French Terry: The Sweatshirt Fabric
French terry is the fabric most hoodies, sweatshirts and joggers are made of: a knit with a smooth face on the outside and rows of soft yarn loops on the inside. Those loops are the giveaway — flip a sweatshirt inside out, and if you see tiny horizontal loops instead of fuzz, you are looking at french terry.
It is the year-round member of the sweats family: warmer than a tee, cooler than fleece, absorbent enough for actual activity.
How french terry is made
It is knit in one pass — the loops are formed by an extra yarn laid into the back of a jersey base, not brushed or added later. Leave the loops as they are and you have french terry; brush them into fuzz and you have sweatshirt fleece. Same construction, one finishing step apart, which is why the two share weights and uses but feel different inside.
Weights and variants
Lightweight french terry (under about 240 gsm) makes dresses and year-round lounge sets; the classic 240–300 gsm range is hoodie and jogger territory; 350 gsm and up reads heavyweight and premium. Big-loop terry shows off oversized loops as a design feature, and cotton-spandex terry adds recovery for fitted joggers.
What french terry feels like
Smooth and slightly substantial outside, soft and airy inside. The loops trap a little warmth and wick moisture — terry is the same idea as a towel, miniaturized. Most french terry has moderate stretch; cotton-spandex versions recover well enough for fitted joggers.
What to sew with french terry
- Hoodies and crewneck sweatshirts
- Joggers and shorts
- Zip-ups, raglans and kids' clothes
- Lightweight versions for dresses and lounge sets
Pair it with rib knit for cuffs, hems and neckbands — the classic sweatshirt formula. Sew with a ballpoint or stretch needle and a stretch stitch; a walking foot keeps thick hems feeding.
French terry vs. fleece
Fleece is brushed into a lofted nap — warmer, bulkier, usually polyester. French terry keeps its loops — cooler, smoother, more often cotton-rich. Fleece for warmth-first projects; terry for sweats you can wear most of the year. Sweatshirt fleece (loopback brushed on the inside) sits exactly between.
How to care for french terry
Machine wash cool, tumble low. Cotton-rich terry shrinks like any cotton knit — pre-wash before cutting. Wash inside-out to protect the face, and skip the softener that mats the loops.
French Terry, measured
Fibers in our french terry
- Polyester80%
- Cotton62%
- Spandex29%
- Viscose20%
Share of listings containing each fiber — most cloths blend two or more.
Live from 2,101 measured listings on our shelf. How we measure →
Common questions
What fabric are hoodies made of?
Usually french terry or its brushed sibling, sweatshirt fleece — cotton or cotton-poly, in the 240–350 gsm range depending on season. Heavier reads premium and structured; lighter drapes and layers.
Is french terry warm?
Moderately — the loops hold some air, but it breathes far better than fleece. That balance is exactly why it works most of the year.
What weight should I pick for joggers or a hoodie?
Around 240–300 gsm suits most joggers and year-round hoodies; push heavier for structure and winter, lighter for lounge sets. Every listing on our shelf shows measured gsm, so match the number to the project.
Does french terry shrink?
Cotton-rich terry can shrink 3–5% on a hot first wash. Pre-wash warm, dry low, then cut.
