The Islands Fabric Glossary: Pacific Textiles, Prints & Garments
The Islands Fabric Glossary
Pacific textiles, prints, motifs & garments — explained for makers, by Islands Fabric.
The Fabrics We Carry
The materials behind island-style sewing, from our signature barkcloth to easy-care blends.
Cotton Light Barkcloth (Lava Cloth)
Our signature fabric — a soft, lightweight 100% cotton with a subtly textured surface echoing traditional Pacific barkcloth. At 45" wide, it's the workhorse of island sewing: aloha shirts, muumuus, quilts, upholstery, and cultural-costume attire.
Shop Barkcloth →
Heavy Barkcloth
A heavier cotton with more body and a coarser, more pronounced texture. Best for upholstery, cushions, drapery, and home décor where structure matters — such as our Bird of Paradise and Monstera leaf prints.
Shop Upholstery →
Peachskin (100% Polyester)
A lightweight microfiber polyester brushed to a soft, peach-fuzz hand. Drapes fluidly, resists wrinkles, dries fast, and holds bright tropical color well — popular for flowy dresses, sarongs, and resort wear.
Shop Peachskin →
Rayon & Rayon Poplin
Rayon is a semi-synthetic fiber made from regenerated cellulose, prized for silky drape and breathability — excellent for aloha shirts and dresses that move. Rayon poplin adds a fine crosswise rib for a crisper finish.
Shop Rayon →
Poly-Cotton
A blend marrying cotton's breathability with polyester's wrinkle-resistance and durability. An easy-care choice for everyday island apparel.
Shop Poly-Cotton →
Polyester (Glitter, Foil, Flocking, Fleece)
Versatile, colorfast, and budget-friendly. Specialty finishes — glitter, metallic foil, flocked velvet texture, and soft fleece — extend it into costume, dance, and décor uses.
Shop Polyester →Traditional Pacific Textiles
The heritage behind the prints — the authentic cultural cloths our modern fabrics honor.
These are the authentic cultural cloths our modern printed fabrics celebrate. We sell island-style printed cotton and polyester inspired by these traditions — not the ceremonial originals, which are handmade treasures of their respective cultures and communities.
Tapa / Kapa (Barkcloth)
Traditional Pacific barkcloth made by beating the inner bark of the paper mulberry tree into sheets, then decorating it with natural pigments. Called kapa in Hawaiʻi, tapa across much of Polynesia, siapo in Sāmoa, and ngatu in Tonga. Used historically for clothing, bedding, and ceremonial gifts.
Masi (Fijian Barkcloth)
Fiji's barkcloth tradition, known for striking black-and-rust geometric borders and stencilled motifs. Our Fijian-print fabrics draw on this distinctive visual language.
Polynesian Tattoo (Tatau) Patterns
The bold linear and geometric motifs across Sāmoan, Tongan, Marquesan, and Māori art derive from tatau (tattoo) traditions — each element historically carrying meaning of genealogy, status, and protection. Our "Traditional Polynesian Tattoo" prints celebrate this art form.
Island Motifs Explained
The flowers, foliage, and symbols printed across our island fabrics.
Hibiscus
The iconic tropical flower; a symbol of island beauty and hospitality.
Plumeria
Fragrant five-petal blossom (frangipani), used in lei.
Monstera & Split-Leaf
Dramatic tropical foliage, a staple of island décor prints.
Honu (Sea Turtle)
Symbol of longevity, navigation, and good fortune.
Palm & Hammock Fern
Classic botanical island motifs.
Tribal / Geometric Borders
Repeating patterns from tapa and tatau traditions, often along a fabric's edge.
Garments & Finished Goods
The classic island garments our fabrics are made for.
Aloha Shirt (Hawaiian Shirt)
The open-collar printed shirt, traditionally cut so the print flows across the seams. Best made in rayon, cotton barkcloth, or peachskin for drape.
Shop Shirts →Muumuu (Muʻumuʻu)
A loose, comfortable Hawaiian dress, often floor-length. Flows beautifully in lightweight barkcloth and peachskin.
Shop Muumuu →Sarong (Pāreu / Lavalava)
A versatile wrapped garment — pāreu in Tahiti, lavalava in Sāmoa. One of our largest categories, worn countless ways.
Shop Sarongs →Border Print Fabric
Fabric with a distinct printed band along one selvage, designed so the border becomes a feature hem on skirts, sarongs, and muumuus.
Shop Border Prints →Caring for Island Fabrics
Keep prints vivid and fabrics lasting with the right care.
| Fabric | Wash | Dry | Iron |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton Light Barkcloth | Machine cold, gentle | Tumble low or hang | Medium |
| Heavy Barkcloth | Cold, gentle | Hang to dry | Medium, reverse |
| Peachskin Polyester | Machine cold | Tumble low / hang | Low |
| Rayon / Poplin | Hand wash or gentle cold | Hang to dry | Low–medium, damp |
| Poly-Cotton | Machine warm | Tumble low | Medium |
Tip: Pre-wash cotton barkcloth before sewing, as natural-fiber prints can shrink slightly on first wash. Wash bright tropical prints separately the first time to protect the vivid colors.