What is Pique Fabric ? Characteristics of Pique Fabric |

Pique fabric is a member of the cotton family with distinctive raised ribbing. Due to the raised ribbing, pique has more body and stiffness than normal cotton, and as a result, is considered medium weight cotton. Pique is handled according to the characteristics of ribbed fabrics

What is Pique Fabric

hen wading through all of the different types of fabrics in the blank apparel industry, you’re sure to stumble upon pique. But what does that mean? Is it cotton, polyester, or both?

Pique fabric is created using a dobby loom attachment. It is typically woven or knit and has patterns of fine ribbing or cording. Pique fabric differs from your standard jersey t-shirt as it has a textured, waffle weave look whereas jersey tees have smooth, flat surfaces. Woven piques usually have parallel cording running the length of the fabric and knit piques oftentimes feature ribbing or waffle weaves.

Pique fabrics are typically medium weight and are made using cotton and cotton-polyester blends. One advantage of the patterns created using the dobby loom attachment is that the weave is airy and provides additional ventilation. This is particularly nice for knit pique polo shirts that are worn in warm summer months!

Pique knitting produces polo shirts that are generally considered more formal than their jersey polo counterparts. They are durable, have dimension and texture, show sweat less, but do tend to wrinkle a bit more than standard jersey knits.

Ultimately, opting for pique fabric is a great way to achieve a more formal look without being forced to dust off your long sleeve button-up. It’s sophisticated, but not stuffy. In terms of downsides to pique, be mindful that it tends to wrinkle- but that’s about it!

Pique polo shirts are a timeless wardrobe staple, and since the birth of the first polo shirt in 1926, have continued to be a must-have for men, women, and kids alike.

Pique Fabric Characteristics:

Much weaker than fabrics without ribs
May require a nap layout
Some are easily marred by pins, needles or ripping
Susceptible to seam slippage
Puckered seams are sometimes a problem
Some creep badly when stitched
Some are damaged during pressing
May watersport and show perspiration stains

Working With Pique Fabrics Requires:

Sewing machine needles recommended 80/12
Hand sewing needles sizes 5-10
Sewing machine settings recommended is a stitch length of 2.5 mm
Sewing machine foot recommended is the standard foot
Thread recommended is good quality cotton or polyester
The layout is without a nap, double thickness
Marking recommended is with Clo-Chalk or tracing wheel
Tools and equipment recommended are sharp scissors, rotary cutter and mat, sharp shears, pins, and fabric weights
Seams and hems recommended are plain, double-ply, self-finished, piped, tucked, slot seams, and hems that are plain, hand double-stitched, hand blindstitched, blind catch stitched, catch stitched,
Seam finishes recommended are flat fell, straight seam, each side of seam serged separately
Hem finishes recommended are serged, hand-stitched, or topstitched with double-needle
Pressing with a steam iron on cotton setting
Closures recommended are buttonholes, snaps, and button loops