French Terry Isn’t Just for Hoodies: Meet Our Summer-Weight Range

If you've ever bought French Terry for a hoodie and then let the rest of the bolt sit in your stash, you're not alone. It's the fabric most of us reach for the second the weather turns. It’s cosy, easy to sew, and forgiving for beginners. But French Terry has a lot more range than "sweatshirt fabric," especially now that summer-weight versions in new colours are around, and honestly, it deserves a second look.

In this article, we're covering what French Terry actually is (and how it's different from fleece, since the two get mixed up constantly), what makes a summer-weight French Terry different from your classic hoodie-weight version, a handful of projects beyond the hoodie that show off what this fabric can really do, and a few finishing details, like drawcords, that make a French Terry project feel finished rather than homemade. We'll also touch on our new Fabric + Flow summer French Terry colours, so keep reading.

This one's for beginner and intermediate sewists who've worked with French Terry before or who are curious to try it and want more reasons to pull it off the shelf beyond "it's hoodie season”.

What Is French Terry Fabric?

French Terry is a knit fabric, meaning it stretches, unlike woven fabrics such as quilting cotton, with a smooth, flat side and a looped, uncut side. That looped back is the giveaway. It's also the reason people confuse it with fleece, but the two aren't the same thing: fleece has a brushed, napped surface (that fuzzy, fluffy texture), while French Terry's back stays in its original loop form, unbrushed. That structural difference is what gives French Terry its slightly firmer, more structured drape compared to the softer slouch of fleece.

Because it's a knit, French Terry has some built-in stretch, which affects pattern choice; patterns drafted for wovens won't fit the same way in French Terry, so it's worth checking a pattern's suggested fabric type before cutting in.

What Is Summer-Weight French Terry and How Is It Different from Regular French Terry?

Traditional French Terry is usually mid-to-heavyweight, which is part of why it feels so right for hoodies, joggers, sweatshirts, and anything you want to feel cosy in.

Summer-weight French Terry has the same familiar loop-back texture on the inside, but it’s knitted in a lighter weight. You’ll often see fabric weight described as GSM, which stands for grams per square metre. It’s simply a way of measuring how heavy or light a fabric is, and it can be really helpful when you’re comparing fabrics online.

Because summer-weight French Terry has a lower GSM than standard French Terry, it feels softer, lighter, and more breathable. It also has a more relaxed drape, so it moves with you rather than feeling bulky.

Think of it as the difference between a fabric made for warmth and a fabric made for everyday movement. Same lovely French Terry family, just with a lighter touch.

Beyond the Hoodie: What Else You Can Sew From French Terry

Once you're working with a lighter-weight French Terry, a whole wardrobe opens up, not just hoodies:

• T-shirts and tees: the lighter GSM gives structure without the cling of a thin jersey tee.

• Cami tops: French Terry's smooth face gives a cami a bit more body than a slippery jersey would.

• Cardigans and open-front layers: the drape makes for a relaxed layering piece without the bulk of fleece.

• Joggers and lounge pants: the classic French Terry make, and summer-weight keeps them from feeling too warm for the season.

• Shorts: an easy, breathable option for warmer months, especially in the lighter summer-weight version.

• T-shirt dresses and midi dresses: the stretch and structure hold their shape without clinging.

• Skirts: French Terry's stability (it has less stretch than a typical jersey) makes it easier to keep a clean skirt shape.

• Playsuits and rompers: a fun one-and-done project, and just as suited to adults as to kids.

• Leggings: a reliable go-to, particularly in blends with added spandex for better recovery.

• Loungewear sets (matching top and bottoms): a natural next step once you've made a few individual French Terry pieces.

• Kids' clothing: rompers, playsuits, and leggings, durable enough for playground days, soft enough for comfort.

Each project uses French Terry in a slightly different way: the dress makes the most of its soft drape, the leggings rely on its stretch, and the skirt benefits from its stability. That’s really the point. French Terry can do more than we often give it credit for; it just gets typecast as “hoodie fabric.”

Looking for a project outside of clothing? French Terry also sews up nicely into accessories like tote bags, zip pouches, beanies, ear warmers, and infinity scarves, a good way to use up smaller cuts or scraps left over from bigger projects.

Fabric + Flow French Terry: 2026 New Colours

Now for the fun part: our 2026 Bamboo French Terry lineup is here, and it's a proper summer palette. It’s a 67% bamboo, 28% cotton, 5% spandex blend at 230 GSM with 4-way stretch, so it's soft, breathable, and holds its shape while still moving with you. It's Oeko-Tex certified too, which just means it's been tested for harmful substances, so it's a nice one to sew for kids' clothing as well as your own. 

Here's the new range, along with a project idea for each:

• Watermelon — a juicy pink-red that's perfect for a cami top or a kids' playsuit.

• Caribbean — a bold blue-green built for joggers or a pair of breathable summer shorts.

• Coral — warm and punchy, lovely in a t-shirt dress.

• Clover — a fresh green that works beautifully as a cardigan or open-front layer.

• Sapphire — a rich, deep blue, ideal for a matching loungewear set.

• Azure — a lighter sky blue that suits leggings especially well.

• Cranberry — a deep, warm red that gives a skirt real presence.

• Berry — a soft pink, great for a kids' romper or playsuit.

• Sage — a muted green that makes a lovely cami top or relaxed midi dress.

• Burnt Sienna — a rust-toned neutral, right at home in shorts or joggers.

• Hot Pink — bold and bright, made for a statement playsuit.

• Teal — a classic, versatile colour that works well as a simple, everyday tee.

Tips for Sewing with French Terry

Here are a few things that make French Terry easier to work with, whether you're using the summer-weight version or the classic:

• Use the right needle. Because French Terry is a knit, a regular universal needle can snag or skip stitches. We go into this in detail in our Sewing Machine Needle Guide: Why It Matters. But the short version for French Terry is: reach for a stretch or ballpoint needle, not a sharp one, so it slides between the fabric's fibres instead of piercing them.

• Finish your seams. The looped back can shed a little at raw edges, so a serger or a narrow zigzag stitch helps keep things tidy over time. For more help choosing the right stitch and finish for stretch fabrics, read our guide to sewing activewear fabrics. 

• Don't stretch it while cutting. This is a very common mistake. French Terry can pull out of shape on the cutting table if it's not laid flat and left to relax first, which leads to wonky, uneven pieces once you start sewing. Give it a few minutes to settle before you cut.

• Mind your pins. French Terry's looped back can snag with regular pins, which is one of the reasons a lot of sewists reach for clips instead when working with it. We break down the full case for each in Pins vs. Clips: Which Should You Use for Sewing? if you want a deeper dive. But for French Terry specifically, fabric clips tend to hold the layers together without leaving pin marks or pulling the loops.

Finishing Touches That Make It Feel Intentional

Small details are what separate a "homemade" project from a "handmade" one, and drawcords are a great example. A drawcord is simply the cord or tie threaded through a casing for a waistband, a hoodie hood, or even a bag opening that lets you cinch and adjust the fit. They come in a few common forms: flat cord, rounded cord, or self-fabric ties made from your project's own material.

The drawcord you choose changes the whole feel of a finished piece. A flat cord in a contrast colour gives joggers a more athletic, sporty look, while a self-fabric tie keeps things soft and tonal, a nice choice for a cardigan or a kids' garment where you don't want a stiff cord digging in. It's a small decision, but it's often the first thing people notice on a finished garment.

FAQ

What’s the difference between French Terry and fleece?

French Terry has a smooth face and a looped, unbrushed back, which gives it a slightly firmer drape. Fleece is brushed to create that soft, fuzzy texture, so it usually feels warmer, fluffier, and more slouchy.

Can you use French Terry for anything besides hoodies?

Yes. French Terry is great for joggers, sweatshirts, cardigans, relaxed dresses, skirts, kids’ clothing, and easy layering pieces. A lighter summer-weight French Terry gives you even more options because it feels softer, cooler, and less bulky.

What is summer-weight French Terry?

Summer-weight French Terry is a lighter version of regular French Terry. It has the same smooth face and looped back, but it’s knitted at a lower GSM, which makes it more breathable with a softer, more relaxed drape.

What needle should I use for French Terry?

Use a stretch or ballpoint needle when sewing French Terry, as it’s a knit fabric. A regular sharp needle can sometimes cause skipped stitches or snag the fibres, so it’s worth testing on a scrap before sewing your main seams.

Does French Terry stretch out over time?

French Terry can relax slightly with wear, especially if it has a loose knit or very little recovery. To help your finished garment keep its shape, pre-wash your fabric, choose the right size, avoid over-stretching seams as you sew, and follow the care instructions.

Can I add drawcords to French Terry projects?

Absolutely. Drawcords work beautifully with French Terry joggers, shorts, hoodies, sweatshirts, and casual dresses. They’re practical, but they’re also a lovely way to add contrast, texture, or a little pop of colour to a simple handmade piece.

Your Next French Terry Project

French Terry has always had more to give than a hoodie, and the Fabric + Flow new summer-weight range, in a whole rainbow of fresh 2026 colours, just makes that easier to see. Whether you're drawn to Sage for a soft midi dress or Hot Pink for a playsuit that means business, there's a shade here for whatever's next on your cutting table.

Browse the full French Terry collection to see the new colours in person, and if you're not sure which weight or colourway is right for your pattern, do not hesitate to contact us; we're always happy to help you pick the right fabric before you cut a single piece.