Twill Fabric: Properties, Uses & Care
Comprehensive twill fabric guide. Learn about twill fiber properties, breathability, durability, sewing uses, and garment care instructions.
Twill is one of the three primary textile weaves (alongside plain and satin). It is easily recognized by its distinctive diagonal parallel ridges or ribs running across the cloth.
Key Properties
- Category: weave
- Breathability: Moderate (tight diagonal weave reduces airflow slightly compared to open plain weave)/10
- Durability: Very High/10
- Texture: Diagonal ribbed hand with substantial body and smooth drape.
Recommended Uses & Care
Common Uses: Chinos and tailored trousers, Denim jackets and jeans, Heritage trench coats, Durable work aprons and uniforms, Upholstery and heavy slipcovers
Care Guidelines: Follow the fiber content. Cotton twill chinos can be machine washed warm and ironed on medium-high heat with steam. Wool twills should be dry cleaned or hand washed gently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is denim the same thing as twill?
Denim is a specific type of twill. Classic denim is a warp-faced cotton twill where the vertical warp threads are dyed blue and the horizontal weft threads remain white.
Why does twill wrinkle less than plain weave?
Because yarns in twill weave have longer floats and fewer crossing points per inch, the yarns have more freedom of movement, allowing the cloth to resist creasing.