Collection: Crepe Fabric

Welcome to our collection of beautiful, drapey crepe fabric! At Fabrics Galore we have a high quality collection of crepe fabric for you to choose from. The attributes of crepe fabric can satisfy the most selective of sewing projects. The textured surface is versatile as it doesn’t crease and can be heavy enough to wear all year round. Ranging in colours and prints, you’ll find a suitable style for your next project.

 

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What kind of fabric is Crepe?

You can tell a crepe fabric apart from other fabrics thanks to its characteristic textured appearance and the body of the drape. In most cases, crepe fabrics are lightweight, making them the perfect choice for creating stylish garments such as dresses and tops.

Origins of crepe fabric

The word crepe is French for a small thin pancake which features the textured appearance which makes crepe fabric so distinctive. Previously used as a fabric for mourning garments in days gone by, crepe is now a classic dressmaking fabric as it has a lovely natural drape, ideal for a more figure-hugging look.  

 

What are the different types and weights of crepe?

The term crepe fabric coves a multitude of fabrics ranging from a widely-known crepe de chine which is a very light-weight version commonly made of silk to a Crepe Back Satin, with one side which is very smooth and shiny and the reverse is matt. 

A triple crepe is a heavier type of crepe with all the same features as any other crepe such as the texture and the drape. Triple crepe is perfect for making dresses, skirts and trousers for Autumn and Winter. 

Double weight crepes are a medium weight version better suited to tops, blouses and skirts ideal for warmer weather.

How is crepe fabric made?

Crepe fabrics have been woven in a certain way whereby the yarn is tightly twisted to create a rippling rough texture. It can be made from natural fibres like cotton or silk, or from synthetic fibres like polyester or rayon. 

What is crepe fabric used for?

Crepe is most often used for dressmaking as it has excellent drape and swish, It  is perfect for occasion and evening wear such as a wrap dress.

But what makes crepe even better for the wearer is that it doesn’t really need ironing, making it perfect if you are moving around and don’t want to sit down one minute looking smart, and then stand again only to look crumpled. 

Our crepe fabric is perfect for creating flowing evening wear, stunning dresses, and soft blouses. 

Is crepe fabric stretchy? 

It usually has quite a lot of give and can be quite stretchy depending on the composition of the individual crepe. Crepe Georgette is often considered one of the stretchier types of crepe.

Benefits of crepe

Crepe dress fabric needs very little ironing, making it perfect if you are moving around and sitting down. With good drape, it is slimming. Even better it is a soft and comfortable fabric to wear even though it is brilliant for formal wear. Our crepe fabric can be used for a variety of sewing projects, making it a versatile addition to any fabric collection.

How to wash crepe and does it shrink?

You should wash fabric according to the fabric composition. A wool or silk crepe is going to be more sensitive to higher temperatures than a polyester crepe. 

Most of our crepe fabrics at Fabrics Galore are 100% viscose or polyester like our triple crepes, so can be washed at 30 degrees on a normal wash cycle. 

Is crepe fabric good for summer?

Yes! Using crepe fabrics for dressmaking projects can certainly enhance your summer wardrobe. Not only is crepe lightweight, soft and comfortable, but it also provides a slimming effect with an elegant fall, making the fabric ideal for creating summer dresses to be worn at parties or formal events. It is probably too warm for really hot summer weather. 

 

Make beautiful clothes with our Crepe fabrics

Our crepe dress fabrics are ideal for making clothes, as the flowy drape material works well for dressmaking.  We offer crepe fabric in a range of designs, from bold and contemporary to classic and elegant. If you need a specific colour or print, use our filters to narrow down your search and save time.
Here at Fabrics Galore, we want to make the search for your perfect crepe fabric as easy as possible. We're always updating our crepe fabric collection, so be sure to check back regularly to find new and inspiring designs. Choose Fabrics Galore for all your crepe fabric needs, and let your creativity run wild!

 

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Give one of our team a call on 020 7738 9589 and we will help you find your fabric.

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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

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