Knowledge French terry is the classic sweatshirt fabric, with a smooth and flat outside and a structured inside consisting of uncut loops.
French terry is an elastic jersey fabric characterised by two completely different sides. The front has a flat and smooth surface while the back, which is worn against the skin, features a structure of uncut loops. Commonly knitted from cotton yarns, the fabric is soft, airy, and highly moisture-absorbent. The longer the loops on the back, the more moisture can be absorbed. French terry is often used in sportswear and children’s clothes. The fabric’s athletic origins date back to the 1920s when a manufacturer of women’s underwear, located in Alabama, USA, began making football jerseys for a local college team. Using the knitted underwear material to outfit the players, the factory created what ultimately became the classic sweatshirt.