What is French terry fabric?

French terry is a knitted fabric with a smooth front and a looped back. The loops on the inside give the fabric volume, softness and a comfortable feel without making it as warm or bulky as brushed sweat fabric. Because it is knitted, French terry usually has natural flexibility and moves well with the body.

French terry is often used for relaxed garments that need comfort, structure and moderate warmth. It works well for sweaters, hoodies, jogging trousers, dresses and children’s clothing.

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Specifications

Construction Knit fabric, loops on the inside and smooth on the outside
Composition 80–100% cotton, often blended with 20% polyester or 5% elastane
Fabric weight Within the Nooteboom Textiles range, we mainly see French Terry between 200-280 g/m²
Stretch Moderate widthwise stretch, 20–40%; more with elastane
Abbreviations CO = cotton, PES = polyester, EL = elastane
Appearance Casual, soft hand feel, slightly draped fall

What are the properties of French Terry?

French Terry is made as a knitted loopback construction, with a relatively smooth face and visible loops on the reverse. The loops create extra volume and hold some insulating air while keeping the fabric less bulky than strongly brushed fleece. Cotton provides softness and moisture absorption, while elastane can improve stretch and recovery. Some French Terry qualities are brushed on the reverse, producing a softer and warmer surface than classic loopback French Terry.

How does French Terry feel?

French Terry usually feels soft, flexible and moderately substantial without being excessively thick. The outer side is relatively smooth, while the looped reverse gives the fabric a more tactile and cushioned feel.

Brushed French Terry feels softer and warmer on the inside because the loops are raised during finishing. Cotton-rich qualities generally have a natural, comfortable hand feel, while elastane adds a more elastic response.

Applications

Sweatshirts: French Terry provides the softness, flexibility and body needed for comfortable sweatshirts and casual tops.
Hoodies: the looped construction makes French Terry suitable for hoodies that require moderate warmth without excessive bulk.
Trousers: French Terry is suitable for jogging trousers, relaxed-fit trousers and comfortable casual bottoms.
Children's Clothing: its soft knitted structure makes suitable qualities appropriate for children's sweatshirts, trousers and casual outfits.
Baby Clothing: soft cotton-rich qualities can be used for baby trousers, sweaters and comfortable sets when the fabric meets the relevant safety requirements.
Dresses: French Terry works well for casual sweater dresses and relaxed styles that benefit from additional body.
Skirts: its knitted construction provides comfort and flexibility for casual skirts.
Pyjamas: softer qualities are suitable for comfortable nightwear and loungewear, particularly during cooler seasons.
Tracksuits and Loungewear: the combination of stretch, softness and shape retention makes French Terry suitable for matching casual sets and relaxed sports-inspired clothing.
Hoodies and sweaters
Jogging bottoms and tracksuits
Children’s sweaters and rompers
Casual dresses and skirts
Sportswear, if it contains elastane

Wash Instructions

Washing Temperature: wash French Terry at 30 to 40°C, depending on the fibre composition, print and care instructions of the specific fabric.
Drying Advice: air drying is recommended to reduce the risk of shrinkage and unnecessary heat exposure, particularly for qualities containing elastane.
Ironing Instructions: use a low to medium temperature suitable for the fibre composition and iron from the reverse side when necessary.
Dry Cleaning: only when permitted by the care label of the specific fabric quality.
Special Considerations: wash garments inside out to reduce surface friction and avoid excessive stretching or twisting while wet.

Other Information

Certifications: selected French Terry qualities within the Nooteboom Textiles assortment are certified according to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Product Class I.
Sustainability Aspects: the environmental impact depends on the fibre composition, cotton cultivation, production processes and durability of the finished fabric.
Shrinkage and Prewashing: prewashing is recommended, particularly for cotton-rich qualities, to assess possible shrinkage and dimensional changes before production.
Width: selected French Terry qualities from Nooteboom Textiles have fabric widths of approximately 150 to 155 cm, although widths may vary between articles.
Surface: French Terry generally has a smooth outer surface and a looped reverse side, while brushed variations have a softer, raised interior.
Colours and Designs: the assortment includes plain colours, melange effects and printed designs, including digitally printed patterns.
Seasonal Suitability: particularly suitable for spring, autumn and transitional collections, while lighter qualities can also be used for year-round casual clothing.

What is the difference between French Terry and Sweatshirt Fleece?

French Terry and sweatshirt fleece are both commonly used for comfortable casualwear, but their reverse-side construction differs. French Terry has visible loops on the inside, while brushed sweatshirt fleece has a raised, fluffy surface created through a brushing process. The brushed surface traps more air and generally provides greater insulation, making fleece more suitable for colder conditions. French Terry is often preferred for transitional clothing because it provides moderate warmth with less bulk.

What is the difference between French Terry and Single Jersey?

French Terry and Single Jersey are both knitted fabrics, but they differ in thickness, construction and intended use. Single Jersey generally has a lighter structure with a smooth front and a visibly knitted reverse side, while French Terry includes additional looped yarns that create more volume and body. This makes French Terry better suited to sweatshirts, jogging trousers and casual garments that require more structure. Single Jersey is commonly used for lighter T-shirts, tops and garments with a softer, more fluid drape.

Read more about lighter knitted fabrics in our Cotton Jersey Fabric Guide.

What is the difference between French Terry and Interlock?

French Terry and Interlock are both knitted fabrics, but their constructions create different surface characteristics. Interlock is a double-knit structure with two relatively smooth sides, while French Terry has a smooth outer surface and distinctive loops on the reverse. Interlock generally offers a compact, balanced structure, whereas French Terry provides additional volume through its looped construction. Both can be used for comfortable clothing, but French Terry is particularly associated with sweatshirts and casualwear.

Practical Tip

Use French Terry with elastane, such as 95% CO / 5% EL, for sporty, well-fitting garments. Pure cotton French Terry is ideal for loose-fitting, comfortable hoodies.

FAQ

Does French Terry shrink after washing?

Cotton-rich French Terry may shrink after washing, particularly when the fabric has not been pre-shrunk during manufacturing. The amount of shrinkage depends on the fibre composition, knitted construction and finishing treatment. Washing and measuring a fabric sample before cutting helps identify possible dimensional changes.

Is French Terry suitable for sensitive skin?

Cotton-rich French Terry can be suitable for sensitive skin because of its soft knitted construction and natural fibre content. However, skin comfort also depends on the dyes, finishing treatments and individual sensitivities. For baby clothing or garments worn directly against the skin, check the certification and finishing specifications of the selected quality.

Does French Terry pill over time?

French Terry can develop pilling after repeated wear or washing, particularly in areas exposed to frequent friction. The likelihood of pilling depends on fibre composition, yarn quality, fabric construction and finishing. Washing garments inside out and avoiding excessive abrasion can help reduce surface pilling.

Can French Terry be used for fitted garments?

French Terry can be suitable for fitted garments when the fabric provides sufficient stretch and recovery. Qualities containing elastane generally offer better shape recovery than comparable fabrics without elastane. Before producing fitted clothing, test the fabric's stretch, recovery and behaviour at the seams.

Which side of French Terry should face outwards when sewing?

Traditionally, the smooth side of French Terry is used as the outer surface, while the looped side faces the body. However, the looped side can also be used as a visible design feature in selected garments. When using the reverse side externally, check how the loops respond to abrasion and repeated wear.

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Written by

Dave Van der Steen Nooteboom Textiles

Posted on

13/05/2026 Last updated on 15/10/2026

What is French terry fabric?

Specifications

What are the properties of French Terry?

How does French Terry feel?

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