Twill Fabric

Twill fabrics are strong, heavy and durable fabrics that come in a range of styles. Twill fabrics are created by offsetting the crossings of weft and warp to produce a diagonal or herringbone texture. Because of its structure twill fabrics drape well. Twill fabrics have a high yarn count which is possible due to a reduced number of interlacings, this gives the fabric its durability, water and air resistance.

As a leading fabric wholesaler worldwide, at Whaley’s, we provide an extensive range of twill fabrics that are available in cotton, silk, Bolton, and worsted. Browse our large array of fabrics and if we don’t have what you are looking for then please get in touch and our team of experts will do all they can to meet your fabric requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions About Twill Fabric

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions from our customers about Twill Fabric. If your question isn't covered here, please contact us.

  • Twill is a fabric defined by its weave structure rather than its fibre. The weave creates a diagonal ribbed pattern on the surface, formed when the weft passes over and under multiple warp threads in a stepped sequence. Twill can be made from cotton, wool, silk, polyester, and blends.

  • The diagonal line is called the twill line or wale. It can run from lower-left to upper-right (Z-twill) or from lower-right to upper-left (S-twill). The angle ranges from a steep 63-degree twill to a shallow 27-degree twill, with 45-degree being most common.

  • Twill is generally more durable than plain weave of the same fibre and weight. The diagonal floats let the fibres pack together more tightly, producing a denser fabric that resists wear, snagging, and tearing. This is why twill is used widely in workwear and denim.

  • Denim is a specific type of cotton twill, traditionally made with an indigo-dyed warp and an undyed weft, giving the characteristic blue surface and white reverse. Other cotton twills can use yarns of any colour. All denim is twill, but not all cotton twill is denim.

    See our Twill fabric product range