Modal fabric has become a popular material in the textile industry, known for its softness and durability. If you are looking to purchase this fabric in the UK, it is important to know where to find high-quality options and what to look for. This guide provides detailed information on what modal fabric is, its benefits, and a list of reliable retailers in the UK.
Modal is a semi-synthetic cellulose fiber made by spinning reconstituted cellulose from beech trees. It is a type of rayon, but it has specific properties that distinguish it, such as high wet strength and exceptional softness. The production process involves treating the beech wood pulp with chemicals, which is then spun into a soft, sturdy fiber. This process gives modal its characteristic smooth feel and excellent draping qualities, making it a preferred choice for clothing and home textiles.
The appeal of modal fabric comes from its blend of desirable properties. It is breathable, absorbent, and resistant to shrinkage and pilling. These characteristics make it a practical material for everyday wear and items that require frequent washing. Understanding these features will help you appreciate its value and make informed purchasing decisions.
Why Choose Modal Fabric?
When selecting textiles, modal offers distinct advantages over other common fabrics like cotton and viscose. Its unique combination of comfort, performance, and durability makes it a superior choice for many applications.
Key Advantages:
- Exceptional Softness: Modal is well-known for its silky-smooth texture, which feels gentle against the skin. This makes it ideal for items that come in close contact with the body, such as underwear, sleepwear, and t-shirts.
- High Absorbency: Modal is about 50% more absorbent than cotton. This moisture-wicking property helps to keep the skin dry and comfortable, making it suitable for activewear and bedding.
- Breathability: The fabric’s structure allows air to circulate, which helps regulate body temperature. This breathability adds to the comfort, especially in warmer climates or during physical activity.
- Durability and Strength: Modal maintains its strength even when wet, unlike many other rayon fabrics. It is also resistant to pilling, so garments made from modal maintain their appearance after multiple washes.
- Color Retention: The fibers hold dye well, resulting in vibrant, long-lasting colors that do not fade easily with washing. This ensures that your garments look new for a longer period.
- Drape and Fit: Modal drapes beautifully, creating a flattering silhouette. It also blends well with other fibers like cotton and spandex to enhance the fabric’s properties, adding stretch and structure.
These benefits make modal a versatile and high-performing fabric suitable for a wide range of products, from fashion apparel to household textiles.
Top Retailers for Modal Fabric in the UK
Finding reliable suppliers is essential for purchasing quality modal fabric. Here is a list of top online and physical stores in the UK where you can find a good selection of modal fabrics.
Online Retailers
Online stores provide a convenient way to access a wide variety of fabrics from anywhere in the country.
1. Fabriclore
Fabriclore is a leading online supplier that offers an extensive collection of modal fabrics. They are known for providing high-quality, customized fabric solutions to fashion businesses and individual creators. Fabriclore’s platform simplifies the sourcing process, offering customized design, dyeing, and printing services at low minimum order quantities (MOQ). They are a trusted partner for numerous fashion brands due to their reliable service and commitment to quality. Their selection includes pure modal as well as blends with cotton, silk, and other fibers, catering to diverse project needs.
2. The Fabric Godmother
This online retailer is a favorite among sewing enthusiasts in the UK. The Fabric Godmother stocks a curated selection of dressmaking fabrics, including high-quality modal and modal blend jerseys. They focus on providing materials that are on-trend and suitable for contemporary fashion projects.
3. Sew Me Sunshine
Sew Me Sunshine is another popular online store that specializes in modern dressmaking fabrics. They offer a range of modal jersey knits in various prints and solid colors. The store is known for its personal service and a carefully selected inventory that appeals to home sewers.
4. Lamazi Fabrics
Based in the UK, Lamazi Fabrics stocks a unique and high-quality range of materials from European designers. Their collection often includes modal and TENCEL™ Modal fabrics, which are perfect for creating stylish and comfortable garments.
Physical Stores
For those who prefer to see and feel the fabric before buying, several physical stores across the UK offer modal fabrics.
1. John Lewis
John Lewis & Partners has a well-regarded haberdashery department in many of its larger stores. They stock a variety of dressmaking fabrics, and you can often find modal blends, particularly jerseys, suitable for a range of clothing projects.
2. Liberty London
While famous for its iconic Tana Lawn cotton, Liberty also offers other high-end fabrics. It is worth checking their selection for premium modal or modal blend materials, especially if you are looking for designer-quality textiles for a special project.
3. Local Haberdashery Shops
Independent fabric stores in your local area are valuable resources. These shops often have knowledgeable staff who can provide advice and may stock modal fabrics from various suppliers. Building a relationship with a local retailer can be very beneficial for your sewing and crafting needs.
How to Identify Quality Modal Fabric
When purchasing modal, it’s important to ensure you are getting a genuine, high-quality product. Here are some tips to help you identify the quality of the fabric:
- Check the Label: The most reliable way to confirm you are buying modal is to check the fabric composition label. It should clearly state “modal” or “TENCEL™ Modal.” Be aware of blends; a label might say “modal blend,” indicating it is mixed with other fibers like cotton or spandex.
- Feel the Texture: High-quality modal has a distinctively smooth, silky feel. It should feel soft and cool to the touch. If the fabric feels rough or stiff, it may be a lower-quality version or a different material altogether.
- Assess the Drape: One of modal’s key characteristics is its beautiful drape. Hold the fabric up and see how it falls. It should hang in fluid, graceful folds. A stiff or rigid drape suggests it might not be pure, high-quality modal.
- Look for Reputable Brands: TENCEL™ is a brand name for modal produced by the Austrian company Lenzing AG. TENCEL™ Modal is known for its environmentally responsible production process. Fabrics carrying the TENCEL™ brand are a reliable indicator of quality and sustainability.
- Ask the Retailer: Do not hesitate to ask the retailer for information about the fabric’s origin and manufacturer. Reputable sellers, such as Fabriclore, will be transparent about their products and can provide you with the details you need to make a confident purchase.
Sustainable Modal Fabric Options
For those interested in environmentally friendly textiles, modal offers a sustainable choice. The production of modal from beech trees is generally more eco-friendly than that of other fabrics. Beech trees are a renewable resource that requires less water than cotton.
When looking for the most sustainable options, seek out TENCEL™ Modal. Lenzing AG’s process is particularly noted for its closed-loop system, where up to 95% of the production materials are recovered and recycled. This significantly reduces the environmental impact. Many of the retailers mentioned, including Fabriclore, prioritize offering sustainable fabric choices and can guide you toward their eco-friendly collections.
Your Go-To for Modal Fabric
Modal fabric offers an excellent combination of softness, durability, and sustainability, making it a valuable material for clothing and home textiles. Knowing its properties and where to find it in the UK allows you to incorporate this high-quality fabric into your projects with confidence.
For a reliable and extensive selection, online retailers like Fabriclore provide a streamlined sourcing experience with customization options. Whether you are a fashion brand or an individual creator, they offer the quality and service needed to meet your fabric requirements. By following the tips provided, you can ensure you are purchasing genuine, high-quality modal that will bring comfort and longevity to your creations.
Fabriclore showcases five main types of modal fabric categories on this page: geometric and textured modal, satin and silk modal, blended modal, premium Lenzing modal, and innovative/unique modal fabrics. Within these five buckets, the range includes options like modal geometric dobby, heavy muslin blends, Bemberg x modal satin, cotton–modal blends, Lenzing modal satin, lurex-infused modal, and other specialty constructions aimed at different drape, texture, and luxury levels.
Fabriclore is a leading B2B fabric sourcing platform dedicated to empowering fashion designers, apparel manufacturers, and clothing brands worldwide. With 10+ years of experience in the textile industry, we have built a trusted network that connects creativity with high-quality fabrics, ensuring seamless and efficient sourcing for every scale of production.
Our extensive collection includes natural fibers like cotton fabric, linen fabric, and silk fabric; man-made fibers such as viscose and polyester; along with sustainable options like LENZING™, LIVA™, BEMBERG™ Cupro, and organic cotton.
We offer four key services tailored to meet every design and production need:
- Dyeable Fabric – Woven RFD & greige, sustainable, and knitted fabrics.
- Dyed Fabric – Mill dyed, yarn dyed, Schiffli, and denim fabrics.
- Made To Order – Digital printing, screen printing, block printing, and dyeing solutions.
- Ready Stock – Block, screen, Ikat, tweed, and jacquard fabrics.
Explore our diverse range of custom-printed, ready mill-dyed, and yarn-dyed fabrics to find the perfect match for your next collection.
For personalized assistance or inquiries, reach out to us at hello@fabriclore.com.
Experience seamless, authentic, and affordable fabric sourcing with Fabriclore — your trusted partner with over a decade of expertise in the global textile industry.
