Contrast fabric is a sewing term that refers to a fabric piece or embellishment made from a different fabric than the main fabric. The term 'contrast fabric' is used in contrast to the term self-fabric.
Contrast fabric is used in certain pattern pieces such as facings and linings to produce design details that stand out from the rest of the garment.[1] It is also used as embellishment, such as in ric rac, piping or appliqué. For example, to make buttons a design feature, a special type of button is often covered in the contrasting fabric.[2]