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Dress Fabrics for Dressmaking

Dress Fabrics for Dressmaking

Explore our collection of dress fabrics, sourced from mills across the UK and Europe. From cotton lawn and linen to silk, Italian wool and viscose, each fabric is chosen for quality, drape and durability - ideal for dresses, blouses, tailoring and occasionwear.

Browse by fibre type to narrow your search, including linen dress fabrics, silk dress fabrics and wool dress fabrics. You can also shop by fabric type - crepe, satin, jersey or cotton poplin - to find the right material for your project.

Much of our range includes ex-designer and mill-end pieces, including Italian-made fabrics and deadstock finds alongside everyday staples. Whether you're sewing a wardrobe staple or something special, you'll find natural fibres, blends and statement prints all in one place.
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  • Bronzed Glitz - Floral Sequins Polyester Elastane Net Velvet Fabric Bronzed Glitz Floral Sequins Twist

    Bronzed Glitz - Floral Sequins

    145cm wide, polyester & elastane velvet netted sequin fabric with bronze floral sequin detailing.

    €39,90 per metre
  • Made in Italy Turkish Delight Turkish Delight Pink Orange Abstract Viscose Dress Fabric Roll

    Turkish Delight

    137cm wide, Italian viscose twill weave dress fabric with a vibrant abstract Eastern-inspired design.

    €21,90 per metre
  • Made in Italy Avorio Avorio Cotton Cream Dobby Weave Coating Fabric CU

    Avorio

    Italian cotton suiting fabric with a subtle dobby weave on ivory, 122cm wide.

    (1)
    €25,90 per metre
  • Maeve Maeve Red Viscose Elastane Stretch Woven Dress Fabric Fold

    Maeve

    148cm wide, 97% viscose and 3% elastane lightweight dress fabric in a stunning red hue.

    €7,90 per metre
  • Made in Italy+ More colours EZIO - Pia Ezio Rorschach Viscose Acetate Abstract Print Red Green Italian Lining Fabric

    EZIO - Pia

    140cm wide, superb quality lining fabric made from viscose & acetate, featuring an abstract print in a red/green hue.

    €7,90 per metre
  • + More colours Double Gauze - Navy Double Gauze Navy Folded

    Double Gauze - Navy

    135cm wide, cotton double gauze fabric in navy blue, 130gsm, breathable and Oeko-Tex certified.

    (1)
    €9,90 per metre
  • + More colours Jersey Cord - Grey Jersey Corduroy Grey Cotton Polyester Elastane Plush Knitted Dress Fabric

    Jersey Cord - Grey

    150cm wide, cotton & polyester jersey corduroy fabric in grey with a soft, velvety texture.

    €17,90 per metre
  • + More colours Jersey Cord - Mauve Jersey Corduroy Mauve Cotton Polyester Elastane Plush Knitted Dress Fabric

    Jersey Cord - Mauve

    Mauve purple jersey corduroy fabric with a soft stretch finish, 150cm wide.

    €17,90 per metre
  • + More colours Dread Naught - New Black Dread Naught New Black Polyester Woven Suiting Fabric Roll

    Dread Naught - New Black

    This 144cm wide, polyester suiting fabric in black is excellent for formal wear, dressmaking and special occasions!

    €7,90 per metre
  • Brushed Twill - Khaki Brushed Twill Khaki Cotton Woven Fine Trouser Fabric Roll

    Brushed Twill - Khaki

    140cm wide, lightweight brushed 100% cotton twill fabric in dull khaki.

    €13,90 per metre
  • + More colours Pleather - Pearl Pearl Pizzazz Ivory Pleather Satin Polyester Fabric Roll

    Pleather - Pearl

    Polyester and nylon blend pleather fabric in ivory with a satin finish, perfect for statement trousers, skirts and jackets!

    €7,90 per metre
  • + More colours Coast - Buttermilk Coast Buttermilk Linen Look Dress Fabric Ivory John Kaldor Swirl

    Coast - Buttermilk

    145cm wide, linen-look polyester fabric in cream. With subtle slub texture and thicker yarns.

    (2)
    €13,90 per metre
  • Midnight Glitz Midnight Glitz Sequin Black Polyester Jersey Dress Fabric Side

    Midnight Glitz

    Our 158cm wide, polyester jersey fabric in black with a sequinned detailing all-over is ideal for party wear!

    €7,90 per metre
  • Melanie Not For The Dull Girls Mel Soft Stretch Cotton Elastane Dress Material Soft White Red Green Flowers Fold

    Melanie

    Cotton elastane dress and trouser fabric in a vibrant large red with green floral print.

    €15,90 per metre
  • Made in Italy Flowing Satin - Pinky Pinky Cream Black Pink Floral Print Viscose Dress Fabric Roll

    Flowing Satin - Pinky

    147cm wide, soft flowing viscose satin with abstract floral design in black and pink.

    €19,90 per metre
  • Made in Italy Rubina Italian 100% Viscose Wine Red Suiting Fabric Rubina Roll

    Rubina

    137cm wide, woven viscose satin in wine red with a lovely drape and elegant sheen.

    €21,90 per metre
  • Rope Knit - Black Rope Knit Black Rayon Nylon Polyester Cable Knit Stretch Jersey Dress Fabric

    Rope Knit - Black

    Rayon, nylon and polyester blend cable knit jersey fabric in black, perfect for stretchy cardigans or jumpers.

    (1)
    €17,90 per metre
  • Made in Italy Viscose Lawn - Rusty Rusty Cream Orange Abstract Print Viscose Dress Fabric Roll

    Viscose Lawn - Rusty

    135cm wide, 100% viscose lawn dress fabric woven in Italy with a brown abstract leaf print on ivory.

    (1)
    €21,90 per metre
  • Ivory Sands Ivory Sands Textured Sateen Polyester Spandex Dress Fabric Fold

    Ivory Sands

    This ivory recycled polyester and spandex blend crepe dress fabric is perfect for blouses, dresses and bridal wear!

    €17,90 per metre
  • Made in Italy Diamond Drape Italian Viscose Black Diamond Dress Fabric Diamond Drape Roll

    Diamond Drape

    147cm wide, 100% viscose dress fabric in black with a small diamond weave. Woven in Italy.

    €19,90 per metre
  • + More colours 100% Wool Fleece - Scarlet Red

    100% Wool Fleece - Scarlet Red

    143cm wide 100% Australian virgin wool fleece in scarlet red, mulesing-free with a soft fleece finish.

    €29,90 per metre
  • Brushed Cotton - Little Star Brushed Cotton Little Star Silver White Winceyette Fabric Fold

    Brushed Cotton - Little Star

    White brushed cotton flannel with a silver star print and soft cosy finish.

    (2)
    €9,90 per metre
  • Made in Italy Westwood Italian 100% Brushed Cotton Dark Brown Fabric Westwood Roll

    Westwood

    Italian lightweight brushed cotton shirting and suiting fabric in a beautiful brown.

    €21,90 per metre
  • Made in Italy Buckthorn Italian 100% Brushed Cotton Twill Grey Fabric Buckthorn Roll

    Buckthorn

    Italian brushed cotton twill fabric in dark grey with a soft tailored finish.

    €21,90 per metre
  • Pretty Polly - Safari Friends Pretty Polly Safari Friends Polyester Cotton White Giraffe Elephant Animal Print Dress Fabric Roll

    Pretty Polly - Safari Friends

    112cm wide, lightweight 90% polyester, 10% cotton fabric with a safari animal print on white.

    €5,90 per metre
  • + More colours Sackcloth And Ashes - Navy Sackcloth And Ashes Navy Wool Lightweight Suiting Fabric Mannequin

    Sackcloth And Ashes - Navy

    Our 158cm wide, lightweight navy wool suiting fabric is excellent for dressmaking, skirts, blouses, and shawls!

    (1)
    €21,90 per metre
  • Pretty Polly - Wild Posy Pretty Polly Wild Posy Polyester Cotton Navy Floral Dress Fabric Fold

    Pretty Polly - Wild Posy

    112cm wide, lightweight 90% polyester, 10% cotton fabric with a colourful floral print on navy.

    €5,90 per metre
  • Pretty Polly - Happy Hearts Pretty Polly Happy Hearts Polyester Cotton White Multicoloured Dress Fabric Fold

    Pretty Polly - Happy Hearts

    112cm wide, 90% polyester, 10% cotton fabric with a colourful heart print on white.

    €5,90 per metre
  • Made in Italy Mind Boggling Mind Boggling Linen Cotton Blend Woven Abstract Purple Blue Yellow Print Dress Fabric Fold

    Mind Boggling

    127cm wide, Italian linen & cotton blend lightweight dress fabric with an abstract pattern.

    (1)
    €25,90 per metre
  • Pretty Polly - Palm Party Pretty Polly Palm Party Polyester Cotton Cream Floral Dress Fabric Roll

    Pretty Polly - Palm Party

    112cm wide, 90% polyester, 10% cotton fabric with a tropical palm and flower print on cream.

    €5,90 per metre
  • Pretty Polly - Bloomburst Pretty Polly Bloomburst Polyester Cotton Pink Multicoloured Floral Dress Fabric Fold

    Pretty Polly - Bloomburst

    112cm wide, lightweight 90% polyester, 10% cotton fabric with a bright & colourful floral print.

    €5,90 per metre
  • Made in Italy Fabrica - Navy Superfine Cotton Viscose Suiting Fabroc Fabrica Navy Fold

    Fabrica - Navy

    Italian viscose cotton suiting fabric in deep navy with a fluid hopsack weave.

    €15,90 per metre
  • All Purpose

    All Purpose

    150cm wide white open weave cotton fabric with a smooth finish for embroidery and crafts.

    €11,90 per metre
  • + More colours 100% Wool Fleece - Navy

    100% Wool Fleece - Navy

    Classic navy Australian virgin wool fleece, 143cm wide and made from 100% wool.

    €29,90 per metre
  • + More colours 100% Wool Fleece - Black

    100% Wool Fleece - Black

    Classic black Australian virgin wool fleece, 143cm wide and made from 100% wool.

    €29,90 per metre
  • Norma Viscose Acetate Dress Lining Fabric Maroon Norma

    Norma

    150cm wide, maroon and black viscose acetate blend lining with a sleek drape; perfect for adding a smooth, stylish finish to any garment.

    €7,90 per metre
  • Monarch of the Glenn Wool Suiting Fabric Grey Check Monarch Of The Glenn
    Sold out

    Monarch of the Glenn

    Luxurious 150cm-wide wool suiting with a subtle Prince of Wales check; perfect for timeless suits and tailored garments.

    €21,90 per metre
  • + More colours Poplin Print - Bee Hive - White Poplin Prints Bee Hive White Swirl

    Poplin Print - Bee Hive - White

    112cm wide, printed cotton poplin fabric with a cute bee hive print against a white ground.

    €9,90 per metre
  • + More colours Pima Cotton Lawn - Morris - Navy & Mint Pima Cotton Lawn Morris Mint Cotton Dress Fabric Fold

    Pima Cotton Lawn - Morris - Navy & Mint

    140cm wide, Pima cotton lawn with a William Morris-inspired floral print in mint, yellow & navy.

    (2)
    €15,90 per metre
  • + More colours 100% Wool Fleece - Sky Blue

    100% Wool Fleece - Sky Blue

    Soft 143cm wide Australian virgin wool fleece in sky blue, 100% wool and ethically sourced.

    €29,90 per metre
  • + More colours 100% Wool Fleece - Forest Green

    100% Wool Fleece - Forest Green

    Forest green Australian virgin wool fleece, 143cm wide and made from 100% wool.

    €29,90 per metre
  • Made in Italy+ More colours Silks of Italy - The Big O Silks Of Italy The Big O Orange Abstract Paisley Print Dress Fabric Roll

    Silks of Italy - The Big O

    142cm wide, Italian 100% silk twill fabric in bright orange with a vibrant paisley floral print.

    €39,90 per metre
  • Made in Italy Cocktail Cocktail Cotton White Fruit Print Shirting Fabric

    Cocktail

    150cm wide, fine white cotton shirting fabric with a colourful fruit print. Woven in Italy!

    €19,90 per metre
  • A Fine Tat

    A Fine Tat

    A real bargain, this is a 150cm wide finely woven, polyester tattersall-like check shirting fabric that comes in blue, white and yellow.

    (1)
    €7,90 per metre
  • + More colours Linen Mix - Black

    Linen Mix - Black

    Stretch, viscose linen mix suiting fabric in black. Nice and soft this is a good fabric for tops and shorts. Paper bag style as this will fall beautifully.

    (3)
    €11,90 per metre
  • + More colours Organic Jersey - Pink Cotton Jersey Raspberry Cotton Knitted Dress T Shirt Garment Fabric Close Up Fabric Photo D1Be2A77 Cef3 4Bd9 A240 D0265E460116

    Organic Jersey - Pink

    Hot pink organic cotton jersey fabric with a soft breathable knit finish 150cm wide.

    €9,90 per metre
  • + More colours Luxury Ponte - Off White Luxury Ponte Off White Jersey Fabric Bolt

    Luxury Ponte - Off White

    High quality double-knit jersey fabric made from a viscose blend. Ponte Roma dressmaking fabric with a off white hue.

    €15,90 per metre

Choosing the right dress fabric

The right fabric depends on the garment you're making, the season, and how the finished piece should move. Lightweight fabrics like cotton lawn, voile and silk work well for summer dresses and floaty blouses. Mid-weight cottons, linen and viscose are reliable all-season choices for structured and relaxed styles alike. For tailored pieces and occasionwear, crepe, satin and wool suiting give the finish and body that lighter fabrics can't.

If you're working from a pattern, check the recommended fabric type and weight first. Most patterns list suitable fibres, and using the right weight makes fitting and construction much easier. When buying online, ordering a sample is always worthwhile - colour and handle can differ from what you see on screen.

At Croft Mill, much of our dress fabric range is ex-designer or mill-end stock sourced directly from textile mills in the UK, Italy and across Europe. That means quality that's difficult to find on the high street, often at a fraction of the original price.

What's the most popular fabric for making dresses?

Cotton and viscose are the most widely used dress fabrics for everyday makes. Cotton is easy to sew, available in a huge range of prints and weights, and comfortable to wear year-round. Viscose drapes beautifully and suits wrap dresses, shirt dresses and anything that needs movement. For special occasions, silk and satin are the go-to choices.

How much dress fabric do I need?

For a simple shift or tea dress, 2–2.5 metres is usually sufficient up to a size 16. Dresses with full skirts, pleats or long sleeves will need more - typically 3–4 metres. Always check your pattern's fabric requirements before buying, and allow a little extra for pattern matching or nap direction.

Can I buy dress fabric by the metre at Croft Mill?

Yes, all our dress fabrics are sold by the metre. You can buy as little as half a metre on most lines, with fabric cut in one continuous length. If you need a larger quantity or have a specific project in mind, contact us and we'll do our best to help.

What's the difference between woven and knit dress fabrics?

Woven fabrics - cotton, linen, silk, crepe - don't stretch along the grain and are best used with standard dressmaking patterns. Knit fabrics - jersey, viscose jersey, ponte - have natural stretch and are designed for patterns that call for stretch fabric specifically. Using the wrong type will affect fit and how the garment behaves.

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