Bella fabric is a popular type of fabric used for clothing, crafts, and home decor. It has a soft, stretchy feel and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Keep reading to learn more about what makes Bella fabric so versatile and appealing!
The Origins of Bella Fabric
Bella fabric was first developed in the early 2000s by National Nonwovens, a textile manufacturing company based in North Carolina. The company set out to create a knit fabric that had the soft, stretchy feel of jersey but with more stability and structure. After extensive research and trial and error, they ultimately developed the fabric we now know as Bella.
The term “Bella” means beautiful in Italian, reflecting the fabric’s high quality and aesthetic appeal. Since its inception, Bella fabric has grown tremendously in popularity for crafters, clothing manufacturers, and fabric retailers due to its desirable qualities and affordability.
Composition and Manufacturing
Bella is a knit fabricblend composed of mostly polyester and a small amount of spandex. The polyester provides durability, strength, and wrinkle resistance, while the spandex adds stretch and flexibility, allowing the fabric to conform well to the body.
Bella is manufactured using a specialized knitting process that results in a fabric with a noticeably smooth, uniform surface and stable interlocking knit construction. This gives it a more tailored look compared to traditional jersey knits.
The front face of the fabric has a soft peachskin finish, while the back has a smooth, slip-resistant texture. Combined, these features give Bella fabric its signature comfortable, flexible drape and luxurious handfeel.
Characteristics and Benefits
Bella fabric offers many desirable characteristics that make it a versatile, easy-care option for a wide range of end uses:
- Soft, smooth handfeel – The peachskin face is soft against the skin without feeling overly thick or heavy.
- Stretchy, good recovery – The spandex content gives Bella significant mechanical stretch and allows projects to retain their shape well after laundering.
- Breathable and cool – The knit construction makes Bella airy and comfortable to wear in warm weather.
- Wrinkle resistant – Items made with Bella resist wrinkling and can often be worn right out of the dryer with minimal ironing.
- Holds shape well – The stable knit construction prevents sagging, bagging, or losing structure.
- Easy to sew – Bella is very beginner-friendly with low tendency to fray or unravel at seams.
- Machine wash/dry – Bella can be conveniently cleaned at home on normal machine cycles.
These qualities make Bella an ideal choice for clothing, especially t-shirts, activewear, dresses, skirts, and more. The fabric is also commonly used for crafts, quilting, home decor items, and DIY fashion projects thanks to its versatility and ease of use.
Types of Bella Fabric
Bella fabric is available in a few different material variations:
- Bella Solid – Classic solid colored Bella with a soft peachskin surface.
- Bella French Terry – Features looped terry cloth on the backside for extra softness and absorbency.
- Bella Bamboo – Made with 60% bamboo viscose and 40% spandex for added sheen, drape and sustainability.
- Bella Luxe – An upgraded Bella with metallic shimmer finish and ultra soft handfeel.
Within these material types, Bella fabric is available in a huge range of colors from vibrant hues to neutral basics. Printed Bella fabric options include various florals, geometric patterns, seasonal themes and more. The most popular solids and prints are readily available from major online retailers and wholesale distributors.
Bella Fabric Uses
Some of the most common uses for Bella fabric include:
- Tops and t-shirts
- Leggings, joggers and activewear
- Dresses and skirts
- Light jackets and cardigans
- Quilts, blankets and pillow covers
- Tote bags, purse straps and accessories
- Headbands, scrunchies and hair accessories
- Home decor items like curtains, tablecloths and accent pillows
Bella is the ideal choice when you want a project with comfortable stretch, shape retention and an attractive drape. It sews and presses smoothly, making it great for beginner and advanced sewers alike. Bella’s popularity and versatility ensures you can find a fabric weight, color and print for virtually any project need.
Sewing with Bella Fabric
Working with Bella fabric is easy thanks to its smooth, stable knit construction. Here are some top tips for sewing success:
- Use stretch sewing machine needles and polyester or ballpoint needles to pierce the fabric cleanly without skipped stitches.
- Select stitches with some stretch like zigzag or lightning stitch, and use a stitch length between 2.5-3mm.
- Cut fabric with sharp shears or rotary cutters to prevent runs or distortions.
- Use fusible knit interfacing on neckbands, waistbands or other finished edges.
- Look for patterns specifically designed for knits for best fit and drape.
- Use a serger/overlock machine if possible for professional, durable seams.
Bella fabric requires minimal ironing due to its wrinkle resistance. Steam from an iron can help relax any creases. Take care not to scorch the fabric by using a lower temperature setting.
Where to Buy Bella Fabric
Bella fabric is widely available at fabric stores and retailers that carry apparel and quilting cottons. Some top sources include:
- Joann Fabrics
- Hancock Fabrics
- Hobby Lobby
- Walmart
- Amazon
- Fabric.com
- Fabric Wholesale Direct
- Local quilt shops
Online shopping often provides the widest selection of colors, prints and material variations. Look for product listings advertising “Bella” or “Bella Soft” to ensure you are getting the genuine fabric. Pricing ranges from $5-$12 per yard depending on the retailer.
Bella vs Jersey Knit
| Bella | Jersey Knit |
|---|---|
|
|
While Bella and jersey knit share some similarities, Bella’s smooth surface, structured drape and stretch control make it preferable for clothing and a wider range of finished projects. Jersey knit excels when maximum softness and stretch are desired.
Bella Fabric Care
Caring for Bella fabric is straightforward:
- Machine wash cold, gentle cycle
- Tumble dry low or hang to dry
- Cool iron as needed
- Dry clean optional for deeper cleaning
- Do not bleach
The polyester fibers allow Bella fabric to bounce back well and maintain its shape after washing. Avoid high heat when drying to prevent potential shrinkage or damage over time. Always follow individual pattern or project instructions for exact fabric care.
Conclusion
With its soft feel, stretchy drape, and wrinkle resistance, it’s easy to see why crafters and clothing makers love working with Bella fabric. Bella is easy to source online and in stores, available in a rainbow of colors and prints, and simple to sew and care for even for beginners. If you’re looking to make comfortable, quality knit projects that hold their shape, Bella is an ideal choice. Explore the range of Bella fabric types and start creating beautiful, professional finished pieces!
