Finding the right material is a critical first step for any design project. Modal fabric, known for its exceptional softness and durability, has become a popular choice for clothing and home textiles. Its smooth feel and eco-friendly properties make it a sought-after material for designers and hobbyists alike. If you’re looking for where to buy fabric online, specifically modal fabric by the yard in the UK, this guide will provide a straightforward overview of your best options.
We will cover what modal fabric is, its benefits, and the key factors to consider before making a purchase. Most importantly, we’ll list the top retailers, including leading wholesale fabric supplier options, to help you source high-quality modal for your next project.
What is Modal Fabric?
Modal fabric is a type of rayon, a semi-synthetic textile made by spinning reconstituted cellulose, typically from beech trees. The production process is environmentally conscious, using a closed-loop system that recycles water and solvents. This makes modal a more sustainable choice compared to other materials.
The fabric is recognized for its silk-like softness, breathability, and resistance to shrinking and pilling. It drapes beautifully, which makes it ideal for clothing such as dresses, tops, and loungewear. Its ability to absorb dye well results in deep, vibrant colors that remain bright even after repeated washing.
Benefits of Using Modal Fabric
Choosing modal fabric for your projects comes with several key advantages:
- Exceptional Softness: Modal is incredibly soft to the touch, often compared to silk or high-quality cotton. This makes it comfortable for items worn close to the skin.
- Breathability: The fabric allows air to circulate, making it a great choice for activewear and warm-weather clothing.
- Durability: Modal is strong and resistant to pilling, ensuring that garments made from it maintain their appearance over time. It is also less likely to shrink in the wash than other forms of rayon.
- Color Retention: Modal holds dye exceptionally well, resulting in long-lasting, vibrant colors that do not fade easily.
- Eco-Friendly: Produced from sustainably harvested beech trees, the manufacturing process for modal is more environmentally friendly than many other textiles.
Factors to Consider When Buying Modal Fabric
Before you purchase modal fabric, it’s important to evaluate a few factors to ensure you get the right material for your needs.
- Blend Composition: Modal is often blended with other fibers like cotton or spandex to enhance its properties. A modal-spandex blend, for example, will offer more stretch, making it suitable for activewear. A modal-cotton blend provides the softness of modal with the familiar structure of cotton.
- Weight and Drape: The fabric’s weight, usually measured in grams per square meter (GSM), affects its drape and opacity. Lighter-weight modals are ideal for blouses and scarves, while heavier weights are better for trousers and dresses.
- Color and Print: Check the available color options and prints. Some suppliers offer custom printing services, which can be a significant advantage for unique designs.
- Supplier Reliability: When choosing where to buy fabric online, consider the supplier’s reputation. Look for customer reviews, clear shipping policies, and good customer service. A reliable wholesale fabric supplier will provide consistent quality and on-time delivery.
Top Retailers to Buy Modal Fabric by the Yard in the UK
Sourcing high-quality modal fabric in the UK is straightforward with the right suppliers. Whether you need a few yards for a personal project or wholesale quantities for a business, these retailers offer excellent options.
Online Fabric Retailers
Online stores provide the most extensive selection and competitive pricing. Here are some of the best places to buy fabric online in the UK.
- Fabriclore
As a leading wholesale fabric supplier, Fabriclore offers a vast selection of high-quality modal fabric. They are a top choice for designers and brands due to their commitment to quality, customization, and reliable service.
- Wide Variety: Fabriclore provides modal in various blends, colors, and prints, including options for digital printing.
- Customization: They offer customized fabric design, dyeing, and printing services, even at low minimum order quantities (MOQ), which is ideal for small businesses and independent designers.
- Wholesale Pricing: Competitive wholesale prices make it an attractive option for bulk purchases.
- Global Delivery: Though based in India, they have a robust, tech-enabled platform ensuring efficient global shipping and delivery transparency to the UK.
- Mood Fabrics
Mood Fabrics is a well-known name in the fabric world, shipping internationally to the UK. They offer a range of designer fabrics, including various modal blends suitable for high-end fashion. Their website is easy to navigate, and they frequently update their stock with new arrivals. - The Organic Textile Company
For those focused on sustainability, The Organic Textile Company is an excellent resource. They offer a selection of eco-friendly fabrics, including modal and Tencel™ Modal, ensuring that your materials are sourced and produced responsibly.
Local Fabric Shops
While online retailers offer convenience and variety, visiting a local fabric shop allows you to see and feel the fabric before you buy. Many cities in the UK have fabric districts or independent stores with knowledgeable staff.
- London’s Fabric Shops: Areas like Goldhawk Road and Berwick Street in London are famous for their fabric stores. You can often find a selection of modal and rayon fabrics in these locations.
- Independent Retailers: Check for local haberdasheries or fabric stores in your area. They may carry modal blends, and their staff can offer valuable advice for your project.
Sustainable and Ethical Options
When purchasing modal fabric, it’s worth seeking out suppliers who prioritize sustainability. Look for certifications like OEKO-TEX®, which ensures the fabric is free from harmful substances. Tencel™ Modal is a brand of modal produced by the Austrian company Lenzing AG, which is known for its high environmental standards and closed-loop production process. Many top suppliers, including Fabriclore, offer Tencel™ certified fabrics.
Tips for Purchasing Modal Fabric
- Order Swatches: If you are buying online, always order swatches first. This allows you to check the fabric’s color, weight, and feel in person before committing to a larger order.
- Check the Return Policy: Familiarize yourself with the retailer’s return policy in case the fabric isn’t what you expected.
- Consider Shipping Costs: When ordering from international suppliers, factor in shipping costs and potential customs fees.
- Read Reviews: Look at customer reviews for insights into fabric quality and the supplier’s reliability.
Find the Perfect Fabric for Your Project
With its combination of softness, durability, and eco-friendly credentials, modal fabric is an excellent choice for a wide range of applications. Whether you choose to buy fabric online from a global wholesale fabric supplier like Fabriclore or visit a local shop, you have plenty of options for sourcing this versatile material in the UK.
By considering the fabric’s blend, weight, and the supplier’s reputation, you can confidently select the perfect modal for your next design. For businesses and designers looking for a reliable partner offering customization and competitive pricing, Fabriclore stands out as a premier choice for sourcing quality modal fabric.
Fabriclore is a leading B2B fabric sourcing platform with 10+ years of experience dedicated to empowering fashion designers, apparel manufacturers, and clothing brands worldwide. Our extensive collection includes natural fibers like Cotton fabric, linen fabric, and silk fabric; man-made fibers such as viscose and polyester; and sustainable options like LENZING™, LIVA™, BEMBERG™ Cupro, and Organic cotton.
We offer 4 key services:
1. Dyeable Fabric (Woven RFD & Greige, Sustainable and Knitted Fabric)
2. Dyed Fabric (Mill Dyed, Yarn Dyed, Schiffli, & Denim Fabric)
3. Made To Order (Digital Printing, Screen Printing, Block Printing, and Dyeing Solutions)
4. Ready Stock (Block, Screen, Ikat, Tweed, & Jacquard)
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 [email protected]. Experience seamless, authentic, and affordable fabric sourcing with Fabriclore.
