Our Exclusive Fabrics

Our exclusive fabric ranges are the fabrics that we have milled especially for our stores, using natural fibres and our unique evolving palette of TFS colours!
We work with a handful of trusted companies to perfect these fabric ranges, and have developed these supply relationships with care and respect over many years. To ensure ongoing traceability and transparency, we ensure each partnership is founded on a clear understanding of our code of conduct, certification requirements, and the free flow of information regarding ethical manufacturing processes and locations. The quantity of milled fabrics we have available at any one time varies depending on the season, the speed of freight to our part of the world, the cost of raw materials, certification availability and many other factors.

To learn more about each exclusive fabric range, simply select from the buttons below to reveal supply chain information, certifications, inspiration and colour availability.

Zqmerino

ZQ Premium Merino


Did you know that merino is one of the world’s oldest breeds of sheep, originating in Spain as far back as the 12th century?! Merino sheep produce extremely fine and soft wool, making fabric that is breathable, moisture-wicking and suitable for all seasons as well as a huge variety of uses.

To create our ZQ Premium Merino, superfine merino fibre is spun into a single twist yarn, creating a slightly textural fabric with naturally occurring slubs throughout. The single jersey knit structure gives this fabric mechanical stretch and great drape. Beautifully soft, merino jersey is ideal for all seasons and perfect for next-to-skin basics and layering. Our ZQ Premium Merino range is ethically made and includes a spectrum of over 35 beautiful exclusive colours, which we refine and add to regularly.

ZQ Merino Hand MG 0645
ZQ Merino Lake Ohau Station April 19 58

Our ZQ Partnership

We’re proud to partner with ZQ to produce our 200gsm Premium Merino range. World leaders for ethical wool, ZQ represents the wool of choice for world-class brands and stands for quality, sustainability and connection, from the merino farmers, to our Vietnamese production facilities and through to our community of sewists.

This partnership with ZQ allows us here at The Fabric Store to trace our merino right back to its source farms, connecting us to the values, vision, and ethical farming systems that went into its production. Considered guardians of the environment, each of these farms maintains individual long-term supply contracts with ZQ. These contracts provide sustainable wool price-points for farmers, meaning they are able to produce fit-for-purpose fibre, be recognised for their values and ethical farming systems, and have income stability. We love that these ZQ contracts give us the certainty that our merino is consistent in fibre quality, traceable to source, meets environmental sustainability benchmarks and adheres to animal welfare and social responsibilities.

Three vanilla merino papercut rise turtleneck side
Merino fibre 2

Origins + Transparency

Our ZQ Premium Merino range is milled for us by a heritage company, originally based in New Zealand and now located in Nam Dinh City, Vietnam, with over 50 years in the business. We have a long and trusting relationship with this mill, which is a Bluesign System Partner and provides a MAPP performance guarantee. This company also adheres to social accountability practices based on the Social Accountability International SA8000 Standard, which provides safety and well-being standards for workers. These include safe workplaces and healthy working conditions, a living wage, an increased awareness of worker rights as well as enhanced relationships with management and more input in workplace decision-making. The company’s health and safety practices also adhere to the local government requirements of both office and production sites.

Before it arrives in our New Zealand HQ as sew-ready fabric, our ZQ Premium Merino wool production cycle is sectioned into four key stages, with facilities located in the areas below.

Sheep + Fleece — Merino stations and farms across New Zealand
Scouring, Combing + Topmaking — Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province, China
Spinning — Dalat City and Nam Dinh City, Vietnam
Knitting — Nam Dinh City, Vietnam

The resulting ZQ Premium Merino fabric from these partnerships is a super-soft 100% merino, 18.9 micron single jersey knit at 200gsm, certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100. We know you will love it!

Poppy ZQ Merino
SQ MG 3706
Gen Merino Fash Rev

Merino Uses

Our ZQ Premium Merino jersey has SO many uses!
We love merino for so many reasons, especially its versatility and hypoallergenic properties, making it the perfect choice for babies and anyone with sensitive skin.
Our customers use ZQ Premium Merino jersey for everything from sportswear and outdoor insulating garments, clothes and accessories for babies and children, to a range of fashion and lifestyle garments such as dresses, tops and layering pieces. This single jersey range is 18.9 micron, 200gsm (6oz) and a handy 150cm wide. It's also machine washable, hooray!

We have loads of fabulous ideas for merino over on the blog, including pattern reviews, DIY projects and fabric guides. Check out merino on the blog here!

Exclusive Colours

Our ZQ Premium Merino fabric range includes a extensive palette of beautiful colours, including essential neutrals, playful brights and delightful jewel tones. Our retail stores and Online Store generally stock the entire colour range, and we recommend checking in for specific colour availability if you are after something in particular.

ZQ Premium Merino | 18.9 micron | 200gsm | 150cm wide

Gotscotton

Organic Cotton


Our certified Organic Cotton Sweatshirting + Rib is produced within a transparent low-impact supply chain and is available in stores and online. We’re proud to say that these exclusive Organic Cotton ranges are fully certified by the independent auditing body Control Union [1146287]. Our Organic Cotton Sweatshirting + Rib ranges are also accredited to OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and are manufactured within the Bluesign system.

Sq Vanilla Cloud Set Front
SQ Stack GOTS Organic Cotton Ribbing Sweatshirting
Pink Detail Sq

Why Choose Organic Cotton?

There are so many reasons why organic cotton is preferable to conventional cotton. One of the biggest factors is that organic cotton uses far less resources! Global conventional cotton production requires over 250 billion tons of water annually. In comparison, organic cotton uses more than 90% less water, as well as much lower energy and far less CO2 emissions.

Organic cotton growing also uses only organic-approved fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides from plants, animals and minerals, decreasing your likelihood of exposure to unhealthy chemicals, as well as protecting farmers and workers, and their lands within the cotton production system.

MG 3622
Forest Cloud Front Sq

Origin + Transparency

All of the mills involved in the making of our Organic Cotton ranges have accreditations for Bluesign, FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and OEKO-Tex Standard 100. Check out the locations for various stages of the cotton journey below:

Raw Cotton Growing + Ginning — Izmir, on Turkey’s Aegean coast
Spinning — Denizli, on Turkey’s Aegean coast
Knitting — Izmir, on Turkey’s Aegean coast
Dyeing + Finishing — Marmara Ereğlisi, in the Turkish province of Tekirdağ

Sq Lilac Detail
Sq Lilac Front

Uses + Exclusive Colours

Our Organic Cotton comes in two styles — Organic Sweatshirting and matching Rib. Our sweatshirting is a ultra-cosy heavyweight knit at 320gsm in weight, with a smooth face and fluffy fleece reverse. It's a breathable fabric made with 100% natural cotton, featuring a matt opaque finish and minimal mechanical stretch.
Our rib is 335gsm in weight and 130cm wide (non-tubular). This 100% cotton rib has been knitted with a 3x1 face and a 1x1 reverse, creating a flatter finish on the reverse and ribbed face. This clever structure gives the rib extra stability and density, creating a fully opaque fabric with a subtle natural stretch across the width, a dry hand feel and matt finish. Check out the colours available below! Our retail stores generally stock the entire colour range, and we recommend checking in for specific colour availability if you are after something in particular.

Organic Cotton Sweatshirting | 320gsm | 175cm wide

Organic Cotton Rib | 335gsm | 126cm wide

Gotslinen

Organic Linen


Our certified Organic Linen is a bouncy midweight linen, with a smooth aero-finish, earthy handle and beautiful depth of colour. Similar to our Vintage Finish Linen range, it’s a wonderfully versatile weight at 160gsm, suitable for a large variety of projects from shirts, shorts, dresses, skirts, to homewares and accessories!

This new Organic Linen range is certified organic with independent auditing by Control Union [1146287]. This organic certification covers so much more than the ecological requirements of organic status. It’s wide-ranging social criteria audits common supply chain issues including child labour, modern day slavery, freedom of association and collective bargaining, occupational health and safety, fair remuneration and migrant worker rights.

MG 6823
GOTS Organic Linen

Origins + Transparency


We work with a company based in China to produce this collection. We chose them to produce this range based on an existing, trusted relationship purchasing designer deadstock fabrics, as they also mill fabrics for a number of high-end ready-to-wear fashion brands based in New York and Europe. Our Organic Linen is made with certified European Flax sourced from Crosville La Vieille in northern France, and carries OEKO-Tex Standard 100 certification. It’s processing and weaving takes place in mills within China’s Heilong Jiang and Jiangsu provinces respectively. All mills are ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Harmful Chemicals) and FLA (Fair Labour Association) accredited.

SQ Helena Dress Just Patterns Lilac Organic Linen The Fabric Store
MG 5550

Organic Linen Uses + Exclusive Colours

Our certified Organic Linens are plain weave, non-stretch, woven fabrics with subtle, naturally occurring slubs throughout. As well as being super easy to sew, linen fabric has a lovely earthy feel, starting off crisp but softening beautifully in time with wash and wear, and these Organic Linens are a true testament to this!

Like our Vintage Finish range, they're machine washable and easy care, making them ideal for a wide variety of sewing projects including tops, dresses, loose-fitting pants, skirts and shorts, as well as lightweight soft furnishings such as tea towels, table cloths and pillowcases. Over on our blog you'll find loads of Organic Linen sewing inspiration, including our popular Sparrow Set and Ivy Dress patterns.

100% Organic Linen | 160gsm | 139cm wide

Gotshemp2

Organic Hemp


We’re delighted to welcome our first four colours in our exclusive Organic Hemp range - Kale, Rye, Buckwheat and Pink Salt! We’ve been working on this project behind the scenes for quite some time, having partnered with our long-term linen supplier to perfect the handle and finish of this beautiful new certified organic fabric. Our Organic Hemp range is accredited to OEKO-TEX Standard 100 - a worldwide, independent testing and certification system for textile products at all processing levels.

Anthea Blouse Kale Hemp Fabric
Hemp Stack
Hemp Pink Salt

Why choose Hemp?


One of the most eco-friendly aspects of hemp is that it uses very little water, about 1/20th of the amount of water it takes to grow cotton and can often be rain-fed. Hemp can grow in almost all soil conditions, and unlike cotton (which depletes the soil of nutrients) hemp’s deep-reaching roots preserve the topsoil and subsoil. Hemp plants grow densely as well, leaving no room for weeds and competing plants and is less vulnerable to insects, which means little to no use of pesticides.

Hemp Rye
Hemp Binding

Origins + Transparency


Processing stages for hemp fibre growing and harvesting, retting, scutching, spinning and weaving are all located in Hei Longjiang Province, Northern China. Dyeing is handled in Jiangsu Province, North of Shanghai. These factories are socially accredited by BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative), ISO9001 and FLA (Fair Labor Association). They also carry environmental accreditations ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) and OEKO-TEX.

Close Neck Kale Organic Hemp Anna Allen Anthea Blouse by The Fabric Store
SQ Pink Salt Hemp Puff Sleeve Ivy Dress Make by TFS The Fabric Store

Hemp Uses + Exclusive Colours


Our Organic Hemp fabrics are plain weave, yarn-dyed wovens, with naturally occurring slubs throughout. These beautiful fabrics are non-stretch and opaque with a matt finish fabric and light bouncy handle. The pure hemp yarn creates an all-over heathered look with a delightful flecked finish and soft granular texture. Not unlike linen, the beauty of hemp is that it grows softer and softer with wear and care. One of the best things about this fabric is its versatility! Hemp’s natural UV resistance, antibacterial and breathability properties make it a perfect option for an array of garments. Think go-to dresses like the Ivy, billowy blouses and shirts like the Bloom, as well as all manner of homeware pieces. Head over to the blog for hemp sewing inspo!

Our Organic Hemp fabric range currently includes four beautiful colours, Pink Salt, Kale, Rye and Buckwheat. Our retail stores and Online Store generally stock all colours, and we recommend checking in for specific colour availability if you are after something in particular.

Organic Hemp | 170gsm | 143cm wide

Upcycled cotton

Upcycled Cotton


We are so proud to be stockists for The New Denim Project - a range of fabrics produced within a completely circular model, created by third generation family-owned textile mill in Guatemala. A circular system is restorative and regenerative by design, aiming to keep materials and components at their highest form of use and value at all times. These incredible denim, twill and chambray fabrics are biodegradable and are entirely created from upcycled post-industrial textile waste.

SQ Mixed Upcycled Cotton Stripe rolls
SQ Hand TYTKA Triangular Foldable Tote Pumice Speckle Upcycled Cotton
Denim

The Upcycling Process + Origins


The New Denim Project create this range of woven fabrics by collecting and sorting post-industrial cotton waste from local garment factories and grounding these scraps back into fibre. These fibres are then spun into new yarns again, to weave and upcycle into the collection of upcycled cotton fabrics you'll see in our stores. Isn't that incredible?!
The cottonseed and lint from their upcycling process is then passed on to coffee-growers, Finca San Jeronimo Miramar, to use as compost to cultivate specialty coffee in the highlands of Guatemala. Upcycling this waste back into local production systems, maintains it as a reusable and valuable resource, serving as food for new organisms. Yum!
The upcycling process minimises water and energy consumption and uses no dyes, chemicals or synthetic fibres. The lack of dyeing gives these fabrics a truely special finish which we love. You'll see a little speckle of history visible in the texture and colours of these fabric, particularly the denims!

The New Denim Project IMG Scraps4
The New Denim Project
Screen Shot 2022 03 31 at 3 11 59 PM

What is Circularity?

A circular textiles system is one that is both restorative and regenerative by design, aiming to keep materials and components at their highest form of use and value at all times. In a circular system, natural fibres are enhanced and their yields optimised, and existing materials to be given more value, not less. Think of it as a continuous positive design and development circle! Circular systems are essential to minimising the environmental impact and decrease the amount of waste that goes into landfills.

Learn more about how The New Denim Project approach circularity here.

" Circularity is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary, guiding us in changing our practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become valuable resources for others to use " TNDP
The New Denim Project IMG Cottonseed
SQ Front Liberty Soften Studio Ora Pinafore Natural Upcycled Cotton

Our Range + Care Guidelines

Available in our retail stores and online are five beautiful heavyweight denims in an array of modern shades, four ultra-classic vertically striped chambrays, a plain chambray and two lightweight cotton twills. These easy-care, machine washable fabrics are a dream choice for any denim lover and are ideal for everyday wear.

When laundering these Upcycled Cotton fabrics, use a gentle detergent and cold water cycle, washing colour separately and taking to dry them in the shade. Because these fabrics are not dyed again during in the upcycling process, natural fading is likely to occur over time and with sun/light exposure. The nature of this upcycling process means that textural irregularities and slubs may also be found throughout this fabric. These characteristics are a unique result of this special upcycling process and are not considered to be defects. To help your garments retain their colour, it also helps to wash them inside out! These fabrics are also drycleanable, if you wish to do so, and a warm/hot iron can be used on a cotton setting for pressing.

Heavyweight Denim | 100% Upcycled Cotton

Lightweight Chambray | 100% Upcycled Cotton

Lightweight Cotton Twill | 100% Upcycled Cotton

Vflinen

Vintage Finish Linen

Our Vintage Finish Linens feature a uniquely ‘worn-in’ look and super soft handle. This finish is achieved through careful selection of Belgian-origin flax fibres, a specialised spinning process and a cold-pad batch dyeing system, certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100.

The OEKO-Tex Standard 100 is a worldwide consistent, independent testing and certification system for raw, semi-finished, and finished textile products at all processing levels. OEKO-TEX tests for harmful substances from a consumer's point of view, based on the respective purpose of the material or textile. OEKO-TEX testing ensures that these fabrics are free of harmful substances such as Azo colourants, formaldehyde, pentachlorophenol (to name a few), as well as a number of harmful chemicals that have not yet been legally regulated. For more information visit their website: https://www.oeko-tex.com/

New Vintage Finish Colours Hero

Origins + Transparency

We work with a company based in Hong Kong to produce this collection. We chose them to produce this range based on an existing, trusted relationship purchasing designer deadstock fabrics, as they also mill fabrics for a number of high-end ready-to-wear fashion brands based in New York and Europe. Our Vintage Finish Linens are milled in Harbin (Northern China) and dyed in Zhejiang, by a cold-pad batch dyeing method which requires far less water usage and energy consumption, no salts or humectants and no bio-polishing. This is a slower process with smaller dye batches per colour, allowing the mill a greater degree of control and accuracy.

MG 2480
SQ ivy dress 20 front

Linen Uses

Our Vintage Finish Linens are ultra-soft, non-stretch, plain weave woven fabrics with a lovely earthy feel and subtle, naturally occurring slubs throughout. They're machine washable and easy care, making them ideal for a wide variety of sewing projects including tops, dresses, loose-fitting pants, skirts and shorts, as well as lightweight soft furnishings such as tea towels, table cloths and pillowcases. Over on our blog you'll find loads of Vintage Finish inspiration, including our popular Make by TFS Lucie Robe, Bloom Shirt and Ivy Dress patterns!

VB Side
SQ Bloom Shirt Collar
MG 2676

Exclusive Colours


We're slowly converting our Vintage Finish Linen range over to Organic Linen! In the meantime, selected exclusive Vintage Finish colours are still available in stores and online, check out some of the remaining palette below. Don't forget to call ahead if you are after a particular shade!

100% Vintage Finish Linen | 160gsm | 132cm wide

Hwlinen

Heavyweight Linen


Our classic Heavyweight Linen range is a popular heavy weight alternative to our lighter milled linen ranges, offered in many of the same colours. At 265gsm, it's a luxurious heavy weight and has an earthy textural finish, softening beautifully over time!

Cass shorts linen close
MG 1426

Origins + Transparency


Our classic Heavyweight Linen range is produced by a family-owned company based in Hong Kong, with yarns spun from certified European Flax fibres and milling taking place in Jiangsu, north of Shanghai. We have a long and trusting supply relationship with this mill, which is the same mill we work with to make our Gingham Linen ranges. This range is BSCI compliant and OEKO-Tex Standard 100 certified.

MG 2772
August skirt detail

Exclusive Colours + Uses


Heavyweight Linen is perfect for jackets, pants and skirts or homeware projects such as aprons, tea towels, cushions and soft furnishings! Check out the variety of exclusive colours available in this range below. Our retail stores generally stock the entire colour range, and we recommend checking in for specific colour availability if you are after something in particular.

100% Heavyweight Linen | 265gsm | 135cm wide

Ginghamlinen

Gingham Linen


Our popular Gingham Linen is a range of lightweight 100% linen fabrics, made from European Flax certified yarn creating a lovely earthy feel, with subtle, naturally occurring slubs throughout. The yarn-dyed gingham pattern comes in a small gingham and a bold gingham style, and is made up of a white and coloured warp and weft, which combine to create a gingham style rectangular check.

Large VB gingham scrunch
SQ MG 9994
Bloom Shirt Collar Detail Olive Gingham Linen

Origins + Transparency


Our classic Gingham Linen range is produced by a family-owned company based in Hong Kong, with yarns spun from certified European Flax fibres and milling taking place in Jiangsu, north of Shanghai. We have a long and trusting supply relationship with this mill, which is the same mill we work with to make our Heavyweight Linen ranges. This range is BSCI compliant and OEKO-Tex Standard 100 certified.

SQ front Amy Dress Paper Doll Patterns Olive Gingham Linen Fabric By The Fabric Store
Gingham Rolls
Sq ucie Robe Make by TFS Pattern D Close Detail

Exclusive Colours + Uses

These non-stretch gingham linen fabrics are great for a wide variety of projects including tops, dresses, loose-fitting skirts, shorts, trousers and jumpsuits as well as some lightweight soft furnishings. They're a playful way to add colour into the wardrobe for the whole family! A range of exclusive colours are available in Gingham Linen, view them below. Our retail stores generally stock the entire colour range, and we recommend checking in for specific colour availability if you are after something in particular.

Gingham 100% Linen | 147gsm | 140cm wide

Bold Gingham 100% Linen | 140gsm | 140cm wide

© the Fabric Store
Location — New Zealand