Corduroy fabric has a rich history, dating back to ancient Egypt, where similar textiles were created for royalty. The modern form of corduroy gained popularity in 18th-century England, where it was called “cord du roi” (French for “cloth of the king”). Today, corduroy remains a versatile fabric loved for its durability, warmth, and unique texture. 

Corduroy fabric is more than just a textile—it’s a tactile experience that adds texture, warmth, and style to any garment. Known for its characteristic ridges, or “wales,” corduroy fabric comes in a variety of styles that can bring a unique design your fashion brand or sewing projects. In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of corduroy—pinwale, standard wale, elephant wale, and Bedford wale—explain their differences, and help you decide where to buy the best corduroy fabric for your next creation. 

What Are Wale Counts in Corduroy Fabric? 

The "wale" of corduroy fabric refers to the number of ridges per inch. These ridges are created by weaving extra threads into the fabric, then cutting and brushing the pile to form textured lines. The wale count is a critical factor in determining the fabric's appearance and feel, with lower wale counts having wider ridges and higher wale counts having narrower ones. Understanding the wale count is key to selecting the right corduroy fabric for your clothing design and sewing projects. 

1. Pinwale Corduroy Fabric 

• Wale Count: 16+ per inch 

• Texture: Fine, narrow ridges with a soft, smooth feel. 

• Best For: Lightweight garments such as shirts, dresses, and baby clothes. 

Pinwale corduroy fabric is the most delicate type of corduroy, with tiny ridges that give it a polished, velvet-like appearance. Perfect for lightweight, elegant garments, pinwale is ideal for sewing shirts, dresses, and children’s clothing. The fine texture also makes it suitable for detailed, drapey designs.  Pinwale corduroy’s high wale count and soft feel make it a popular choice for children's wear. 

2. Standard Wale Corduroy Fabric 

• Wale Count: 8-14 per inch 

• Texture: Balanced ridges with a medium weight and texture. 

• Best For: Pants, skirts, and blazers. 

Standard wale corduroy fabric strikes a perfect balance between durability and softness. Its medium-sized ridges make it versatile for both structured garments, like trousers, and more casual items, like jackets. It’s the go-to option for a classic corduroy look and is great for everyday wear. 

Why It’s Called Standard Wale: The term “standard wale” reflects its middle-ground status in terms of wale count, making it the "standard" for everyday corduroy use. 

3. Elephant Wale Corduroy Fabric 

• Wale Count: 1-6 per inch 

• Texture: Bold, wide ridges with a chunky, dramatic appearance. 

• Best For: Outerwear, upholstery, and statement pieces. 

Elephant wale corduroy fabric features exaggerated ridges, giving it a bold, textured appearance. This thick, durable fabric is perfect for creating eye-catching fashion pieces, such as coats and statement trousers, as well as for heavier-duty applications like upholstery. 

The name “elephant wale” was inspired by the fabric's oversized ridges, which resemble the folds in an elephant’s skin. 

4. Bedford Wale Corduroy Fabric 

• Wale Count: Varies, often subtle ridges 

• Texture: More refined and spaced-out ridges with a sleek, tailored finish. 

• Best For: Workwear, trousers, and uniforms. 

Bedford Cord has faint lengthwise ridges, but without the filling yarns that make the distinct wales characteristic of corduroy. It can have the appearance of narrow-width stripes with thin lines between.  It was originally used in workwear, making it perfect for durable, professional garments like trousers and uniforms. Its clean, structured appearance is well-suited for those seeking a more refined, tailored look. 

Bedford cord is named after the town of New Bedford, Massachusetts, a famous 19th century textile manufacturing city 

How Are Corduroy Ridges Created? 

Corduroy fabric is made by weaving extra threads into a base fabric, creating a pile. After weaving, the pile is cut and brushed to form ridges. The width of the ridges is determined by how densely the extra threads are packed. Finishing techniques, such as shearing or steaming, are used to enhance the texture and ensure that the ridges are evenly spaced. 

Which Corduroy Fabric Should You Choose? 

• Pinwale: Opt for lightweight, delicate designs like shirts, dresses and children’s garments. 

• Standard Wale: Ideal for everyday wear, such as pants, skirts, overalls and blazers. 

• Elephant Wale: Go bold with coats, statement trousers, and upholstery. 

• Bedford Wale: Best for polished, structured garments like work trousers or uniforms. 

Where to Buy Corduroy Fabric 

If you're looking to buy corduroy fabric, you’re in the right place! Whether you need pinwale, standard wale, elephant wale, or Bedford wale corduroy, there are many places to purchase these stylish fabrics. Yardblox Fabrics offers a wide selection of high-quality corduroy fabrics in different wale counts and colors, perfect for all your fashion designs and projects. Whether you're a professional designer, starting a new brand or a home sewist, find the perfect corduroy fabric for your next creation at Yardblox Fabrics.