Corduroy Fabric

Discover our collection of corduroy fabrics by the metre, soft, velvety textiles instantly recognisable by their characteristic raised ribs or wales. Explore classic corduroy, fine cord and needlecord, alongside related fabrics such as chenille, as well as plain on-trend colours, printed designs and a variety of textures and weights.

At Ribes & Casals, you can buy corduroy fabric by the metre for trousers, jackets, skirts, dresses, shirts, accessories, interiors and upholstery, ordering exactly the amount you need for your project.

What is corduroy fabric?

Corduroy is a cut-pile fabric characterised by distinctive raised ribs, known as wales, running along its surface. These can range from very fine and closely spaced to broad and pronounced, depending on the type of corduroy.

Traditional corduroy construction uses additional yarns to create floats across the surface of the fabric. These are subsequently cut to form the soft pile and characteristic wales.

Corduroy is traditionally associated with cotton, although modern corduroy fabrics may contain different fibres and blends. Always check the individual product details for the exact fibre composition.

What is corduroy like?

Corduroy fabric has a soft, slightly velvety handle and a distinctive textured surface. Depending on the width and density of the wales, it can have a fine, understated appearance or a much bolder texture.

Weight, body, stretch and durability can also vary, making corduroy suitable for clothing, accessories, interiors and, in appropriate qualities, upholstery.

Classic corduroy: the distinctive ribbed fabric

Classic corduroy features clearly visible wales that add texture and character to the fabric. It is a popular choice for trousers, jackets, blazers, skirts, dresses, dungarees and overshirts.

Our collection includes plain corduroy in on-trend colours, ranging from neutral and earthy shades to brighter colours, as well as selected printed corduroy designs.

What is needlecord?

Needlecord, also known as fine corduroy or fine cord, is characterised by very narrow, closely spaced wales. This creates a finer, more subtle and more uniform appearance than wider-wale corduroy.

The soft handle and delicate texture of needlecord fabric make it particularly versatile for trousers, shirts, dresses, skirts, children's clothing, lightweight jackets and accessories.

What is the difference between corduroy and needlecord?

The main difference between classic corduroy and needlecord is the width and number of wales. Traditional corduroy may have medium or broad ribs, whereas needlecord has a much greater number of narrow, closely spaced wales.

This affects the appearance, handle and flexibility of the fabric, although its final weight and drape will also depend on the fibre composition and construction.

Chenille: soft and velvety

Our collection also includes chenille fabrics. Although chenille is not technically a type of corduroy, the two fabric families can share a characteristically soft, warm and velvety handle, making them suitable for some similar projects.

Chenille gets its distinctive texture from fuzzy chenille yarns that create a plush, soft surface. Depending on its construction, it can be used for clothing, accessories, interiors or upholstery.

Differences between corduroy, needlecord and chenille

• Corduroy: a cut-pile fabric with visible raised wales, available in different rib widths, weights and finishes.
• Needlecord: fine corduroy with particularly narrow and closely spaced wales for a subtler appearance.
• Chenille: a fabric with a soft, fuzzy, velvety surface and a different textile construction, without the characteristic wales of corduroy.

Plain and printed corduroy fabric

Explore plain corduroy fabrics in neutral shades, earthy tones and on-trend colours, alongside printed corduroy fabrics for more distinctive garments and creative projects.

What can you make with corduroy?

• Corduroy trousers
• Jackets and blazers
• Skirts and dresses
• Shirts and overshirts
• Dungarees and children's clothing
• Bags and accessories
• Cushions and home accessories
• Upholstery and interior projects when using suitable qualities

Corduroy fabric for dressmaking

Corduroy fabric for dressmaking is a versatile choice for garments that require texture and body. Lighter weights and needlecord are particularly suitable for shirts, dresses and children's clothing, while heavier corduroys work well for trousers, jackets and outerwear.

Corduroy for upholstery and interiors

Upholstery corduroy generally offers greater weight and durability than qualities intended solely for dressmaking. Suitable fabrics can be used for cushions, chairs, headboards and a variety of interior projects.

Not every corduroy is designed for intensive upholstery use, so always check the technical specifications and recommended applications of each individual fabric.

Buy corduroy fabric by the metre online

Explore our range of corduroy fabrics by the metre, including classic corduroy, needlecord, chenille, plain and printed corduroy and suitable upholstery fabrics in a variety of colours and finishes.

Choose the right fabric for your project and buy corduroy fabric online by the metre, ordering exactly the quantity you need.