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Hari Krishna Tex-Fab
FABRIC WIKI

Challis Fabrics

Challis comes from the Anglo-Indian word "shallee," which means "soft". A challis is a kind of lightweight woven fabric that was traditionally created by combin

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Hari Krishna Fabric Experts
Aug 2026
2 Min Read
100–140 GSM
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Challis Fabrics
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HARI KRISHNAFABRIC WIKI
It is a very smooth fabric that is quite cool to the touch.

It is a very smooth fabric that is quite cool to the touch.

Technical Specifications & Parameters

Specification AttributeStandard Spec
TextureIt is a very smooth fabric that is quite cool to the touch.
BreathableThe fabric is lightweight and breathable.
Wrinkle resistantIt doesn’t wrinkle much and even when it does, it will return to its original state after you’ve worn it for a few minutes.

What is Challis Fabric?  

  • A challis is a kind of lightweight woven fabric that was traditionally created by combining silk and wool. 
  • In certain instances, however, a single type of fabric, such as silk, cotton, or wool, was used to create challis instead of a combination of the two.
  • But these days, challis is almost exclusively composed of rayon. 
  • Rayon, a type of synthetic fiber, is now used to make challis more than any other material because it is easier to get and lasts longer than the others.
Challis Fabric

History 

  • Challis comes from the Anglo-Indian word "shallee," which means "soft."
  • People say that Challis was made for the first time in the early 1830s in the English city of Norwich.
  • This particular kind of fabric has been purposefully developed to have a soft and thin feel, very similar to that of the Norwich crepe. 
  • Yet, in contrast to the Norwich crepe, the Challis fabric has a matte texture and is recognized for having a greater degree of pliability.
  • Paisley and floral designs are used in Challis's classic style, which is also known as the traditional design.
Challis Fabric

What Makes it Stand Out 

Texture 

It is a very smooth fabric that is quite cool to the touch.

Breathable

The fabric is lightweight and breathable.

Wrinkle resistant

It doesn’t wrinkle much and even when it does, it will return to its original state after you’ve worn it for a few minutes.

Applications & Usage 

Clothing 

Jackets, shirts, pants, pajamas, kimono, etc.

Accessories 

Sportswear, babushkas, dirndls, etc.

Care Instructions 

  • It is recommended to do the preliminary washing using warm water and the medium setting on the tumble dryer.
  • Wash it in cold water and then dry it by hanging it up.
  • Rayon challis can stand up to heat and can be pressed with steam at a medium temperature. 
Challis Fabric

Care & Maintenance Guidelines

01

It is recommended to do the preliminary washing using warm water and the medium setting on the tumble dryer.

It is recommended to do the preliminary washing using warm water and the medium setting on the tumble dryer.

02

Wash it in cold water and then dry it by hanging it up.

Wash it in cold water and then dry it by hanging it up.

03

Rayon challis can stand up to heat and can be pressed with steam at a medium temperature.

Rayon challis can stand up to heat and can be pressed with steam at a medium temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Hari Krishna Fabric Experts

Textile Mill & Quality Engineering Team

The Hari Krishna Textile Quality & Engineering team oversees weaving precision, GSM batch audits, and fiber testing under international ISO standards at our Surat mill facility.

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