The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word CREPE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
C
R
E
P
E
More clues leading to the result CREPE
- Fabric salesman introduced to church
- Snack served up in Boulogne, perchance
- Fabric salesman in city going west
- Slightly raise bottom of fawn fabric
- Moving quietly up, steal fabric
- Brave stuffing pigeon's head in French dish
- Some pancake, perchance, served up?
- Dacre perversely keeps material
- Material in provincial theatre restricted by Church
- Fabric salesman in church
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Fabric" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case fabric = crepe.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does CREPE mean?
CREPE noun- A flat round pancake-like pastry from Lower Brittany, made with wheat.
- A soft thin light fabric with a crinkled surface.
- Crepe paper; thin, crinkled tissue paper.
- Rubber in sheets, used especially for shoe soles.
- A death notice printed on white card with a background of black crepe paper or cloth, placed on the door of a residence or business.
- To crease (paper) in such a way to make it look like crepe paper
- To frizz (the hair).