Yarn Dyed Fabric

Yarn Dyed Gingham

Gingham is the classic yarn dye, loved for aprons, kids' clothing, picnic linens and cottage quilts. Choose Crawford Gingham 1/8" in Forest or Violet, or Sevenberry's Carolina Gingham 1/8" Lavender.

Nantucket Madras Patchwork

Our yarn-dyed Nantucket Patchwork comes pre-sewn into a patchwork of colorful madras plaids, ready to cut for shirts, shorts, tote bags and quilts. Choose bright Summer, warm Mango, classic Blue, festive Holly, or red, white and blue Americana.

Plaid Twill for Shirts

Robert Kaufman's Sevenberry Classic Plaid Yarn Dyed Twill is a 57"-wide cotton twill made for shirts, jackets and skirts, and the extra width means less yardage per garment. Choose Hunter Green or Yellow, and browse more in our plaid fabric collection.

Essex Yarn Dyed Linen Blends

Robert Kaufman's Essex Yarn Dyed fabrics blend linen and cotton for a relaxed, textured look. Essex Homespun Natural is a versatile neutral for bags, pillows and table linens, and Essex Metallic Camel adds a subtle shimmer.

What Is Yarn Dyed Fabric?

In yarn dyed fabric, the threads are dyed before weaving, so the pattern is woven in rather than printed on top. That means both sides look the same, and the colors hold up well wash after wash, which makes yarn dyes ideal for garments where the inside shows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between yarn dyed and printed fabric?
Yarn dyed fabric has the pattern woven in, so it looks the same on both sides. Printed fabric has the design on one side only. Yarn dyes are a favorite for shirts, cuffs and anything reversible.

How much fabric do I need for a button-down shirt?
An adult long-sleeve shirt typically takes about 3 yards of 44" fabric or about 2¼ yards of 57" fabric. Add extra for matching plaids, and always check your pattern.

Should I prewash yarn dyed fabric?
Yes. Wash in cold water and dry on low to preshrink before cutting, especially for garments.

Can I quilt with yarn dyed fabric?
Absolutely. Gingham and madras add wonderful texture to quilts. Some yarn dyes are a little looser in weave than quilting cotton, so handle bias edges gently.

Ready to sew with woven-in color? Pick a gingham, madras or plaid twill, and reach $100 to get free shipping. For more checks and stripes, see our dots and stripes collection.