A French terry fabric guide helps brands choose the right weight and finish for hoodies, joggers, and sweatshirts. Specifically, French terry is a looped knit fabric known for its soft, breathable feel. Furthermore, it sits between a t-shirt jersey and a brushed fleece in both weight and warmth.
Last updated: July 2026. Ready One has been manufacturing custom apparel in Sialkot, Pakistan since 2012 — over 14 years of production experience serving 1,000+ brands across 40+ countries. Furthermore, the factory holds ISO 9001, BSCI, SEDEX, GOTS, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, and WRAP certification, operates a 25,000 sq ft facility with 150 skilled workers, and produces 100,000–150,000 units per month. MOQ starts at 50 units with DDP shipping worldwide.
What Is French Terry Fabric?
French terry is a knit fabric constructed with a smooth outer face and looped yarn inside. Specifically, this loop structure is left unbrushed, unlike fleece. Furthermore, this gives French terry a lighter, more breathable feel than brushed fabrics. Consequently, it works well for garments that need warmth without heavy bulk.
How Is French Terry Different From Regular Jersey?
Regular jersey is a single-layer knit without the looped inner structure. Specifically, French terry adds a second looped yarn layer during knitting. Furthermore, this extra layer adds thickness, structure, and a slightly warmer hand feel. Consequently, French terry drapes more like a sweatshirt than a t-shirt.
This structural difference also affects how the fabric holds print and embroidery. Specifically, the smooth outer face of French terry takes screen print cleanly. Moreover, the looped inner face is not typically used as the visible printed surface. In addition, this makes French terry well suited to standard front-and-back decoration.
How Does French Terry Compare to Fleece?
Fleece is brushed on the inner face, raising the fibres for extra insulation. Specifically, this brushing process is what gives fleece its fuzzy, warmer feel. Furthermore, French terry keeps its looped structure unbrushed, staying lighter and more breathable. Consequently, French terry suits milder climates and transitional-season garments better than fleece.
When Should a Brand Choose French Terry Over Fleece?
French terry suits brands targeting a lighter, more breathable hoodie or jogger. Specifically, this includes activewear-adjacent casual pieces and warmer-climate markets. Furthermore, fleece suits brands targeting maximum warmth for colder-climate winter ranges. Consequently, the choice depends on the target climate and the garment’s intended use.
What GSM Weight Range Suits French Terry Garments?
French terry typically ranges from 240 GSM lightweight to 320 GSM heavier options. Specifically, 240–260 GSM suits lightweight joggers and summer sweatshirts. Furthermore, 280–320 GSM suits year-round hoodies with more structure. Consequently, brands should confirm GSM against Ready One’s GSM guide before finalising a spec.
How Does Fabric Composition Affect French Terry Performance?
Cotton French terry offers the softest hand feel but less stretch recovery. Specifically, cotton-poly blends add durability and reduce shrinkage after washing. Furthermore, cotton-elastane blends add stretch, suiting more fitted jogger styles. Consequently, composition choice depends on the brand’s fit and durability priorities.
What Garments Work Best in French Terry?
French terry is commonly used for hoodies, joggers, and crewneck sweatshirts. Specifically, its structured drape suits both fitted and relaxed silhouettes. Furthermore, this fabric fits within Ready One’s custom sweatshirt manufacturer range. Consequently, brands sourcing a full loungewear or streetwear line can use French terry throughout.
Can French Terry Be Combined With Other Fabrics in One Garment?
Yes, French terry can be paired with ribbing, mesh panels, or contrast fabric inserts. Specifically, this suits brands wanting a more design-led sweatshirt or jogger silhouette. Furthermore, panel construction is confirmed during the product development stage. Consequently, brands are not limited to a single-fabric garment if a design calls for more detail.
Does French Terry Suit Both Casual and Athleisure Positioning?
Yes, French terry sits naturally between casual streetwear and light athleisure. Specifically, this overlaps with fabric used in Ready One’s activewear manufacturing. Furthermore, brands can specify a cotton-elastane blend for a more athletic stretch feel. Consequently, one fabric choice can serve both casual and lightly athletic product lines.
What Trims and Finishes Pair Well With French Terry?
Ribbed cuffs and waistbands are the most common trim pairing for French terry garments. Specifically, this reinforces the hem while keeping the overall garment lightweight. Furthermore, drawcords and metal eyelets are commonly added to French terry hoodies. Consequently, these trims complete the casual, everyday styling French terry is known for.
How Does French Terry Handle Shrinkage After Washing?
French terry can shrink slightly after the first wash, particularly in 100% cotton versions. Specifically, this is tested and accounted for in the pattern before bulk cutting. Furthermore, cotton-poly blends typically shrink less than pure cotton French terry. Consequently, brands concerned about shrinkage can request a blended composition instead.
How Does Ready One Source and Test French Terry Fabric?
Ready One sources French terry fabric as part of its standard fabric inspection process. Specifically, every incoming roll is graded for defects and GSM accuracy before cutting. Furthermore, colourfastness and shrinkage are tested during garment testing. Consequently, brands receive French terry garments that hold shape and colour after washing.
Is French Terry Available in Certified Organic Cotton?
Yes, GOTS-certified organic cotton French terry is available on request. Specifically, this fits within Ready One’s broader sustainability practices. Furthermore, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification applies to standard French terry as well. Consequently, brands can choose a certified sustainable option without sourcing separately.
According to industry fabric standards published by ISO, consistent quality management systems support reliable fabric sourcing at scale. Furthermore, this is one reason Ready One maintains ISO 9001 certification across its fabric sourcing and production process.
Can Brands Request a French Terry Fabric Swatch Before Ordering?
Yes, fabric swatches are available before committing to a sample or bulk order. Specifically, this lets brands feel the weight and texture in person before deciding. Furthermore, swatches can be requested across multiple GSM weights for comparison. Consequently, brands make a more informed fabric choice before sampling begins.
Ready to Manufacture With French Terry Fabric?
French terry fabric from 240 to 320 GSM is available for hoodies, joggers, and sweatshirts from 50 units per style.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is French terry fabric?
French terry is a knit fabric with looped yarn on the inside and a smooth face on the outside. Furthermore, this looped inner construction gives it a soft, breathable feel. Consequently, French terry is a popular choice for joggers, hoodies, and casual sweatshirts.
Is French terry warmer than fleece?
No, French terry is generally lighter and less insulating than brushed fleece. Furthermore, French terry suits warmer climates or transitional-weather garments better. Specifically, fleece is brushed on the inside for extra warmth, while French terry stays looped. Consequently, brands choose French terry for lighter layers and fleece for heavier winter pieces.
What GSM range is typical for French terry?
French terry typically ranges from 240 to 320 GSM for apparel use. Furthermore, lighter weights suit t-shirts and summer joggers. Consequently, heavier weights within this range suit hoodies and year-round sweatshirts.
Does Ready One manufacture with French terry fabric?
Yes, Ready One sources French terry fabric for hoodies, joggers, and sweatshirts. Furthermore, this is available from 50 units per style. Specifically, brands can view the full range on the custom sweatshirt manufacturer page. Consequently, brands can order French terry garments alongside other fabric options.