Rayon

Shop rayon fabric online at Super Cheap Fabrics, cut by the metre from 0.5m and shipped across Australia and New Zealand. Our range covers printed rayon, designer rayon, Silkyfall rayon, mercerised rayon, crinkled rayon, bamboo rayon and plain rayon, with new prints landing every few weeks. Every piece is handled in our Collingwood warehouse in Melbourne, where we have been cutting dressmaking fabric for more than 40 years.

• 10,000+ five-star reviews from Australian and New Zealand sewists
• 115,000+ online customers, plus generations of Melbourne sewists in store
• 40+ years cutting fabric in Collingwood, Melbourne

What is rayon fabric?

Rayon is a regenerated cellulose fibre. It starts as plant cellulose, usually wood or bamboo pulp, which is dissolved and spun back into a fibre. That gives rayon the soft, breathable feel of a natural fibre with the smooth drape of a synthetic. Viscose is the most common type of rayon, so you will see the two names used for the same fabric. For a deeper explanation, read our guide Rayon vs Viscose: What's the Difference?

Rayon quality and texture

Good rayon is all about the handle. Ours has a smooth, cool touch, a soft matte finish and a fluid weight that moves and settles beautifully on the body. The surface takes colour cleanly, so prints stay crisp and saturated and solids keep a rich, even tone. It looks and feels more expensive than it costs. We carry lightweight rayon for airy blouses, dresses and linings through to rayon with more body for fuller drape and cooler-season pieces.

Types of rayon we stock

• Printed and designer rayon: florals, tropicals, ditsy prints, damasks, stripes and abstracts on a soft, fluid base. Browse printed rayon fabric.
• Silkyfall rayon: a light, silky-handled rayon print around 110 GSM with an easy, swingy drape for summer dresses and blouses.
• Mercerised rayon: treated for a smoother surface, a subtle lustre and richer print colour.
• Crinkled rayon: a textured, crinkle finish that hides creases and adds movement, ideal for travel and resort wear.
• Bamboo rayon: rayon made from bamboo cellulose, with a cool, silky hand. Browse bamboo rayon fabric.
• Plain rayon: solid colours for linings, basics and colour blocking. Browse plain rayon fabric.

Why sewists choose rayon

• Fluid drape: falls in soft folds, so skirts, wide-leg pants and gathered dresses move beautifully.
• Cool and breathable: absorbs moisture and breathes, which makes it one of the most comfortable fabrics for a hot Australian summer.
• Vivid prints: takes dye exceptionally well, so colours stay clear and saturated.
• Soft on the skin: a smooth, lightweight handle that stays gentle all day.
• Silk-like feel for less: a smooth, luxurious hand at a fraction of the price of silk.

What to make with rayon

Rayon suits any garment where drape and comfort matter: summer and maxi dresses, blouses, shirts, wrap tops, bias-cut and gathered skirts, wide-leg pants, jumpsuits, kaftans, pyjamas, scarves and linings. Most of our rayon is 140cm to 150cm wide, which gives efficient layouts for full skirts and wide pattern pieces. For crisp tailoring with sharp structure, a cotton or linen will hold its shape better.

How to order rayon fabric

1. Choose your length: each unit is 0.5 metre, so 1 unit is 0.5m and 5 units is 2.5m. Your order is cut as one length where stock allows.
2. Check the width: widths are in every product title. Wider fabric needs less length for the same pattern.
3. Not sure about a print? Order a fabric swatch first, or see the range in person at our Collingwood store.
4. Check out your way: pay with card, PayPal, Afterpay or Zip, and choose delivery or Click & Collect. We aim to dispatch every order within 2 business days.

Sewing tips for rayon

• Pre-wash first: rayon can shrink on its first wash, so wash and dry it the way you will wash the finished garment before cutting. See our pre-washing guide for cotton, silk and rayon.
• Buy a little extra: allow around 10% more length to cover shrinkage and print matching.
• Cut with care: rayon shifts easily. Lay it flat on a single layer, use pattern weights and a rotary cutter, and stay-stitch curved edges such as necklines.
• Use a fine needle: a sharp or microtex 70/10 or 80/12 needle and French seams give a clean, durable finish.

How to care for rayon

Hand wash or use a cold, gentle machine cycle in a wash bag. Rayon is weaker when wet, so do not wring or twist it. Reshape and dry flat or on a hanger out of direct sun, then press on the reverse with a warm iron while slightly damp.

Rayon fabric FAQs