Fabric Base Information
We know it can be overwhelming having so many bases to choose from, so here's the information and washing instructions for each of our fabrics — composition, weight, and width, all in one spot. All our fabrics are Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certified, meaning they've been independently tested and given the all-clear for harmful substances, so you can sew with peace of mind.
Not sure which base suits your project? Our guide to choosing the right fabric is a good place to start — or if you're stuck deciding between Cotton Lycra, Rib Knit, and French Terry specifically, we've broken that down too.
Athletic Wicking Jersey (AWJ)
140gsm · 100% Polyester · Printed: 155cm WOF · Solid: 180cm WOF
Bamboo French Terry
300gsm · 95% Bamboo / 5% Spandex · 152cm WOF
Bamboo Lycra
250gsm · 95% Bamboo / 5% Spandex · 150cm WOF
Canvas*
240gsm · 100% Cotton · 143cm WOF
Cotton Interlock*
200gsm · 100% Cotton · 155cm WOF · 2-way mechanical stretch (horizontal)
Cotton Linen*
110gsm · 55% Linen / 45% Cotton · 137cm WOF
Cotton Lycra
220gsm & 270gsm · 95% Cotton / 5% Spandex · Also available in Organic · 145cm WOF
French Terry
300gsm · 95% Cotton / 5% Spandex · Also available in Organic · 145cm WOF
Linen*
200gsm · 100% Linen · 130cm WOF
Modal*
180gsm · 95% Modal / 5% Spandex · 175cm WOF
PUL*
180gsm · 100% Polyester (Polyurethane Laminate) · 145cm WOF
Rib Knit
250gsm · 95% Cotton / 5% Spandex · 145cm WOF · 4x2 rib
Softshell*
325gsm · 95% Polyester / 5% Spandex · 143cm WOF
Stretch Corduroy*
180gsm · 97% Cotton / 3% Spandex · 148cm WOF
Swim*
220gsm · 88% Polyester / 12% Spandex · 145cm WOF
Waffle*
260gsm · 95% Cotton / 5% Spandex · 145cm WOF
Woven
150gsm · 100% Cotton · 145cm WOF
A few important notes
Although "lycra" is commonly used in the names of fabrics across the industry, it’s technically a brand name, and the official name that is used in NZ to label to match labelling requirements is actually elastane. For ease of recognition across the site we've used Cotton Lycra and Bamboo Lycra, but if you need to label an item you sew with our fabric to sell you'll need to use Cotton Elastane and Bamboo Elastane.
"Lycra"
Minimum order requirements
*Some of our bases have a minimum order amount set by our supplier or we are reliant on their stock levels at the time of order. We'll always keep you in the loop - if we don't reach that minimum, we'll contact you so you can choose what works best: a refund for that part of the order, a swap to a different base, or holding it over for next time.
Care Tips and Washing Instructions
We want your 3am Threads creations to look their best for years to come. Proper care starts before you even cut your fabric. Follow these guidelines to ensure your fabrics stay vibrant, soft, and durable throughout their life (we won't judge you if you don't though - we definitely don't follow our own instructions!). Heat and agitation will speed up the fading of the print - other than that though, our fabrics stand up well to most types of washing.
Stretch Knits
Includes Cotton Lycra, French Terry, Rib Knit, and Bamboo blends. Cold gentle machine wash with like colors is recommended. Do not bleach. Tumble dry on low or line dry in the shade to prevent fading and maintain elasticity (although we'll be honest, we definitely hot wash and tumble dry our own!). Pre-washing on warm or hot is highly encouraged as natural fibers can shrink up to 5%.
Polyester Bases (AWJ, PUL, Softshell, Swim)
- Athletic Wicking Jersey is 100% polyester and very resilient; machine wash warm.
- For PUL, wash up to 60°C; do not iron or dry clean.
- Softshell should be washed cool/warm and line dried.
- Rinse Swim fabric after use in chlorine or salt water to protect the Spandex fibers, followed by a gentle machine wash. Avoid rough surfaces that can snag the knit.
Wovens & Linens
Includes 100% Cotton Woven, Linen, and Cotton Linen blends. Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle. Line dry in the shade. Iron on a warm-to-high setting while the fabric is slightly damp for best results.
Waffle
Waffle fabric has high stretch and texture; wash cold and dry flat if possible to prevent stretching out of shape. Prewash Waffle fabric on hot and tumble dry (repeat this process more than once if desired) as the shrinkage can be significant.