How to Read Maker Codes on Fabric Labels: a Crafter's Guide

You just bought a beautiful piece of fabric for a new sewing project. The price was right, the color is perfect but there's a small code printed on the edge of the label that looks like alphabet soup. That code is the maker code, and learning how to read it can save you money, help you reorder the exact same fabric later, and make sure your finished project turns out the way you imagined.

Maker codes on fabric labels tell you who made the fabric, what collection it belongs to, and sometimes even the exact colorway or dye lot. If you've ever tried to find the same fabric six months after buying it and couldn't, you already understand why this matters. Let's break down how these codes work so you can shop smarter and sew with more confidence.

What Is a Maker Code on a Fabric Label?

A maker code is a short combination of letters and numbers printed on the selvage or care label of a bolt of fabric. It identifies the manufacturer, the fabric line or collection, the specific design, and often the colorway. Think of it like a SKU number at a store it's a unique identifier.

For example, a code might look something like MOD-2145-12-RED. Each part of that string means something. "MOD" might stand for the manufacturer (like Moda Fabrics), "2145" could be the collection number, "12" might be the design within that collection, and "RED" or a number could identify the specific colorway. These codes are printed along the selvage edge the tightly woven border on both sides of the fabric or sometimes on a separate sticker or hang tag attached by the retailer.

Why Should I Learn to Read These Codes?

If you sew, quilt, or do any kind of fabric crafting, maker codes solve one of the most frustrating parts of the process: reordering or matching fabric after the fact. Fabric manufacturers release collections seasonally. Once a collection sells out, it can be nearly impossible to find again unless you know the exact code.

Here's when this skill really helps:

You need to buy more of the same fabric to finish a quilt or garment.
You want to coordinate fabrics from the same collection for a cohesive look.
You're shopping online and need to search by code rather than by vague color descriptions.
You're reselling fabric and want to provide accurate product information to buyers.
You're comparing prices across retailers and need to confirm it's the same material.

Understanding craft supply manufacturer codes more broadly can also help you decode labels on yarn, thread, and other materials not just fabric.

Where Exactly Do I Find the Maker Code?

The maker code usually appears in one of three places on the fabric:

Along the selvage edge: This is the most common spot. Look at the tightly woven border on either side of the fabric. You'll often see repeating text that includes the manufacturer name, collection name, designer name, and a code made up of letters and numbers.
On the bolt end sticker: When fabric is wrapped on a bolt at the store, retailers often place a sticker on the end with pricing info and sometimes the manufacturer's code.
On a hang tag or care label: Some fabrics, especially apparel fabrics, include a sewn-in or attached label with the code printed alongside fiber content and care instructions.

If the fabric has already been cut and you're working with a remnant, check for any printed text along the selvage. That's your best bet for finding the maker code.

How Do I Break Down the Parts of a Fabric Maker Code?

Most fabric maker codes follow a general pattern, even though every manufacturer formats them slightly differently. Here's how the pieces usually fit together:

Manufacturer Identifier

This is typically a short abbreviation two to four letters that tells you who made the fabric. Common examples include:

MOD for Moda Fabrics
KW for Kaffe Fassett (distributed by FreeSpirit Fabrics)
TB for Robert Kaufman's Thunder Bay line
FS for FreeSpirit Fabrics
WV for Windham Fabrics

Over time, you'll start to recognize these abbreviations the same way you recognize brand logos.

Collection or Line Number

After the manufacturer code, you'll usually see a number (or a number and letter combo) that identifies the specific collection. A collection is a group of coordinating fabrics designed together often by a specific designer and released for a particular season.

Colorway or Design Code

The next portion of the code identifies the individual design within the collection and the specific colorway. A single design might come in five or six colorways, so this part of the code is what distinguishes a blue floral from a red floral with the same pattern.

Putting It Together: A Real Example

Let's say you see this on the selvage: MOD-18090-11-BLUE

MOD = Moda Fabrics
18090 = the collection number
11 = the specific design within that collection
BLUE = the colorway

You can type that full code into a search engine or an online fabric shop's search bar, and you'll likely find the exact fabric even if it's from a past season.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes People Make?

Reading maker codes isn't hard, but there are a few pitfalls that trip people up:

Confusing the care label with the maker code: Fabric care labels list fiber content, washing instructions, and country of origin. That's useful information, but it's not the maker code. Look at the selvage for the actual identifier.
Not writing the code down before cutting: Once you cut into a piece of fabric, the selvage and the code on it gets trimmed away. Write down or photograph the maker code before you make your first cut.
Ignoring the colorway number: Two people can describe the same fabric as "the green one" or "the teal one" and mean completely different things. The colorway code removes the guesswork.
Assuming all manufacturers use the same format: There's no universal standard. A Moda code looks different from a Robert Kaufman code. If you work with fabrics from several brands, take time to learn each one's format.
Throwing away the bolt label: If you buy fabric off the bolt at a store, keep the end sticker or ask the shop to note the maker code on your receipt. This small habit can save hours of searching later.

How Do I Use Maker Codes When Shopping Online?

Online fabric shopping is where maker codes really prove their value. Here's a practical approach:

Search by the full code: Enter the manufacturer code, collection number, and colorway directly into a search engine or fabric retailer's search bar.
Try partial codes: If the full code doesn't return results, try searching with just the manufacturer abbreviation and collection number. You might find the fabric listed under a slightly different naming convention.
Cross-reference with the designer name: If you know the designer's name from the selvage, searching "[designer name] [collection number]" often works when the code format differs across retailers.
Check manufacturer websites directly: Many manufacturers have online catalogs where you can search by code. This is especially helpful for older collections that retailers may no longer stock.

Some quilters keep a simple spreadsheet or notebook with maker codes for every fabric they purchase. It sounds old-fashioned, but it's one of the most effective ways to keep track of materials for long-term projects.

What About Non-Fabric Craft Supplies?

Maker codes aren't just a fabric thing. If you work with yarn, you'll find similar identification systems for weight, fiber, and colorway. You can learn more about yarn weight category codes if your crafting extends beyond sewing.

The same logic applies: understanding the code lets you reorder confidently, match materials accurately, and communicate clearly with other crafters or suppliers.

Do All Fabric Manufacturers Use Maker Codes?

Most major quilting cotton manufacturers Moda, Robert Kaufman, Riley Blake, Windham, FreeSpirit, Andover consistently print maker codes on selvages. Apparel fabric manufacturers are less consistent. High-end apparel fabrics from mills in Italy, Japan, or the UK may use codes, but they might be less standardized or printed in a way that's harder to find.

If you're working with apparel fabric and can't find a code, look for:

A printed selvage with the mill or brand name
A sticker or stamp on the bolt or remnant
A separate label attached by the retailer
Information on the invoice or receipt if purchased in-store

When in doubt, ask the shop staff. Independent fabric store owners are often deeply knowledgeable about their inventory and can help you track down a code or identify a fabric's origin.

What If the Code Is Partially Printed or Hard to Read?

This happens more often than you'd think especially on printed fabrics where the selvage text overlaps with the design. A few tips:

Use a magnifying glass or your phone's zoom camera to read faded or small text on the selvage.
Look at the very edge. Maker codes are sometimes printed right at the outer edge of the selvage, where the ink hasn't been affected by the print design.
Check the other selvage edge. Some fabrics only print the code on one side, but many print it on both.
Search by what you can read. Even a partial code like the manufacturer abbreviation and a few digits is often enough to identify the fabric online.

For quilters who use specific fonts in their projects and also appreciate the visual details on fabric selvages, knowing your typefaces can help you read small printed codes more easily. It's worth getting familiar with common label fonts like Bodoni or similar serif typefaces that mills often use.

Quick Reference: How to Read a Fabric Maker Code Step by Step

Locate the selvage edge of your fabric and find the printed text.
Identify the manufacturer abbreviation it's usually the first few letters.
Note the collection or line number typically a 4- to 6-digit number.
Find the colorway identifier this may be a number, a word (like a color name), or both.
Write down or photograph the entire code before you cut the fabric.
Use the code to search online when you need to reorder, match, or research the fabric.

Keep this process in mind every time you buy new fabric. It takes five seconds to snap a photo of the selvage and it can save you from the headache of trying to identify a mystery fabric months later.