How to choose a plush fabric
Four numbers decide almost everything. Get these right and the family name barely matters.
1. Pile height (mm)
The single biggest driver of hand-feel and price. 1–3 mm reads as velvet and prints cleanly. 5–12 mm is the toy and apparel workhorse. 15–35 mm is fur territory: beautiful, heavier, sheds more, costs more. We publish a figure for 28 of the 94 fabrics and are measuring the rest.
2. Weight (g/m²)
Our range runs 135–990 g/m². Lining and backing sit at 135–210. Toy bodies are usually 210–400. Above 450 you are into heavy fur and rugs — check your sewing line can handle it before you fall in love with a swatch.
3. Width (cm)
143–185 cm across the range. Width changes yield more than people expect: a 185 cm cloth at a slightly higher price per yard is often cheaper per finished piece. Send us your marker and we will work it out with you.
4. Composition
Most of the range is 100% polyester. There are poly/nylon blends for a crisper hand, poly/spandex for stretch, and a few 100% cotton terry and waffle qualities. If you need recycled content, read the certification note on the source mill page first.
Ordering
- Swatch cards are free. Tell us the product and we will pick the shortlist.
- 37 fabrics can be cut from one yard, so you can sample before committing.
- Custom constructions and prints run to order — MOQ and lead time are quoted per fabric.
- Colour is matched to your Pantone or to a physical sample you post to us. Lab dips before bulk.
- We do not publish prices, because they move with quantity, colour count and yarn cost. Ask and you get a real number.
Still not sure which family fits?
Send us the product you are making and whichever of the four numbers you already know. We will shortlist the fabrics and send swatches.