Bamboo terry fabric

What Bamboo Terry Is

Bamboo terry fabric is made of rayon, but in the cloth pad and diaper communities, it’s usually just called bamboo. It has a smooth side and a side with loops. It’s basically the same as bamboo fleece, except the loops haven’t been brushed out to make it fuzzy.

I’m holding two layers of 500gsm bamboo terry in this photo. It feels heavy and floppy, but still thin, which is why I liked using it in cloth pads. It feels substantial but still moldable, soft, and comfortable, kind of like clothing.

Bamboo Terry vs. Bamboo Fleece

I liked using the terry version better because it was less messy to prep. The fleece version always shed a pile of lint in the dryer, and I remember thinking that lint should have stayed attached to the fabric to make it more absorbent.

The texture is also what makes it different. The fleece is brushed and smooth; the terry has loops. Same base fiber, different finishing.

Prepping and Shrinkage

You need to prep it like any natural or rayon-based fabric before sewing. It shrinks, so definitely prewash and dry before cutting. I always got mine from Nature’s Fabrics and used their 400 and 500gsm weights.

Sewing With Bamboo Terry

If you’re sewing cloth pads, you’ll probably only be able to sew through two layers of this before it’s too thick for your machine. If you want more absorbency, use a stepped core or graduated core design so you’re not stitching through all layers at once.

Pads made with several layers of cotton flannel can feel stiff, but bamboo terry stays soft and flexible, which some people prefer for comfort.

Dyeing and Customizing

Bamboo terry can be dyed with Fiber Reactive Procion dyes if you want to add color and use it as a topper fabric. It takes color well and still feels soft after dyeing.