How to Identify the Right and Wrong Side of Your Fabric

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The right side of your fabric is the side that should be seen when your sewing project is complete…

But, how do you tell which side that is before sewing?

Sometimes it’s easy to identify the right and wrong side of your fabric, especially when it has a pattern. However, that is not always the case.

We want to show you how to tell the difference between the right and wrong side of fabric on those solid-colored fabrics that look almost the same on both sides. It’s a little different for every fabric.

Woven Cotton is one of the easiest to tell the right side from the wrong side. Most of the time, the more vibrant print/hue is on the right side. The wrong side may have the color seeping through, but it will be duller. You might have to look very close at solids, though.
Single Knit Fabric can be a bit tricky to tell the right side from the wrong side, especially if the stitches are small. The right side will look like rows of Vs running vertical down the length of the fabric. The wrong side will have small curves running horizontally across the fabric.
Jersey Fabric is considered a single knit, so it will follow a lot of the same rules as above. However, another sure sign is to look at the selvage and cut line. The selvage, which is the side of the fabric that is usually not printed on and many times woven tighter, will curl towards the wrong side. The cut edge of the fabric will curl towards the right side.
Double-Brushed Poly / Double-Knit Fabric is probably one of the hardest fabrics to tell the right side from the wrong side, especially when it is a solid color. Many times, the knit itself looks similar on both sides. Many people just choose one side for the right side and use it consistently for their sewing project. However, the right side in double brushed poly, also called dbp, has a sheen and is more vibrant in light.
Velvet and Corduroy both have a distinct texture/nap on one side but not the other. The side with the texture is the right side of the fabric.
Satin and Silk have a noticeable right side. It is the side with the shine. The wrong side is usually dull.
Fleece is another fabric that can be difficult to determine the right side from the wrong side. The best trick is to hold the fleece horizontal with the cut edge on top. When you pull slightly, the cut edge will curl towards the wrong side. If you buy custom fleece, it may have one side that is smooth and another that is textured. In this case, the smooth side is the right side.