompers, and toddler jogger sets, providing comfort and ease of movement for little ones.
Loungewear
Coordinating loungewear sets, including matching tops and bottoms, are often made from French terry fabric. These sets offer both comfort and style for relaxing at home or running casual errands.
French terry fabric is versatile enough to be used in a wide range of clothing items, from casual basics to athleisure pieces, providing comfort, style, and functionality for various occasions.
Advantages of French Terry Fabric
French Terry fabric is popular for numerous reasons. It offers several advantages:
-
Environmentally Friendly
French terry is made of organic cotton that is biodegradable, renewable, and vegan. These traits make cotton-made French terry an environmentally friendly material.
-
Stretch Ability
Stretching is one of the most promising traits of French Terry since the ability to stretch is spot on and the cloth doesn’t lose its shape. In other words, it has the ultimate stretch ability that is ideal for clothes like yoga apparel, which requires flexibility.
-
Low Maintenance
French terry is not easily torn because of its stretch ability. It doesn’t lose its texture, shape, or quality even after being washed several times with a regular detergent.
-
Midweight Material
One of the best things about French Terry is its midweight fabric that allows you to wear the clothes in different temperatures. If it’s a windy day, a French Terry pullover would do great for you. In short, it is a breathable fabric with an ideal weight for every averagely pleasant weather.
Comparison with Other Fabrics
French Terry vs Fleece
There is a big debate on French terry vs. fleece, comprising the benefits and uses they offer individually. However, French terry fleece is an absolute marvel when it comes to providing warmth and comfort in winter.
The blend makes a perfect material for various types of clothing. Fleece fabric has a lot of properties, which is why it can work with other materials just fine.
05 Tips of Care and Maintenance of French Terry Fabric
French terry fabric is known for its low-maintenance qualities, making it a popular choice for clothing. Unlike some materials, it doesn’t wrinkle easily and doesn’t require dry cleaning. It’s machine-washable, which adds to its convenience.
Here are the tips to keep the French Terry in perfect condition:
- For optimal longevity, wash the fabric in cold water using a gentle cycle.
- Use a mild detergent to safeguard the integrity of the fabric.
- Avoid utilizing fabric softeners and bleach, as they may compromise the fabric’s fibers and color vibrancy.
- Either utilize a low heat setting in the tumble dryer or opt for air drying by hanging the fabric when drying the fabric.
- While ironing French Terry, exercise caution by using a low heat setting or a pressing cloth to mitigate any potential fabric damage.
What is French Terry Material Made of?—The Fabric Blends
French Terry fabric is primarily made from cotton, although it can also incorporate other materials to enhance its properties.
Cotton
Cotton is the most common material used in French terry fabric. It is prized for its softness, breathability, and comfort against the skin. Cotton fibers are spun and knitted into loops to create the characteristic looped pile texture on one side of the fabric.
Polyester
Polyester may be blended with cotton in French terry fabric to add durability, wrinkle resistance, and moisture-wicking properties. Polyester fibers are often incorporated into the fabric blend to enhance its performance, particularly in activewear and athletic garments.
Spandex or Lycra
Spandex or Lycra fibers are sometimes added to French terry fabric to provide stretch and flexibility. This elasticity allows the fabric to comfortably conform to the body’s movements, making it ideal for activewear, leggings, and other form-fitting garments.
Viscose
Viscose, also known as rayon, is a semi-synthetic fiber derived from natural sources like wood pulp. It may be blended with cotton in French terry fabric to enhance drape, moisture absorption, and breathability while maintaining a soft feel against the skin.
Bamboo
Bamboo fibers are eco-friendly and naturally antimicrobial, making them a sustainable choice for French terry fabric. Bamboo may be blended with cotton to enhance moisture-wicking properties and add a silky-smooth texture to the fabric.
Conclusion
In conclusion, French terry fabric stands out as a versatile and favored choice in the realm of textiles, offering a harmonious blend of comfort, functionality, and style. Its primary constituent, cotton, ensures a soft touch against the skin, while its looped pile construction provides plushness and breathability, making it ideal for a diverse array of clothing items.
Whether used in the creation of cozy sweatshirts and hoodies, practical activewear, or fashionable athleisure pieces, French terry fabric excels in delivering both comfort and performance.
Moreover, its ability to incorporate materials such as polyester, spandex, viscose, and bamboo further enhances its properties, including durability, stretch, moisture-wicking capabilities, and eco-friendliness.
This adaptability makes French Terry fabric suitable for various lifestyles, from casual lounging to intense workouts, catering to the needs and preferences of a broad consumer base.
In essence, French terry fabric embodies the perfect marriage of form and function, offering a seamless combination of comfort, durability, and style. Its enduring popularity underscores its status as a staple in contemporary fashion, destined to remain a cherished choice for years to come.
FAQs
What is French Terry Lining called?
French terry lining is called “terry lining” or “terry cloth.”
Is French terry fabric for summer or winter?
French terry material can be used for both summer and winter. However, It depends on the weight of the composition.
Does French Terry shrink?
Yes, French terry may shrink if not properly cared for while washing and drying.
Is French Terry more expensive?
French Terry is comparatively expensive considering basic cotton’s cost. It is a bit costly due to its unique texture properties.
What is the difference between French Terry and Terry Cloth?
French Terry has the looped texture on one side, while Terry cloth has loops on both sides.
What is the GSM of French Terry fabric?
The GSM (grams per square meter) typically ranges from 180 GSM to 350 GSM. However, the GSM of the fabric can depend on its intended use,