Crepe fabric is known for its distinctive textured surface and beautiful drape, making it a popular choice for dressmaking, occasion wear, blouses, and flowing garments. If you’ve ever wondered what crepe fabric is best used for, or whether it’s the right material for your project, this guide is here to help.
Crepe can be made from a variety of fibres including polyester, cotton, silk, or blended materials. What sets it apart isn’t just the fibre content, but the way it’s woven or twisted to create its slightly crinkled, pebbled texture. This gives crepe its characteristic fluid movement and soft structure.
Crepe fabric performs particularly well where drape, movement, and elegance matter while still being practical enough for everyday dressmaking, depending on the type chosen.
What This Crepe Buying Guide Covers
What Is Crepe Fabric?
Crepe fabric is defined by its slightly crinkled or textured surface, created through specific weaving or twisting techniques. Unlike smooth woven fabrics, crepe has a subtle grain or pebbled feel that gives it softness and movement.
Crepe can be made from a variety of materials, including polyester, cotton, silk, and blended fibres. The fibre content influences how the fabric feels, drapes, and performs, while the characteristic crepe texture remains the defining feature.
It can be lightweight and fluid or slightly heavier with more structure, depending on the fibre content and finish. Many dressmakers choose crepe for garments that require natural drape, such as wrap dresses, blouses, skirts, and occasionwear.
What Is Crepe Made From?
Crepe fabric can be made from several different materials, and the fibre content plays a major role in how the fabric feels, drapes, and performs. At Cheap Fabrics, our crepe range includes a variety of options designed to suit different needs and budgets.
Polyester Crepe
Polyester crepe is one of the most popular and widely used types. It’s durable, affordable, and easy to care for, making it a practical choice for everyday dresses, blouses, skirts, and occasionwear. Polyester crepe typically offers a smooth drape with a matte finish and is available in both plain and printed styles. It’s particularly suitable for garments that need to be washed regularly without losing their shape or colour.
Stretch Crepe
Stretch crepe is usually polyester-based with added elastane, giving the fabric flexibility and comfort. This makes it ideal for fitted dresses, pencil skirts, and garments that require movement without feeling restrictive. Stretch crepe is a popular option for body-skimming designs where ease of wear is just as important as appearance.
Cotton Crepe
Cotton crepe combines the natural breathability of cotton with the subtle texture of crepe. It tends to feel lighter and more breathable than polyester versions, making it well suited to summer garments, relaxed dresses, and casual tops. Cotton crepe is often chosen when comfort and airflow are priorities.
Silk Crepe
Silk crepe is a more luxurious option, known for its soft, fluid drape and elegant finish. It’s often selected for formal dresses, occasionwear, and garments where movement and refinement matter. While typically more expensive than synthetic options, silk crepe offers a premium look and feel.
Properties of Crepe Fabric
Crepe fabric has several distinctive properties that set it apart from smoother woven fabrics. These characteristics influence how it looks, feels, and behaves when sewn and worn.
Textured Surface
One of the most recognisable properties of crepe is its slightly crinkled or pebbled texture. This surface texture is created through specific weaving or twisting techniques rather than fibre content alone. The texture gives crepe a soft visual depth and a more matte appearance compared to shiny fabrics like satin.
Fluid Drape
Crepe is known for its natural drape. It tends to fall softly and move with the body, making it especially suitable for dresses, blouses, skirts, and occasionwear. Even slightly heavier crepe fabrics maintain a degree of fluidity compared to standard woven cottons.
Soft Structure
Unlike very stiff woven fabrics, crepe provides shape without rigidity. It holds its silhouette while still allowing movement, which is why it’s often used in wrap dresses, tailored skirts, and layered garments.
Moderate Stretch (in Some Variants)
Stretch crepe contains elastane, giving it flexibility and comfort. This makes it particularly suitable for fitted garments such as pencil skirts or body-skimming dresses. Non-stretch crepe, however, behaves more like a standard woven fabric.
Lightweight to Medium Weight
Crepe is typically lightweight to medium in weight, depending on the fibre. Lightweight crepe feels airy and fluid, while heavier crepe provides more coverage and structure.
Slight Fraying at Edges
Some crepe fabrics can fray when cut, particularly lighter varieties. Finishing seams properly helps prevent this and ensures a longer-lasting garment.
Fibre-Dependent Breathability
Breathability varies based on whether the crepe is made from cotton, silk, polyester, or blends. Natural fibre crepes tend to allow more airflow, while polyester versions prioritise durability and easy care.
Types of Crepe Fabric
Crepe fabric is available in several variations, each suited to different projects and garment styles. Understanding the differences makes it easier to choose the right option for your design.
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Plain Crepe Fabric - Plain crepe typically features a matte finish with a soft, fluid drape. It’s widely used for dresses, blouses, skirts, and occasion garments where movement and structure are both important.
Our best selling plain crepe fabric.
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Printed Crepe Fabric - Printed crepe combines the classic crepe texture with bold or decorative patterns. These fabrics are ideal for statement dresses, flowing tops, and eye-catching garments where design impact matters.
Our best selling printed crepe fabric.
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Stretch Crepe - Stretch crepe includes elastane, providing added comfort and flexibility. This makes it particularly suitable for fitted dresses, pencil skirts, and tailored garments that need ease of movement without losing shape.
Our best selling stretch crepe fabric.
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Jacquard or Textured Crepe - Jacquard crepe features subtle woven patterns or enhanced texture rather than printed designs. It adds visual interest and depth, making it suitable for structured dresses and more formal garments.
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Crepe Lining Fabric - A lighter-weight crepe often used as lining or for garments requiring a smooth yet matte finish. It works well beneath dresses and skirts where structure is needed without bulk.
Our best selling crepe lining fabric.
Advantages of Crepe Fabric
Crepe is popular for several practical and aesthetic reasons:
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Beautiful Drape - Crepe falls naturally and moves well, making it ideal for dresses and garments designed to flow.
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Elegant Appearance - The subtle textured surface gives garments a more refined look compared to flat woven fabrics.
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Versatile for Dressmaking - Suitable for wrap dresses, skirts, blouses, occasionwear, and tailored garments, depending on the type chosen.
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Good Structure Without Stiffness - Crepe provides shape and definition without feeling rigid, helping garments maintain their silhouette.
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Available in Multiple Fibre Options - From affordable polyester to luxurious silk, crepe suits a wide range of budgets and project types.
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Widely Available in Plains and Prints - Crepe works equally well in bold statement patterns or understated solid colours, offering flexibility in design.
Disadvantages of Crepe (And Fabric Alternatives)
While crepe has many strengths, it isn’t ideal for every project:
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Can Be Slippery to Sew - Some lightweight crepes, particularly silk or very fluid polyester versions, can shift slightly when cutting or stitching. Beginners may prefer starting with a more stable, medium-weight crepe or a structured woven fabric.
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Not Always Suitable for Structured Designs - If your project requires crisp structure or stiffness, fabrics such as cotton poplin or heavier woven materials may be more appropriate than soft, draping crepe.
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May Fray at the Edges - Certain crepe fabrics can fray more easily than tightly woven fabrics. Proper seam finishing, such as overlocking or zigzag stitching, helps ensure durability.
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Breathability Depends on Fibre Content - Polyester crepe is generally less breathable than cotton or silk versions. If airflow and coolness are priorities, a natural-fibre crepe or lightweight cotton fabric may be a better choice.
Is Crepe Fabric Easy to Sew?
Crepe can feel slightly intimidating if you’re new to sewing, but it isn’t necessarily difficult, it just requires a little more care than very stable fabrics like cotton.
For beginners, the easiest type of crepe to work with is usually medium-weight polyester crepe or stretch crepe. These fabrics have enough structure to stay manageable when cutting and stitching, while still offering the soft drape that makes crepe so popular for dresses and blouses. They’re far more forgiving than silk crepe or very lightweight versions.
Light, fluid crepes can shift or move slightly under the sewing machine foot, which can make straight seams and hems feel trickier at first. However, this can be managed with a few simple adjustments:
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Cut fabric on a flat surface and avoid letting it hang over the edge
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Use sharp fabric scissors to prevent dragging
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Pin carefully and use plenty of pins if needed
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Sew at a steady, controlled pace rather than rushing
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Test your stitch settings on a small scrap first
Many beginners find that once they slow down and handle crepe gently, it becomes much easier to manage.
If this is your first time sewing with crepe, choosing a slightly heavier polyester crepe is usually the safest starting point. It gives you the elegant movement crepe is known for, without the delicacy of silk or ultra-light fabrics.
Is Crepe Good for Summer?
Crepe can be a very good choice for summer garments but it depends on the type of crepe you choose.
Lightweight crepe fabrics, particularly cotton crepe or lightweight polyester crepe, work well for summer dresses, blouses, skirts, and relaxed tops. The natural drape of crepe allows garments to hang away from the body slightly, which can help with airflow in looser-fitting designs. This makes it especially suitable for wrap dresses, floaty midi styles, and layered summer outfits.
However, breathability varies depending on fibre content. Cotton crepe tends to feel cooler and more breathable, making it ideal for warmer weather. Polyester crepe is less breathable than natural fibres but still works well for summer when used in loose silhouettes rather than close-fitting garments.
Crepe is particularly popular for summer occasion wear because it combines movement with coverage. Unlike very sheer fabrics such as chiffon, crepe often provides a little more opacity while still feeling light and elegant.
If you’re sewing for very hot or humid conditions and maximum breathability is your top priority, natural fibres like cotton or linen may feel cooler overall. But for stylish summer dresses, blouses, and flowing garments, lightweight crepe is often an excellent balance between comfort and elegance.
Is Crepe Good for Beginners?
Crepe can be suitable for beginners, but the type you choose makes a difference. Medium-weight polyester crepe is generally easier to manage, as it has enough structure to stay stable when cutting and sewing while still offering the soft drape crepe is known for.
Lightweight silk crepe or very fluid versions can be more challenging. These fabrics may shift during cutting or move slightly under the sewing machine foot, which can make neat seams harder to achieve if you’re still building confidence.
If you’re new to sewing, it’s best to start with a stable, medium-weight crepe rather than very lightweight or delicate options. While crepe isn’t quite as forgiving as cotton, with careful handling and steady stitching it can still be a rewarding fabric for beginner dressmaking projects.
Is Crepe Fabric Expensive?
Not typically. Polyester crepe and most standard crepes fall into a budget-friendly price range for most sewists and dressmakers. Silky or higher-end crepes (such as heavier textured or specialty finishes) can cost more, but cheaper everyday versions provide excellent value when you’re making dresses, blouses, skirts, or casual separates.
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Entry-level / Everyday Crepe - Polyester crepe and plain crepe fabrics start at around £2.99 per metre (such as Plain Crepe Fabric at ~£2.99/m).
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Textured and Mid-Range Options - Slightly more textured crepes like pebble crepe typically sit around £4.99 per metre.
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Specialty or Decorative Crepe - Fabrics such as Plain Crepe Jacquard Fabric are often priced around £2.99 per metre.
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Budget Linings and Basics - Lightweight crepe linings are very affordable, with options like Plain Matt Crepe Lining Fabric around £2.99 per metre.
How to Care for Crepe Fabric
Care instructions for crepe fabric vary depending on the fibre content, so it’s always important to check the specific product details before washing. Polyester crepe is typically machine washable on a cool setting, making it a practical and low-maintenance option for everyday garments. Silk crepe, however, is more delicate and may require hand washing or specialist dry cleaning to preserve its texture and drape.
Air drying is generally recommended for most types of crepe, as it helps maintain the fabric’s shape and prevents unnecessary wear from high heat. When ironing is needed, use a low to medium heat setting. Steam can help ease out creases without flattening the fabric’s characteristic texture. As with any fabric, checking individual care guidance ensures the best long-term results.
How to Identify Premium Crepe Fabric When Shopping Online
When buying crepe fabric online, a few key checks can help you choose the right option.
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Check the fibre content - This affects drape, breathability, durability, and care. Polyester, cotton, and silk crepe will all behave differently.
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Look at weight and width details - Fabric weight helps you judge how it will hang and whether it suits your project.
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Read the recommended uses - Product descriptions often suggest suitable garments, helping confirm if it’s right for your design.
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Examine product images - Clear photos should show the texture and give a realistic idea of colour.
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Order a sample if unsure - Seeing and feeling the fabric in person can prevent costly mistakes.
Crepe vs Other Fabrics
Understanding how crepe compares to other popular dressmaking fabrics can help you decide which material best suits your project.
Crepe vs Viscose
Both crepe and viscose are known for their drape, making them popular choices for dresses and blouses. However, crepe typically has a more textured surface and slightly more structure. Viscose tends to feel smoother and can drape more fluidly, sometimes clinging more closely to the body. Crepe often holds its shape better, making it suitable for garments that need movement without losing form.
Crepe vs Satin
Satin is smooth, glossy, and reflective, giving garments a more polished or glamorous appearance. Crepe, by contrast, has a matte finish and subtle texture, creating a softer and often more understated look. While satin can feel slippery and delicate, crepe usually provides more grip and a slightly heavier feel, which can make it easier to manage for certain projects.
Crepe vs Chiffon
Chiffon is typically lighter, more delicate, and often sheer. It creates a very floaty, airy effect but usually requires lining. Crepe generally offers more coverage and body, making it easier to work with for dresses and skirts that need structure as well as movement. For a garment that requires transparency and layering, chiffon may be preferred, whereas crepe provides more opacity and stability.
Is Crepe the Right Material for You?
Crepe is a great choice if you’re looking for fluid drape, an elegant matte finish, and versatility across a wide range of dressmaking projects. It works particularly well for dresses, skirts, blouses, and occasion wear where movement and softness enhance the overall design. With options available across different fibre types and price points, there’s usually a crepe to suit both your project and your budget.
That said, if you need crisp structure, maximum breathability, or a very rigid finish, a more structured woven fabric may be a better option.
Overall, crepe offers a balance of practicality and elegance. By choosing the right type for your design, you can sew with confidence and achieve a professional-looking result.
