DBP, or double brushed poly, is a lightweight knit fabric made from 96% polyester and 4% spandex. It’s one of the most popular fabrics in the sewing and small-business apparel world, prized for its buttery soft texture and versatility across dozens of garment types. If you’ve ever worn ultra-soft leggings or a flowy top that felt almost like pajamas, there’s a good chance it was made from DBP.
What Makes DBP Different From Other Knits
The “double brushed” part of the name refers to how the fabric is finished after it’s knitted. During manufacturing, the fabric passes through rapidly rotating rollers covered in fine wires. These rollers agitate the surface fibers, raising them to create a soft, plush feel. With double brushed poly, this process happens on both sides of the fabric in two separate passes, so the inside feels just as smooth against your skin as the outside looks.
Single brushed polyester, by comparison, only gets this treatment on one side. The result is a fabric that’s noticeably less soft on the inner surface. DBP’s two-sided brushing gives it a consistent velvety hand feel throughout, which is why it’s become the go-to for garments worn directly against the body.
Common Uses for DBP Fabric
DBP is an extremely versatile knit that works for a wide range of sewn projects. Its most common uses include:
- Leggings: This is probably the single most popular application. The four-way stretch and soft finish make it comfortable for all-day wear.
- T-shirts and casual tops: DBP drapes well and creates loose, flowy silhouettes without looking stiff or structured.
- Dresses and skirts: The fabric’s weight is light enough to move naturally but heavy enough to avoid being see-through in most prints.
- Loungewear and cardigans: Its pajama-like softness makes it a natural fit for relaxed, at-home clothing.
- Lightweight sweaters: DBP provides a thin layer of warmth without bulk, working well for layering pieces.
- Accessories: Scrunchies, headbands, and similar small items are quick projects that use the fabric’s stretch and softness.
DBP is particularly popular among small-batch clothing makers and custom print sellers because it accepts sublimation printing well, producing vibrant, detailed patterns. If you’ve browsed handmade leggings on Etsy or at a craft fair, most of them are likely DBP.
Stretch, Drape, and Weight
The 4% spandex content gives DBP reliable four-way stretch, meaning it stretches both lengthwise and crosswise and then recovers to its original shape. This is what makes it work so well for fitted garments like leggings. You get a snug fit without the fabric bagging out at the knees after a few hours of wear.
DBP is a medium-weight knit. It’s heavier than something like a jersey cotton tee but lighter than a ponte or scuba knit. This middle ground is part of why it’s so versatile. It has enough body to hold structure in a skirt or dress but enough drape to flow rather than stand stiffly away from the body. For tops and dresses, this translates to a relaxed, flattering silhouette that skims rather than clings.
Breathability and Comfort
Despite being synthetic, DBP is reasonably breathable. Its lightweight construction allows air to circulate through the fabric, making it comfortable in transitional weather, not just cold months. It also has moisture-wicking properties that help pull sweat away from the skin, which is why leggings made from this fabric feel less clammy than you might expect from polyester.
That said, DBP isn’t a performance athletic fabric. It works fine for light activity, yoga, or running errands, but it won’t manage moisture as aggressively as dedicated activewear fabrics designed for high-intensity exercise. For casual wear and everyday comfort, though, it performs well across a wide temperature range.
How to Care for DBP
DBP is low-maintenance, but heat is its enemy. Machine wash in cold water on a gentle cycle using mild detergent, and skip the bleach entirely. For drying, tumble on low heat or air dry. High heat can damage the brushed surface, causing the fibers to mat down and lose that signature softness. If you need to press out wrinkles, use a low iron setting.
One thing to keep in mind: the brushing process that gives DBP its softness also makes it slightly more prone to pilling over time compared to unbrushed synthetics. Washing garments inside out and using a gentle cycle helps minimize this. A fabric shaver can handle any pills that do develop.
Environmental Considerations
Because DBP is a synthetic fabric, it does shed microplastic fibers during washing. Research has shown that mechanically treated fabrics, including brushed textiles, release more microfibers than untreated ones. If this concerns you, washing DBP garments in a microfiber-catching laundry bag can reduce the amount of synthetic fiber that enters waterways. Washing less frequently and using cold water also helps, since agitation and heat both increase fiber shedding.
Sewing Tips for DBP
If you’re planning to sew with DBP, a few practical details will save you frustration. Use a ballpoint or stretch needle, which slides between the knit fibers rather than piercing through them. A serger produces the cleanest seams, but a regular sewing machine with a zigzag or stretch stitch works fine. DBP doesn’t fray, so finishing raw edges is optional for most projects.
The fabric can be slightly slippery on a cutting table, so using pattern weights instead of pins and cutting with a rotary cutter gives cleaner lines. When sewing seams, a walking foot helps feed both layers of fabric evenly and prevents the top layer from stretching ahead of the bottom one. Because DBP has good stretch recovery, hems on leggings and tops tend to stay put even without hemming tape or interfacing.