A soft, lightweight, usually plain-weave fabric with a supple drape.
Challis is a fine, soft, lightweight fabric, usually made in plain weave and often printed. In plain weave, the lengthwise and crosswise yarns interlace in a simple alternating sequence. The name combines an expectation of light weight and softness with a fabric construction, rather than identifying a single fibre. Challis may be made from wool, cotton or rayon, so composition needs to be stated separately. A print describes its surface design and does not establish its material. When comparing samples, the fabric name, fibre content and printed design therefore supply different pieces of information.
In job listings
Fabric names like this are more common in development and design work than in job descriptions. A fabric developer may choose challis for a dress or scarf where softness and a supple drape are the main requirements. Search local jobs for “fabrics”.
