Right Side vs Wrong Side of Fabric: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners & Bouclé Lovers

What is the right side of a fabric anyway? Well, simple: it’s the side you see when you're wearing your homemade outfit. Easy peasy, right?
Well... not quite! Some fabrics love to play tricks on us when it comes to figuring out the right side (RS) versus the wrong side (WS).
And what about our absolute favorite, Bouclé? Did Coco Chanel ever accidentally mix up the right and wrong side of a fabric? Probably not—she was the ultimate expert! But don't worry: with these tips, you'll be an expert too!
Let's dive right into the world of fabric sides!

What Is the "Right Side" of a Fabric?If you search the internet, you’ll find plenty of quick rules, like:

• "It's the side facing inward when the fabric is on the bolt."
• "It's the side that feels softest to the touch."
• "It's the side where the selvedge pinholes point downward."

Spoiler alert: none of these rules are guaranteed to be true!

The true outer side is ultimately whichever side you choose. Plus, fabric is often wound onto bolts with the right side facing out anyway—fabric stores want those gorgeous prints on full display so customers don't have to unroll the whole bolt just to get a peek!

As for "feeling the softest"? That could easily be the inside. Think of French terry, jersey, or cozy fleece—you definitely want that soft, fluffy side hugging your skin!

And the selvedge pinhole trick? It's a nice guideline, but it's far from a rule set in stone.

The Real Right Side
Most of the time, picking the right side is a breeze—especially with bold prints or fabrics with a clear front and back.

With other fabrics, it’s a bit of a puzzle. And for some, there isn't even a right or wrong side at all because both sides look and feel identical!

Quick Tips & Tricks to Spot the Right Side:

1. Take it outside: Natural daylight works wonders! You’ll spot subtle differences way easier than under indoor lighting.
2. Ask a friend: Fresh eyes see things differently. Remember that famous viral dress that half the world saw as black and blue, and the other half as white and gold? Four eyes see more than two!
3. Check the selvedge: The edge often reveals the right side by looking just a little cleaner and more finished than the wrong side.
4. Feel the texture: With most woven or printed fabrics, the right side has a richer texture, while the wrong side is just the backing of the weave.
5. Look at the grainline and nap: The direction of the weave or pile is usually much clearer on the right side.
6. Rotate the fabric: Spin it around and view it from different angles. Suddenly--eureka!—it clicks.

Examples & Case Studies

1. Bengaline Jacquard

It’s super tricky to choose between the sides here, but there is a difference! On the left image, you see the true right side: the beige tone dominates and the houndstooth (or pied-de-poule) pattern pops clearly. On the right image, black dominates and the pattern looks a bit messier.

2. Washed Cotton

One side shows subtle lines, while the other shows a distinct herringbone texture within those lines. Whichever side you prefer, make sure to mark the "wrong" side on every cut pattern piece with tailor's chalk! It’s so easy to mix them up while sewing—and once your garment is finished, you’ll definitely notice if the front panels don't match.

3. Trousers Fabric

Grab your reading glasses or a magnifying glass for this one! The left side has sharper, crisp lines (you can even feel them), while the right side looks softer and blurrier. The left is technically the right side—though the softer back will feel lovely against your legs!

4. Cotton Voile Print
Take a look at the fine black lines in the beige print. They are much sharper and clearer on the right side (shown on the right image). In daylight, these subtle details immediately jump out!

Bouclé & Chanel-Style Fabrics

Woven Bouclé and tweed fabrics are famous for testing our patience. Let's look at a few tricky examples!

• Red & Black Weave : We’re going with the left! The horizontal red-and-black thread sits beautifully 'on top' of the weave. (Or would you choose the right side for its cleaner weave lines? The choice is yours!)
• Pink & Yellow Accent : A total piece of cake! The right image wins. The pink and yellow threads sit much richer on top of the fabric structure.
• Summer Cotton Bouclé : This one gives us a run for our money. Both sides look completely identical no matter how closely we inspect them!
• Herringbone Tweed : Both sides look identical here too, but pay extra attention when cutting! The herringbone structure has a very clear directional nap.
• Textured Dark Tweed : A total giveaway! The left side is clearly the right side—the textured threads sit proudly on top, while the back shows more plain black base weave.

The Verdict
It’s actually funny to talk about a "wrong" or "bad" side of a fabric. Sometimes both sides are identical, and sometimes the "wrong" side is actually prettier than the "right" one!
Get into the habit of closely inspecting your fabrics—especially when working with luxury Bouclé or Chanel-style weaves. Always mark your wrong sides with tailor's chalk or a safety pin as soon as you cut your pieces.

Keep an eye out for tiny details--the devil is in the detail, after all!

Still in doubt? Snap a quick photo and send it over to us. Eight eyes see even more than four! 😉