Thus delicate fabric provides comfort (6)
I believe the answer is:
solace
'comfort' is the definition.
(I know that comfort can be written as solace)
'thus delicate fabric' is the wordplay.
'thus' becomes 'so' (synonyms).
'delicate fabric' becomes 'lace' (I've seen this before).
'so'+'lace'='SOLACE'
'provides' is the link.
(Other definitions for solace that I've seen before include "Something that comforts distress" , "Consolation, comfort" , "Comfort and reassurance" , "Comfort at a time of sadness" , "Comfort in misery" .)