Suede Dress Fabric

Why Choose Suede for Dressmaking?

Suede is a popular dressmaking material known for its soft, velvety texture and structured feel. Faux suede fabric, in particular, offers a practical and affordable alternative while maintaining a similar appearance.

Key benefits of suede dressmaking fabric include:

• Soft, smooth texture with a premium feel

• Structured yet flexible for garment making

• Durable and suitable for everyday wear

• Ideal for autumn and winter garments

This makes suede dress fabric a great choice for creating garments that combine comfort, texture, and style.

Why Buy Suede Dress Fabric From Us?

At Cheap Fabrics, we offer a wide range of suede dressmaking fabric at competitive prices, with options to suit different budgets while maintaining consistent quality.

Our collection includes a variety of options such as faux suede fabric, soft-touch finishes, and different colour choices, giving you flexibility across different designs and projects. All fabrics are sold by the metre, so you can order the exact amount needed for your design.

With consistent quality, a wide selection, and fast UK delivery, we make it easy to source suede dress fabric for dressmaking projects of all sizes.

FAQs

What is suede fabric and what types are available for dressmaking?

In a dressmaking context, suede fabric almost always refers to faux suede (also sold as suedette or microsuede) rather than genuine animal hide. It is a synthetic fabric, typically made from 100% polyester microfibre, brushed to create a soft, velvety, matte surface that closely resembles real suede. The most widely used variety for dress sewing is standard suedette, which is lightweight to medium weight and suits structured styles such as shift dresses and A-line skirts. Scuba suede (or stretch suedette) combines the matte appearance with the firmness and slight stretch of scuba fabric, making it popular for fitted and bodycon styles. Foil suede has a metallic or iridescent surface finish used for occasion wear.

What is the difference between faux suede and real suede?

Genuine suede is the inner surface of animal hide, most commonly lamb, calf, or deer, split and buffed to produce a soft, naturally textured nap. It is warm, breathable, and has a subtle variation in texture that synthetic versions cannot fully replicate. However, it is expensive, water-sensitive, and generally requires professional cleaning. Faux suede is a fully synthetic alternative that closely mimics the look and feel of the real thing while being far more practical: it is significantly more affordable, machine washable, water-resistant, and consistent in texture throughout. For garment making, faux suede is the standard choice.

Does faux suede fray when cut?

One of the most useful properties of faux suede for dressmakers is that it does not fray at cut edges, particularly in the non-woven microfibre varieties that make up most of the market. Because the fabric is constructed from bonded or tightly compacted fibres rather than woven threads, there are no exposed yarns to unravel when the fabric is cut. This means that seam allowances and hems can often be left as raw edges without any finishing, which simplifies the construction process and is particularly useful for decorative raw-edge design details. Stretch suedette blends may require a little more attention to edges, so it is worth checking the specific fabric you are using.

What needle and stitch settings should I use to sew faux suede?

Faux suede behaves quite differently from most dress fabrics because it holds needle holes permanently; any stitch mark, seam removal, or over-sewing in the same area will leave visible puncture marks on the surface. For this reason, a longer stitch length than usual is important, around 3mm to 4mm, to minimise the number of holes per inch and reduce the risk of weakening the seam. A Microtex needle (size 80/12) works well for lightweight suedette; for thicker or stiffer versions, a Leather needle gives a cleaner result. Use a Teflon foot or walking foot to prevent the fabric from sticking and dragging against the presser foot, and replace pins with sewing clips to avoid marking the surface.

Does faux suede have a nap, and does it affect cutting?

Yes, faux suede has a directional nap, meaning the surface fibres lie in one direction and the fabric reflects light differently depending on which way it is oriented. Running your hand along the surface in one direction will feel smooth, and in the other direction it will feel slightly rougher. If pattern pieces are cut in different directions, sections of the finished garment will appear to be different shades when worn, which is rarely desirable. All pieces must be laid out and cut with the nap running in the same direction throughout. Mark the direction on each pattern piece before cutting, and use a single-layer cutting layout for accuracy.

How do I press faux suede without damaging it?

Because faux suede is polyester, it will melt, scorch, or develop a permanently shiny mark if a hot iron is placed directly on its surface. Always press from the wrong side of the fabric, setting the iron to a low, synthetic setting. If you need to press anywhere near the right side, place a thin cotton pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric for protection. Using a seam roll or rolled towel underneath the seam allowances prevents the seam edge from pressing a visible ridge through to the right side. A handheld steamer used at a distance of several inches is the gentler and safer alternative to an iron for refreshing the surface or smoothing light creases.

How do I wash and care for faux suede fabric?

Most faux suede garments can be machine washed on a cool, gentle cycle (30°C) using a mild liquid detergent. Placing the garment in a mesh laundry bag protects the surface from friction against other items. For minor marks or stains, spot cleaning with a clean cloth dampened with cool water and a small amount of mild detergent is the safest approach; always blot rather than rub, as rubbing can disturb the surface nap and leave a visibly roughened patch. Air dry or tumble dry on a cool setting; avoid high heat, which can distort the synthetic fibres or flatten the nap permanently. Dry cleaning solvents can damage synthetic suede and should be avoided.