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Italian Tencel Twill Navy Soft Lightweight Woven Shirting Fabric Fold

Tencel™ & Lyocell Fabric

Tencel™ and lyocell fabrics are prized for their softness, fluid drape and breathable comfort. Made from wood pulp sourced from responsibly managed forests, these fibres belong to the regenerated cellulose family and are often chosen by dressmakers looking for fabrics that combine the comfort of natural fibres with a smooth, modern finish.

Our Tencel™ and lyocell fabric collection includes dressmaking fabrics suitable for shirts, blouses, dresses, skirts, jumpsuits and relaxed tailoring. The fabric's beautiful drape allows garments to move naturally, while its smooth surface and comfortable feel make it a popular choice for everyday wear.

Tencel™ is a branded lyocell fibre produced by Lenzing, while lyocell is the generic fibre name. Both offer similar qualities, including softness, breathability and excellent moisture management. You'll find pure lyocell fabrics alongside blends with cotton, linen and other fibres, each offering slightly different characteristics and finishes.

If you're looking for fabrics made entirely from lyocell fibres, select Yes under 100% yarn content and choose Lyocell in the Yarn filter.

Tencel™, lyocell and viscose fabrics compared

Tencel™, lyocell and viscose are all regenerated cellulose fibres made from wood pulp, and they share many of the qualities dressmakers look for in a fabric. All three are known for their softness, breathability and fluid drape, making them popular choices for dresses, blouses, shirts, skirts and relaxed trousers.

The differences are often subtle. Standard viscose is typically very soft and fluid, creating garments with plenty of movement. Lyocell and Tencel™ fabrics tend to have a slightly smoother surface and can feel a little more stable during sewing, while still offering the drape and comfort that make these fibres so popular.

Because of their beautiful drape, these fabrics are particularly well suited to garments with gathers, pleats and flowing silhouettes. They can also be blended with fibres such as cotton, linen or elastane to create fabrics with different textures, weights and characteristics.

Whether you choose viscose, lyocell or Tencel™, you'll find fabrics that are comfortable to wear, soft against the skin and suitable for a wide variety of dressmaking projects throughout the year.

What is the difference between Tencel™ and lyocell?

Lyocell is the fibre type, while Tencel™ is a branded lyocell fibre produced by Lenzing. In practical terms, they share the same key qualities, including softness, breathability and beautiful drape. You may see fabrics described as either lyocell or Tencel, depending on how the manufacturer chooses to identify the fibre.

How does Tencel™ fabric feel?

Tencel and lyocell fabrics are known for their exceptionally smooth handle and fluid drape. They feel soft against the skin, drape beautifully and are comfortable to wear throughout the year. Many dressmakers choose them when they want the movement of viscose with a slightly smoother and more refined finish.

Is Tencel suitable for dressmaking?

Absolutely. Tencel™ and lyocell are popular dressmaking fabrics for dresses, shirts, blouses, skirts, jumpsuits and relaxed tailoring. Their drape makes them particularly well suited to garments with gathers, pleats and flowing silhouettes.

Is Tencel™ fabric easy to sew?

Tencel is generally straightforward to sew, although lighter-weight qualities can move around a little more than fabrics such as cotton poplin. Taking care during cutting and pressing will help achieve the best results. The finished garments are often worth the extra attention thanks to the fabric's drape and comfort.