Collection: Seersucker Fabric
Seersucker fabric, also known as railroad stripe is characterised by a puckered surface which is created by weaving groups of threads together to make the crinkled or puckered effect which seersucker fabric is famous for. Discover high quality plain, gingham and check seersucker fabrics in 100% cotton at Fabrics Galore London.
Seersucker fabric is a fantastic summer dressmaking fabric as the crinkled texture keeps it from sticking to the body keeping you cool in the warmer weather. It feels really light and airy to wear and looks good as a dress, blouse or even a pair of summer trousers. Seersucker cotton fabric is especially good for babies and toddlers as it helps keep them cool and feels soft to the skin.
We recommend pre-washing seersucker fabric before you sew with it as there will be some natural shrinkage and this first wash brings the nice puckered effect to life.
Why is it called seersucker?
Its name comes from the Persian phrase shir-o-shakhar, meaning “milk and sugar” for the alternating textures. It was first made in hot weather countries like India and later adopted in the early 20th century in the US.
What is the definition of a seersucker fabric?
Seersucker is characterised by a puckered or wrinkled surface created by the weaving process described below.
How is seersucker fabric made?
Seersucker is woven so that the puckered stripes are woven at a greater rate than the warp threads of the smooth stripes giving the fabric a wrinkled or puckered appearance.
Is it woven or knit?
Seersucker is definitely a woven material.
What can you make from seersucker?
As it is such a cool fabric to wear it is perfect for making summer clothes such as summer shorts, trousers, dresses, tops, children’s wear and even bedlinen.
Why is seersucker so good in summer?
Seersucker, most commonly made from cotton is exceptionally light, breathable and airy and doesn’t cling to the skin.
Does seersucker wrinkle easily?
No, that is its beauty especially for holiday packing as it is already wrinkled.
Is seersucker made from cotton?
Seersucker is mostly made from 100% cotton although you can find seersucker made of silk or linen or a blend of both.
Does seersucker shrink?
It can shrink slightly after the first wash which refreshes the puckered effect, which is why we recommend pre-washing before you sew.
Does seersucker need ironing?
The wrinkles and puckers are an intrinsic part of a seersucker fabric so there is no need to iron it at all.
What type of seersuckers can I buy at Fabrics Galore?
We have a range of high quality plain, check and gingham seersuckers in 100% cotton.
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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.
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