Understanding Shirting Fabrics & Tools to Sew the Perfect Shirt
Looking for the best shirting fabrics for shirtmaking? Our comprehensive shirtmaking guide breaks down everything you need to know to sew crisp, professional-looking button-up and button-down shirts. Learn how to choose the right shirting fabric, understand ply and thread count, and select the best interfacing and sewing tools for sharp collars and clean finishes.
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When it comes to shirt-making projects, nothing beats a classic cotton oxford, and we’re delighted to offer this Better Cotton certified shirting in 6 classic, preppy shades. A little thicker than your typical cotton shirting, oxford has a thin checkerboard pattern due to its basketweave texture. Yarn dyed on the warp and white on the weft, these lightweight beauties may remind you of chambray. Smooth and soft with crisp drape, they are ideal for button down shirts, tops and day dresses.
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We searched high and low for the ideal lightweight cotton poplin: something stable, easy to sew, and of course, sustainable. We're pleased as punch to announce our nominee for what may be the lightweight cotton of your dreams: this Oeko-Tex and BCI-certified, 100% cotton poplin. Deliciously soft with a slightly crisp drape, it has a smooth, silky hand. Perfect for all sorts of applications, you'll love sewing it up into shirts, shirtdresses, breathable pajamas, lightweight robes, loose fitting pants, and any application where you need a stable cotton - it's absolutely perfect for quilts and quilted jackets too! Fully opaque, it does not require a lining (though may be used as one!)
Our Favourite Shirting Patterns
Our Shirting Essentials
Core Button Me Happy Tin
Shirting Fabrics at Core Fabrics
Shirting fabrics are lightweight to midweight textiles ideal for sewing shirts, blouses, shirtdresses, and versatile everyday garments. At Core Fabrics, we offer a curated selection of high-quality shirting fabrics for sewists and designers across Canada and internationally, with a focus on comfort, durability, and responsible sourcing.
Our shirting fabrics are sourced from trusted mills in Japan, Europe, and the Americas, including options made with organic and BCI-certified fibres.
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Breathable and Comfortable
Shirting fabrics are designed to be worn close to the skin. Natural fibres like cotton, linen, and blends with TENCEL™ provide breathability, softness, and excellent temperature regulation for year-round wear.
Structured Yet Easy to Wear
Good shirting offers light structure without stiffness, making it perfect for crisp button-ups, relaxed overshirts, tailored dresses, pajamas, and layering pieces.
Versatile Sewing Applications
Beyond classic shirts, shirting fabrics work beautifully for tunics, robes, lightweight pants, modern quilts, and home sewing projects.
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Fibres and Weaves
Our shirting collection includes:
- Cotton poplin, broadcloth, oxford, lawn, and voile
- Organic and BCI-certified cotton
- Cotton–TENCEL™ blends
- Linen and cotton-linen blends
- Lightweight twills and yarn-dyed shirtings
You’ll find fabrics ranging from crisp and smooth to softly textured with a lived-in feel.
Colours and Patterns
Choose from timeless solids, soft neutrals, classic stripes, checks, plaids, and subtle prints. Many of our shirting fabrics are yarn-dyed for long-lasting colour and refined finishes.
- Cotton poplin, broadcloth, oxford, lawn, and voile
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Based in Montreal, Core Fabrics specializes in garment fabrics for home sewing and indie designers. We provide detailed fabric descriptions, weights, and care instructions to help you choose the right fabric with confidence.
We ship across Canada and worldwide, making premium shirting fabrics easy to access wherever you sew.
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Cotton poplin, broadcloth, and oxford are popular choices for shirts due to their stability, breathability, and ease of sewing. For softer drape, cotton–TENCEL™ blends and lightweight twills are excellent options.
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Yes. Many cotton shirtings are stable, easy to cut, and forgiving at the sewing machine, making them ideal for beginners.
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Most cotton shirtings can be machine washed in cool water and air dried or tumble dried on low. Always follow the specific care instructions provided with each fabric.