Collection: Bamboo Fabric

Bamboo fabric is a lovely soft alternative to cotton fabric and is easy to sew with. Viewed as a sustainable fabric as it is quick and easy to grow, bamboo fabric is taking the fashion world by storm as it is used to make anything from a bamboo bag to a bamboo jersey sweatshirt. 

Our bamboo jersey range is a single jersey weight and perfect for a t-shirt, top or sweatshirt.

 

How is Bamboo Fabric Made?

 

There are a couple of different ways that bamboo fabric can be made. The most sustainable way is for the bamboo plant to be crushed and broken down into natural fibres, which are then mechanically spun into yarn. However, this is very time-consuming and labour-intensive, resulting in the final fabric being more expensive.

 

More commonly, bamboo is made into a piece of fabric in a similar way to viscose, which is another popular alternative to cotton and polyester. The bamboo plant is dissolved in a chemical solution to enable it to be spun into fibres. These fibres can then be made into threads and over the years, this chemical process has been adapted to make it safer for both the environment and the workers in the textile industry.

 

Is Bamboo a Sustainable Fabric?

 

From a sustainability point of view, bamboo fabric is a great option to explore. The bamboo plant is fast-growing and self-replenishing, making it a sustainable alternative to other plants that are used to make fabric nowadays.

Bamboo consumes more CO2 than other trees, which can have a positive impact on the environment. It also requires less water to grow than cotton. Depending on the way bamboo fabric is manufactured, it can even be 100% biodegradable and this makes it a very popular option. 

 

At Fabrics Galore, we are always searching for more responsibly grown fabrics for our customers and we will update our online store whenever we have new sustainable bamboo fabrics, so keep your eyes peeled.

 

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Bamboo Fabric

 

Bamboo fabric has many similarities to cotton and it’s becoming increasingly popular. This type of fabric is breathable and durable, and it’s a great choice for a range of textile projects. It’s common for bamboo fabrics to be used to create base layers for the winter months because they’re so lightweight, yet they can be a great choice for summer clothing too.

 

One of the biggest benefits of bamboo fabric is how comfortable it is. Many will use this fabric to make underwear, nightwear and loungewear, and it’s incredibly soft on the skin as well as regulating temperature. You can use bamboo fabric if you have sensitive skin without worrying about it causing irritation. What’s more, this type of fabric is also hypoallergenic and it's a great choice if you suffer from allergies. If you take good care of bamboo fabric, it can last for many years to come.

 

Like all fabrics, bamboo does have its downsides and if you don’t wash this fabric on a delicate wash, there is a chance it will shrink. To prevent any damage to bamboo fabric whilst washing, it’s important to follow the care instructions on the label and this will help you to prolong the life of your bamboo garments. Commonly, bamboo can be more expensive than materials like cotton and you may find your projects cost more when you use this fabric.

 

It’s important to be aware that whilst bamboo itself is a sustainable plant, and is naturally pest-resistant so doesn't need pesticides, the manufacturing process of bamboo fabric isn’t always environmentally friendly. You need to be careful when purchasing bamboo fabric with a chemically intensive manufacturing process and it’s worth double-checking how the fabric is made before you place an order. At Fabrics Galore, we try where possible to source fabrics with the least environmental impact on the planet.

Read More

One stop fabric shop

Welcome to the Fabrics Galore London online store, packed full of beautiful fabrics to inspire your next dressmaking, patchwork quilting, craft or home furnishing sewing project. We stock a huge range of different materials alongside designer fabrics from Liberty, Cath Kidston, Orla Kiely, Laura Ashley, William Morris and Alexander Henry. We source the highest quality fabrics, so whether it be a cotton, linen, viscose, chambray, jersey or wool, we have you covered.Check out our dressmaking fabric for something with drape, fabulous Liberty cotton lawn prints, quilting fabrics for patchwork inspiration or the home furnishing section to pimp your pad. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get sewing!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you sell by the metre?

We sell by the half metre on our website (the price is therefore displayed by the half metre) to allow our customers more flexibility. If you wish to buy a metre, you need to buy two units, but don’t worry, it will always be cut in one continuous length. 

Can I pay for next day delivery?

We can send your fabric by courier which should arrive the next day, for the additional cost of £12. The simplest way to do this is by sending us an email  howdy@fabricsgalore.co.uk or by calling the shop on 0207 738 9589. We would need to know before 1pm, and we are unable to organise a Saturday delivery. 

Can I buy your fabrics if I live outside the UK?

Yes, we ship to Europe. For all the details, see our Shipping Page.  

Do you send out samples?

We do, our samples are 10 cm by the width of the fabric (usually 112cm or 137cm) and cost 10% of the fabric’s metre price plus £1.50 for postage. Simply go to our Request a Swatch page.

Is there an actual shop I can visit?

Yes, we have a shop in South London. All the fabrics, which are available online (and more) are in the shop alongside a small haberdashery and pattern range. 

The address is 52-54 Lavender Hill, Battersea, London, SW11 5RH.

Is it possible to get a wholesale price?

We are a fabric retailer rather than a wholesaler so the short answer is no, but if you are looking for a large quantity of fabric, it is best to email us on  howdy@fabricsgalore.co.uk to see if we can help you out.

What does OEKO-TEX 100 mean?

OEKO-TEX 100 means the fabric has been tested for 100 harmful substances. The testing and certification process extends far beyond existing legal requirements, testing not only for substances already banned, but also for chemicals known to be unsafe, but not yet controlled by legislation. Fabrics which meet OEKO-TEX 100 are great for children’s clothing or underwear. 

How quickly will I get my order?

All our orders are sent out by Royal Mail First Class so should be with you within a few days of fulfilment and often within 1-2 days. We send fabric out on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday. During busy periods such as sales, deliveries may take slightly longer, and we are always grateful for your patience.

Where do your fabrics come from?

We stock British fabrics as well as fabrics from suppliers all over the world - including Germany, Italy, Taiwan and India. 

Will you be at any shows this year?

In recent years we have cut back on the number of shows we attend but we do still go to several. For the full list have a look on our Events Page.   

Can I order a specific fabric from a supplier which you stock but isn’t on your website?

We select our fabrics from various ranges to create the interesting collections we offer and it’s rare that we buy the whole range. If you have a specific fabric you are looking for, it’s best to email us to find out if we can help you. Our email address is howdy@fabricsgalore.co.uk

When will out of stock fabrics be available again?

When we sell out of a popular fabric such as our cream bouclé, we will try very hard to get it back in quickly. As soon as it arrives, it will go straight back on our website, and we will notify our customers via social media or our weekly newsletter. If you wanted to sign up so you never miss a thing, subscribe on our simple sign up form

Do you offer gift cards?

Yes, we do have a few different types: you can buy a voucher for Free Postage for a Whole Year gift card. Or you can buy vouchers for £10, £25, £50 or £100 which will be emailed over to you immediately, in case it’s a last-minute gift. See our gift voucher page.

What does GSM mean?

GSM stands for grams per square metre; the higher the number, the thicker and heavier the fabric will be. For example, a denim or a sweatshirt fabric will have a much higher GSM than a satin. 

What our customers say

Fast Delivery
Great Quality
Outstanding Customer Service
Fast Delivery
Great Quality
Outstanding Customer Service

@fabricsgalorelondon

Join Our Gang on Social

We can't wait to help you bring your creative dreams to life! But if you’re looking for inspiration, join our gang on social media and check out what some of our fabric followers are making.