5 Best Denim and Chambray Fabric

5 Best Denim and Chambray Fabric Reviews
There are so many different types of fabric available, such as satin, rayon, linen, jacquard, and knits, and while all of these fabrics have their uses, there’s one type of fabric that you are most certainly going to want to keep stock of, and that’s denim and chambray. Denim comes in a wide variety of weights and can be used for a variety of different projects, from apparel to home décor. It’s also extremely easy to care for and has a classic look that works with virtually any style. Because of the simplicity, durability, and ease of use of this fabric, it’s no wonder why denim and chambray is so beloved.

There are various different types of denim and chambray fabrics on the market, though, which can make it difficult to decide which option to use. It must be noted that not all denims and chambrays are made the same; some are subpar quality, and when it comes to your creations, you want to select the best quality fabric possible in order to ensure you create a beautiful piece. So, with so many different choices available, how do you know which denim and chambray fabric to choose? We’ve taken the liberty of investigating a variety of different options. We tested out dozens of different denim and chambray fabrics and read through what seemed like countless reviews. Based on our investigation, we were able to narrow down the options to what we consider to be the top five denim and chambray fabrics currently available.

Fabric Pros Cons
Chicago Canvas 5 Yard Bolt 60 Denim Cotton Fabric 100 Percent Cotton – Made of 100 percent cotton
– Sturdy and soft
– Easy to care for
– Wide range of uses
– Some users reported fading after washing
Robert Kaufman Denim 8 oz Light Indigo Washed Denim Fabric – Made of 100 percent cotton
– Lightweight and durable
– Easy to care for
– Classic color
– Some users found it scratchy
TELIO 4.8 oz Denim Chambray Dark Blue Fabric by The Yard – Affordable
– Breathable and durable
– Easy to care for
– Dark blue color
– Some users reported fading after washing
– Can cause staining if not washed before use
Robert Kaufman Denim 10 Oz Fabric Indigo Washed Fabric by the Yard – Made of 100 percent cotton
– Sturdy and breathable
– Easy to care for
– Wide range of uses
– Some users found the color lighter than expected
James Thompson & Co 10 oz Bull Denim White – Made of 100 percent cotton
– Brilliant white color
– Durable and breathable
– Easy to care for
– Some users reported shrinking after washing (due to incorrect care instructions)

Best Denim and Chambray Fabrics

Image Denim & Chambray Fabric Rating
Chicago-Canvas-5-Yard-Bolt-60in-Denim-Cotton-Fabric 1. Chicago Canvas 5 Yard Bolt – 60in Denim Cotton Fabric 99%
Robert-Kaufman-Kaufman-Denim-8-oz.-Light-Indigo-Washed 2. Robert Kaufman Denim 8 oz. Light Indigo Washed 96%
TELIO-4.8-oz-Denim-Chambray-Dark-Blue-Fabric-by-The-Yard 3. TELIO 4.8 oz Denim Chambray Dark Blue Fabric by The Yard 93%
Robert-Kaufman-Denim-10-oz.-Fabric-Indigo-Washed 4. Robert Kaufman Denim 10 oz. Fabric, Indigo Washed 89%
James-Thompson-Co.-10-oz.-Bull-Denim-White 5. James Thompson & Co. 10 oz. Bull Denim White 85%

1. Chicago Canvas 5 Yard Bolt 60 Denim Cotton Fabric 100 Percent Cotton

Chicago Canvas 5 Yard Bolt - 60in Denim Cotton Fabric Product Image

The first option offered on our list of the best denim fabric reviews is a material that comes from Chicago Canvas. This material is made of 100 percent cotton and features a lovely dark navy finish. It’s sturdy enough to withstand regular wear and tear, yet soft enough to wear against the skin without causing irritation. It’s also pretty easy to cut and pass through various types of machines, such as a heavy duty sewing machine or a mechanical sewing machine.

This denim material is can be used to make a variety of projects, such as home décor, apparel, purses, shopping bags, backpacks, accessories, and so much more! It’s easy to care for, too: just toss it in the washing machine on a warm setting and tumble it dry on low. Promptly remove the fabric from the dryer and it will look at good as new, if not better! According to the reviews that we read on Amazon, most of the customers who purchased and used this denim fabric were very pleased with it. They said that it was sturdy, easy to work with, and had a great softness and color. However, there were a few conflicting reviews, as a couple of customers said that the navy color faded after washing it. Do make sure that you follow the care instructions to avoid issues.

What We Like About It

  • Made of 100 percent cotton
  • 60 inches wide
  • Sold in 5 yard bolts
  • Machine washable and dryable for easy care
  • Easy to work with
  • Very sturdy
  • Features a dark navy color
  • Most customers are very pleased with the quality of the fabric

Reasons to Complain

  • There were a couple of users who said that the fabric faded after a few washes

Final Verdict: Overall, we were very impressed with the Chicago Canvas 5 Yard Bolt of 60 inch Denim Cotton Fabric in 100 Percent Cotton. We love how durable, yet soft it is, and we were also liked the dark navy color.

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2. Robert Kaufman Denim 8 oz Light Indigo Washed Denim Fabric

Robert Kaufman Kaufman Denim 8 oz. Light Indigo Washed Product Image

Next up on our list of the best denim and chambray fabrics is a material that comes from Robert Kaufman. This material is also made of 100 percent cotton, so you know that it’s soft, breathable, durable, and easy to care for. If you’re using this fabric to make your own jeans, to make a denim jacket, or to make anything else you can think of, the light indigo wash is a classic color that will work with virtually any style.

This fabric is 50 inches wide and it is sold by the yard and cut to order, so you will have plenty of material to work with. To care for this denim, simply toss it in the washing machine and wash on a cold setting and then tumble it dry on a low setting. We didn’t have any issues with caring for it, and we found that it stood up really well to washing and regular wear and tear. The reviews that we read are very positive; the majority of the customers who have used this denim fabric are quite pleased with it. They noted that the material is sturdy enough to stand up to rugged wear, yet it’s soft enough so that it won’t cause any irritations. They also said that it was the perfect option for making a variety of projects, such as jeans, handbags, and even baby bibs! There were a few customers who said that they found that the denim was a little bit scratchy, but we didn’t find that to be the case at all.

What We Like About It

  • Made of 100 percent cotton
  • Lightweight, yet durable
  • Easy to work with
  • Easy to care for; machine wash in cold water and tumble dry on a low setting
  • The fabric is 58 inches wide and sold by the yard
  • It’s cut to order, so you’ll get the exact amount that you need
  • Most customers are very pleased with the fabric

Reasons to Complain

  • Some customers said that they found that the material was a bit scratchy, but we didn’t find that to be the case at all

Final Verdict: If you’re looking for a classic denim fabric, then this option from Robert Kaufman is a great choice. You can’t get much more classic than the light indigo wash of this material, and the sturdiness, yet softness of the material is perfect for a variety of projects.

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3. TELIO 4.8 oz Denim Chambray Dark Blue Fabric by The Yard

TELIO 4.8 oz Denim Chambray Dark Blue Fabric by The Yard Product Image

If you’re on the market for a truly affordable, yet high quality denim fabric, then this option from TELIO is a great choice. It’s dark blue in color, making it the perfect material for a great pair of hand-crafted dungarees or a denim jacket. Use an embroidery machine and some embroidery thread and floss to add a beautiful design to the material to really make a one-of-a-kind statement piece. However you plan on using this material, it will most certainly create a beautiful piece.

This denim fabric is constructed of sturdy, yet breathable cotton and is very easy to care for. The care instructions for this material include machine washing in cold water and tumbling dry on a low setting. Do note though, because of the dark color of this material that it is recommended that you wash it before wearing, otherwise it might leave some staining behind. The material measures 60 inches wide and is sold by the yard and cut to order, so you will get the exact amount that you need. The reviews that we read were a bit conflicting. The majority of the customers who used this product were very pleased with the construction and color; however, others said that they weren’t pleased with the fading. We did note that there was a bit of fading after washing, but given the very dark blue color, that is to be expected.

What We Like About It

  • Made of 100 percent cotton
  • Sold by the yard and cut to order
  • 60 inches wide
  • Durable
  • Breathable
  • Easy to care for
  • It’s a classic dark blue color

Reasons to Complain

  • The color does fade a bit with washing
  • It can cause a bit of staining, so washing it before using is recommended

Final Verdict: This Denim Chambray Fabric in Dark Blue by TELIO is an affordable, sturdy, and beautiful material. It’s easy to care for and easy to use; however, do expect to see some fading after washing.

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4. Robert Kaufman Denim 10 Oz Fabric Indigo Washed Fabric by the Yard

Robert Kaufman Denim 10 oz. Fabric, Indigo Washed Product Image

We were so impressed with Robert Kaufman’s denim fabric that we decided to feature another option from this manufacturer to our list of the best denim and chambray fabric reviews. This option is a classic indigo color, making it ideal for use for virtually any project you can think of; jeans, jackets, blazers, and even heavy-weight shirts. It’s made of 100 percent cotton and is very sturdy, yet breathable.

This denim material measures 58 inches wide and is sold by the yard. The fabric is cut to order, too, so you will get the exact amount that you need. Care is very easy, too; the material can be machine washed with cold water and tumbled dry on a low setting. Based on the reviews that we read, most customers who have worked with this denim are very pleased with it. Customers said that they loved how sturdy the material is and stated that it really stood up to heavy use. However, there were some complaints about the color; some customers noted that the color is a lighter in person than it appeared to be in the pictures. We found that it was exactly the color that we expected it to be.

What We Like About It

  • Made of 100 percent cotton
  • 56 inches wide
  • Sold by the yard and cut to order
  • Easy to use
  • Sturdy
  • Breathable
  • Easy to care for; machine wash with cold water and tumble dry on a low setting
  • Most customers are very pleased with the quality of the fabric

Reasons to Complain

  • Some users said that the fabric was lighter than they expected it to be

Final Verdict: Overall, we were very impressed with this denim fabric by Robert Kaufman. We really liked the durability of the material and the classic indigo wash.

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5. James Thompson & Co 10 oz Bull Denim White

James Thompson & Co. 10 oz. Bull Denim White Product Image

If you are looking for a denim fabric that is different from your standard dark blue or indigo wash, then this option from James Thompson & Co is a great choice. The color is brilliant white, so it really stands out and will create a unique look for whatever project you plan on using it for. It’s great for a pair of summer jeans, a summer jacket, or a unique backpack. Add some fabric stud and gem setters or some iron-on transfers to the material to really make it your own. Made of 100 percent cotton, this fabric is very durable, yet breathable and it can easily withstand regular wear and tear. Caring for it is easy, too; just toss is in the washing machine and wash in cold water, then tumble it dry on a low setting.

This denim fabric is 60 inches wide and sold by the yard. The material is cut to order, so you will get the exact amount that you need. Based on most of the reviews that we read, the majority of customers who have used this denim fabric are very pleased with it; however, some users did note that it seemed to shrink a bit after washing. With that said, make sure that you are washing and drying the material on the right setting; if you wash it in warm or hot water and dry it on a high setting, there is certainly a chance of shrinkage.

What We Like About It

  • Made of 100 percent cotton
  • 60 inches wide
  • Dyed a brilliant white color
  • Easy to care for; machine wash in cold water and tumble dry on a low setting
  • Sold by the yard and cut to order
  • Most customers are very pleased with the fabric

Reasons to Complain

  • There were some complaints about the denim shrinking, but that is likely because the care instructions weren’t followed.

Final Verdict: For a unique take on fabric, James Thompson & Co Bull Denim Fabric in white is a great choice. The brilliant white color definitely makes a statement, and the durability of the fabric means that it will last a long time.

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The Best Denim and Chambray Fabric: A Buyer’s Guide

Denim and chambray are essential sewing fabrics that every seamstress should have on-hand. These materials are most commonly used to make pants, but they can be used for a variety of other projects, too. All you need is a little imagination and you can use these materials to make anything you would like!

Denim and Chambray: What’s the Difference?

Denim and chambray have a similar appearance and share some of the same qualities; for instance, both are durable and easy to work with, and they are both made by weaving together cotton fibers. However, there are some differences between these two materials; and the main difference is the construction.

Denim is made with a twill weave, while chambray is made using a plain weave. As a result of these techniques, denim tends to be thicker and sturdier than chambray, while chambray is lighter in weight.

Uses for Denim and Chambray

There are so many different projects that denim and chambray can be used for. Below, we share some of the different ways that you can use these two beloved materials:

Chambray

  • Shirts
  • Dresses (pull out a dress form and use this fabric to make a casual or even a formal dress)
  • Blazers
  • Lightweight pants
  • Skirts
  • Drapery

Denim

  • Pants, most notably jeans
  • Shorts
  • Jackets
  • Blazers
  • Shirts (yes, you can certainly make shirts out of denim!)
  • Backpacks
  • Shopping bags
  • Purses
  • Wallets
  • Headbands
  • Braided rugs
  • Bracelets
  • Necklaces

As you can see, both materials can be used in a myriad of ways. All you need is a little imagination and you can create a variety of unique projects with denim and chambray.

Recommended Reading: Best Sewing Machine for Denim Fabrics

Denim Fabric Review Conclusion

If you’re looking for a denim or chambray fabric for your sewing projects, you’ll certainly be impressed with any of the options that are featured on our list. Each one is well-constructed, easy to work with, easy to care for, and has received outstanding reviews from customers who have worked with them. Whether you are looking to make a jacket, shirt, dress, coat, blazer, pants, a bag, or anything else, you will be able to craft virtually anything you can think of with these denim and chambray fabrics.

Whether you’ve just picked up sewing and you’re trying to perfect your craft with some sewing help books, or you are the master of a sewing machine and can easily sew a straight line with your eyes closed, there are several items that you are going to want to have on-hand in your sewing room. While hand sewing needles, needles for your sewing machine, and threads are some of the basic sewing essentials that you’ll definitely want to have available, there’s something else that you are going to want to have plenty of: sewing fabric. After all, without fabric, you really can’t create much, now can you?

Sources:

Garment Merchandising

Wikipedia

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