Pique Weave
A weave structure that creates a raised, textured pattern with a waffle-like or honeycomb appearance.
Pique weave creates a distinctive raised, textured surface with geometric patterns that add both visual interest and tactile dimension to fabrics. The weave structure produces small raised areas separated by recessed channels, creating patterns that range from subtle cord-like ridges to pronounced waffle or honeycomb textures.
The structure of pique weave is more complex than basic weaves, often employing a double cloth construction where two layers of fabric are woven simultaneously and connected at specific points. The areas where the layers connect create the raised portions of the pattern, while the unconnected areas form the recessed channels. This construction requires more sophisticated loom setups, typically using dobby or jacquard mechanisms to control the intricate interlacing patterns.
Pique weave produces fabrics with characteristics that make them particularly suitable for certain applications. The textured, dimensional surface creates visual interest that elevates simple garments. The raised pattern structure promotes air circulation, making pique fabrics comfortable in warm weather. The construction is inherently durable, with the double-layer structure adding substance and longevity. The textured surface also helps hide wrinkles, maintaining a neat appearance with minimal care.
Several distinct pique patterns serve different purposes. Bird's eye pique features small diamond-shaped raised areas, creating a refined texture suitable for formal applications. Waffle pique has larger square cells resembling a waffle iron pattern, popular for casual wear and home textiles. Cord pique produces parallel raised lines running across the fabric, often used in formal dress shirts. Honeycomb pique creates hexagonal cells that provide excellent texture and air circulation. Pique weave is widely used for polo shirts where the texture has become iconic, formal dress shirts in cord pique construction, bedding and table linens where the dimensional surface adds elegance, and baby blankets where the soft texture and breathability are valued.
Spec tools
Common questions
What is pique weave fabric?
- Pique weave is a dobby or jacquard-controlled double-layer construction that holds two fabric layers together at selected points to create raised geometric cells — waffle, honeycomb, bird's eye, or cord — separated by recessed channels. The waffle cells trap air, producing the cool, breathable, textured hand familiar from polo shirts.
What is the difference between waffle, honeycomb, bird's eye, and cord pique?
- Waffle pique has square cells like a waffle iron; honeycomb pique has hexagonal cells with the highest air-trap; bird's eye has small diamond raised points favored for formal marcella shirts; cord pique runs parallel raised lines. All four are produced on the same dobby or jacquard mechanism with different pattern drafts.
What GSM range do pique fabrics run?
- Lightweight polo-shirt pique runs 180–220 GSM; mid-weight knit-pique runs 220–280 GSM; heavier double-cloth honeycomb bedding or blanket pique runs 280–400 GSM. Heavier weights hold the raised cell structure through more laundering without collapse.
Is pique weave the same as waffle weave?
- No. Waffle weave is one specific scale and shape of pique. Pique is the family; waffle, honeycomb, bird's eye, and cord are the named patterns within the family. Marketing copy often uses the two interchangeably, but on a mill spec sheet the pattern name is what the loom is set up to weave.
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