A Comprehensive Guide to Warp Knitting - A-ZEN Textile

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Warp knitting is a versatile and efficient textile manufacturing process that produces knitted fabrics with distinct characteristics. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the warp knitting process, its advantages, applications, machine types, yarn considerations, quality control measures, maintenance tips, and future trends. Whether you are a textile enthusiast, designer, or industry professional, this article will provide valuable insights into the world of warp knitting.

Introduction to Warp Knitting

Warp knitting is a method of fabric production that involves the intermeshing of yarns in the lengthwise direction, known as the warp. Unlike weft knitting, where a single yarn traverses horizontally, warp knitting utilizes multiple yarns simultaneously. This technique creates stable and intricate fabrics with diverse applications.

Understanding the Warp Knitting Process

Setting up the Warp Knitting Machine

To begin the warp knitting process, a warp beam is mounted onto the machine. The warp yarns are wound onto the beam and threaded through guide bars, which control their movement during knitting. The threaded yarns pass through the knitting elements and are secured by sinker bars, creating a stable fabric structure.

Warp Knitting Techniques

Warp knitting encompasses various techniques, including Tricot, Raschel, and others such as technical machines, malimo and maliwat machines. Each technique offers unique capabilities and fabric characteristics. Tricot knitting produces fine, lightweight fabrics with excellent drapability, while Raschel knitting allows for the creation of heavy, textured fabrics. Milanese knitting combines elements of both techniques, resulting in versatile fabrics suitable for various applications.

Types of Warp Knitting Stitches

Warp knitting machines can produce a wide range of stitches, including plain, tuck, miss, and jacquard stitches. Plain stitches create a basic interlooping pattern, while tuck stitches involve additional loop formations for increased fabric thickness. Miss stitches create open spaces within the fabric, and jacquard stitches enable intricate designs and patterns.

Advantages of Warp Knitting

Warp knitting offers several advantages over other textile production methods, making it a preferred choice in many industries.

High Production Speed

Warp knitting machines are capable of high-speed production, significantly increasing manufacturing efficiency. The simultaneous intermeshing of multiple yarns enables the rapid creation of fabric, making warp knitting ideal for large-scale production.

Versatility in Fabric Design

With warp knitting, designers can achieve a wide range of fabric designs, from fine and delicate to thick and textured. The flexibility in stitch types and pattern creation allows for endless possibilities in fabric aesthetics, enabling the production of unique and visually appealing textiles.

Efficient Yarn Utilization

Warp knitting ensures efficient yarn utilization, minimizing waste during the production process. The controlled movement of yarns and the ability to vary stitch densities optimize yarn consumption, reducing material costs and environmental impact.

Applications of Warp Knitting

Warp-knitted fabrics find applications in various industries due to their unique characteristics and versatility.

Apparel Industry

Warp-knitted fabrics are extensively used in the apparel industry, particularly for lingerie, sportswear, and outerwear. The lightweight and stretchable nature of these fabrics provide comfort, breathability, and excellent shape retention.

Home Textiles

Warp-knitted textiles are utilized in home furnishings such as curtains, upholstery, beddings, and table linens. The fabric's durability, versatility, and aesthetic appeal make it suitable for enhancing the ambiance of living spaces.

Automotive Textiles

In the automotive sector, warp-knitted fabrics are used for seat covers, headliners, and interior trims. These fabrics offer excellent dimensional stability, resistance to wear and tear, and enhanced comfort, meeting the stringent requirements of the automotive industry.

Sports and Outdoor Textiles

Warp-knitted fabrics play a crucial role in the production of sportswear, outdoor gear, and technical textiles. The fabrics' moisture-wicking properties, breathability, and stretchability make them ideal for performance-oriented applications.

Warp Knitting vs. Weft Knitting

Warp knitting and weft knitting are two distinct methods of fabric production with notable differences.

Differences in Structure and Production

Warp knitting produces fabrics with a stable structure due to the intermeshing of warp yarns. Weft knitting, on the other hand, creates fabrics with a more elastic and stretchable structure. The production process of warp knitting involves multiple yarns, whereas weft knitting utilizes a single yarn.

Fabric Characteristics

Fabrics produced through warp knitting exhibit greater dimensional stability and less elongation compared to weft-knitted fabrics. Warp-knitted fabrics are generally stronger, have higher tear resistance, and display excellent shape retention.

Warp Knitting Machine Types

Warp knitting machines are available in different types, each designed for specific applications.

Tricot Machines

Tricot machines are widely used for producing fine and lightweight fabrics such as tulle, chiffon, and lace. These machines offer high-speed production capabilities and precise stitch control, resulting in high-quality fabrics suitable for apparel and intimate wear.

Raschel Machines

Raschel machines are employed for manufacturing heavy and textured fabrics used in applications like upholstery, outerwear, and technical textiles. These machines allow for the incorporation of additional yarns and complex stitches, offering versatility in fabric design.

Warp Knitting Yarns

Various types of yarns can be used in warp knitting, depending on the desired fabric characteristics and applications.

Types of Yarns Used in Warp Knitting

Common yarns for warp knitting include polyester, nylon, cotton, and their blends. Each yarn type offers distinct properties, such as strength, elasticity, moisture-wicking capabilities, and color fastness. The selection of yarn depends on the specific requirements of the fabric and end-use.

Considerations for Yarn Selection

When choosing yarns for warp knitting, factors such

as denier, filament count, twist, and fiber composition should be considered. These parameters impact the fabric's appearance, texture, strength, and performance. Careful yarn selection ensures the desired fabric quality and enhances the end product.

Warp Knitting Quality Control

Quality control plays a vital role in warp knitting to ensure the production of defect-free fabrics.

Monitoring Fabric Defects

Warp knitting machines are equipped with sensors and monitoring systems that detect defects during the knitting process. These defects may include loop irregularities, yarn breakages, or stitch inconsistencies. Early detection allows for immediate corrective actions, minimizing fabric waste and maintaining quality standards.

Testing and Inspection Methods

Various testing and inspection methods are employed to assess the quality of warp-knitted fabrics. These methods include fabric strength testing, dimensional stability analysis, color fastness evaluation, and visual inspection. Rigorous quality control measures guarantee that fabrics meet the required specifications and customer expectations.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting of Warp Knitting Machines

To ensure optimal performance and longevity of warp knitting machines, regular maintenance practices should be followed.

Regular Maintenance Practices

Maintenance tasks for warp knitting machines include cleaning, lubrication, and adjustment of components. Regular inspections and replacements of worn-out parts are essential to prevent machine breakdowns and maintain production efficiency. Proper maintenance also contributes to the consistent quality of fabrics.

Common Issues and Solutions

Warp knitting machines may encounter various issues during operation. Some common problems include yarn breakage, needle or sinker damage, and misalignment of guide bars. Troubleshooting these issues requires skilled technicians who can identify the root cause and implement appropriate solutions promptly.

Innovations and Future Trends in Warp Knitting

The field of warp knitting continues to evolve with technological advancements and innovative practices.

As the demand for sustainable textiles grows, manufacturers are exploring eco-friendly yarns and implementing energy-efficient production processes. Digital knitting technologies and computer-aided design systems are revolutionizing fabric design and customization.

The integration of smart textiles and wearable technology into warp-knitted fabrics opens up new possibilities for functional and interactive textiles.

In the future, we can expect further advancements in warp knitting, leading to improved fabric performance, increased automation, and enhanced design capabilities.

Conclusion

Warp knitting is a fascinating textile manufacturing process that offers numerous benefits and applications. Its efficient production, versatility in design, and high-quality fabrics make it a valuable technique in various industries. By understanding the warp knitting process, machine types, yarn selection, quality control measures, and maintenance practices, manufacturers can optimize their operations and create exceptional textiles.

Knit garments are fun to wear &#; and sew, once you get the hang of working with stretch knit fabric. But, how do you choose a knit fabric that&#;s just right for your next T-shirt, dress, or activewear?

This knit fabric guide will:

• Help you understand the characteristics of stretch knit fabric
• Give you knit fabric examples of the most-common knit fabrics used in garment sewing
• Teach you what to consider when choosing knit fabric yardage for a specific sewing project
• Allow you to discover the easiest knit fabrics for new sewers

This knit fabric guide may be a little more technical than others out on the interwebs, but I know sewists are smart cookies, and it&#;s my belief that the more you understand a topic, the less hesitant you are to jump into it. With this in mind, let&#;s master our medium! Prowess sewing stretchy fabric is within your grasp.

This post features affiliate links chosen for you. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support! &#;

What Type of Fabric is a Knit Fabric?

A textile made of looped yarn, either parallel to the grain or on the cross grain, is considered a knit fabric. Unlike woven fabric, which is created when yarn is interlaced at right angles, knit fabric can be created from one or more yarns.

Stretch knit fabric can be made of basically anything:

• Cotton
• Polyester
• Nylon
• Wool
• Acrylic
• Bamboo
• Linen
• Hemp
• Rayon
• Silk
• Even more! (Name a fiber, and it probably can be knit.)

And these fibers can be blended with each other, too! And many of these fibers are blended with spandex/Lycra/elastane for extra stretch.

Knit fabric comes in many different weights of fabric.

This table shows fabric weight measurements and knit fabric examples you might see while shopping for fabric.

A more practical way to assess knit fabric weights is to think about what the textile might be good for (e.g., knit fabric example):

Knit Fabric WeightImperial and Metric (Approximate)Good For&#;Fabric ExampleTop/LightweightUp to 4 oz/yd² / 130 gsm Light shirts, scarvesRayon jerseyMedium Weight4-9 oz/yd² / 130-300 gsmDresses, skirtsLiverpool jerseyBottom/Heavyweight9 oz/yd² / 300 gsm and upPants, jacketPonte di Roma

According to &#;The Fashion Designer&#;s Textile Directory,&#; (my fave book on fabric), characteristics of knitted fabrics include:

Desirable Characteristics of Knitted FabricsLess Desirable Characteristics of Knitted Fabrics-Faster manufacture compared to woven fabrics

-Looped stitches that allow the fabric to be softer, have more drape, and be easier to fit on the body

-Wide variety of surface texture and patterns-Looped stitches often snag

-Can stretch out of shape easily

-Not wind resistant due to looped stitches

Knit Fabric Examples

Before getting technical, let&#;s look at in which garments you might find different types of stretch knit fabric. I want you to see these not-woven fabric examples in your mind&#;s eye.

Knits for Pants

• Double-brushed polyester &#; leggings

• Ponte di Roma &#; &#;woven-look&#; knit pants

Knits for Tops

• Jersey &#; t-shirts

• Tubular knits &#; seamless t-shirts

• Ribbing &#; neckbands

• Jacquard &#; reversible sweater/cardigans (pattern is &#;negative&#; on reverse side)

• Pique &#; polo shirts

Knits for Dresses

• Interlock twist yard &#; wrinkle-resistant dresses

• Ponte di Roma &#; knit dresses with less drape, more structure

Knits for Activewear

• Tricot &#; slippery lining for swimwear

• Mesh &#; shorts

Warp vs. Weft Knit

There are two types of knits: warp and weft.

Warp is the straight grain, parallel to the selvage. Warp knits are made by looping stitches of yarn in the direction of the straight grain.

Weft is the cross grain, perpendicular to the grain/selvage. Weft knits are made by looping stitches of yarn in the direction of the cross grain.

Pro tip: I remember warp vs. weft by recalling that it&#;s WEFT to right. (Get it? Left to right = cross grain.)

Weft knits are stretchier than warp knits. That&#;s because weft fabrics are knit on the cross grain, which stretches more than the grain.

Warp fabrics are strong and stable. That&#;s because they&#;re knit in the direction of the grain.

Weft Knit Fabrics

Weft fabrics use knit (V-shaped) and purl (arch/bump-shaped) stitches, and the arrangement of these stitches determines a fabric&#;s name and characteristics.

Single Knit Fabrics

These fabrics are stretchy, especially if their fibers are blended with spandex.

• Jersey: I don&#;t think I&#;m going out on a limb when I say that jersey is the most-common knit fabric. The right side features tiny V&#;s (knit stitch), and the wrong side features tiny bumps/arches (called a purl stitch). This is T-shirt fabric.

• Double-Brushed Polyester: DBP is a jersey knit that&#;s been brushed on both sides for softness. It often has colorful prints and is popular for leggings.

Want more information on polyester warp knit fabric? Feel free to contact us.

• Interlock Twist Yarn (ITY) Knit: The yarn in ITY knits has an extra twist in it that gives the fabric more elasticity. ITY usually is a polyester blend and often features colorful prints. It&#;s drapey and has a bounce to it. It&#;s great for dresses.

• Drawn Textured Yarn (DTY) Knit: DTY is similar to ITY, but it has more body. It&#;s like a lightweight swimsuit fabric with less structure. It&#;s often brushed.

• Tubular Knits and Ribbing: These fabrics are knit in a circle; the yardage is sold in a loop. Ribbing is used for neckband, cuffs, and the like. Tubular knits can be made into seamless T-shirts.

Single and Double Knit Weft Fabrics

These fabrics can be single knits or double knits.

• Sweater Knits: Includes fine-gauge sweater knits (thinnest yarns), medium-weight sweater knits, heavyweight sweater knits (thickest yarns that often mimic handknits), and hacci knits. Hacci is a semi-open and more loopy knit.

• Jacquard Knit: This is a textured knit that features geometric or curved designs that are knitted &#; not embroidered, printed, or stamped &#; into the fabric. On the wrong side of the fabric, the knitting creates a negative of the design, which can make the fabric reversible. Note: Jacquard knits can be weft or warp.

Double Knit Fabrics

A double knit is two layers of fabric knitted together. Its two sides show knit V-shaped stitches, and the purl stitches (on the wrong sides) are locked together.

• Interlock: Looks like the right side of jersey (knit-stitch V&#;s) on BOTH sides. It&#;s lightweight but more rigid than single-knit jersey; good for dresses that don&#;t need a ton of drape.

• Rib: Features alternating high and low rows of knit and purl stitches to create &#;ribs.&#; More ribs = more elasticity. Rib knits and ribbing are not the same. Good for more curve-hugging garments.

• Pointelle: Pointelle has open-spaced patterns, which usually are geometric. It&#;s common in lingerie and baby clothes.

• Thermal: These are knits with the square &#;waffle&#; pattern. Often layered to trap body heat in cold weather. This is long john fabric.

• Ponte di Roma: This stable bottom weight is soft and can have varied surface textures. Ponte doesn&#;t drape well, but it&#;s easy to cut and sew. Good for pants, skirts, lightish jackets.

• Pique: Usually medium weight, double-knit pique is what polo shirts are made of. You could describe the texture as pebbly, honeycomb, or waffle.

• Matte Jersey: High-twist crêpe yarns give this fabric a pebbly, crêpey texture. It&#;s drapey and easy to sew. Try it for dresses and skirts.

• Liverpool: Sometimes called bullet fabric because of its bumpy, crêpey texture. The wrong side of this medium-drape knit is smooth. A cousin of this fabric is fukuro, which has a crinkley, bubbly stripe texture. Fukuro fabric can be jacquard, metallic, or otherwise sparkly or special occasion-ish.

• Double-Faced (Reversible): Double knits sort of have two &#;right&#; sides because of how they&#;re made. A double-faced knit has a &#;wrong&#; side that&#;s as appealing as the &#;right&#; side.

• Scuba: It&#;s a stable mid-weight double knit that&#;s easy to cut and sew, and it often comes in vibrant prints. Scuba knit is smooth and moderately slippery. FYI: Techno knit is similar to scuba but lighter weight and drapier. Both these knits are sometimes called neoprene.

Looped Pile Fabrics

These knits have an extra set of yarns added to create loops.

• French Terry: Knit V-shaped stitches on the right side and loops on the wrong side. This is hoodie fabric.

Cut/Sheared Pile Fabrics

Same as looped pile knits, except loops are sheared.

• Polar Fleece. The right side of polar fleece is cut, and the wrong side is brushed for softness and warmth. The brushed side is prone to pilling. Wonderful for pullovers, cardis that don&#;t need drape.

• Velour: The right side of velour is a soft, deep-cut pile, and the wrong side is an unnapped knit. Velour can be knit or woven, but only velvet can be woven. Velvet has a longer pile than velour. Weft-knit velour is stretchier than warp-knit velour.

• Faux Fur: Cut pile (on the right side) imitates fur. The wrong side is knitted.

• Sweatshirt Fleece: Has a right side with V-shaped knit stitches, and on the wrong side is a cut pile that&#;s been brushed to create soft, warm fleece.

Warp Knit Fabrics

Warp knits do not use knit or purl stitches.

Tricot Knit Fabrics

Pronounced &#;TREE-koh,&#; not &#;TRY-cot.&#;

• Tricot: With this knit, the right-side stitches are 90 degrees to the wrong-side stitches. You&#;ll find tricot used for lining, lingerie, swimwear, and activewear.

• Mesh: A fabric that&#;s mostly holes! Common in activewear and lingerie.

Raschel Knit Fabrics

Raschel knit is an open-work fabric knit on the warp.

• Elastic Power Mesh: Stretchy and constrictive. The holes in power mesh provide airflow and make the fabric lightweight. Common in bras.

• Netting: Open surfaced and lightweight. Helps skirts stand away from the body.

• Point D&#;espirit: This netting, with flecks of texture, is used in veils and fascinators.

• Tulle: Tulle netting is made with fine yarn and has very small holes. It&#;s similar to netting, in that it helps give garments overall volume.

• Mass-Market Lace: Usually very lightweight but strong on the grain. The texture of this lace is flat.

Looped Pile Fabrics

See above for a photo.

• French Terry: Smooth, flat stitches on the right side and loops on the wrong side.

Cut/Sheared Pile Fabrics

See above for photos.

• Velour: The right side of velour is a soft, deep-cut pile, and the wrong side is unnapped and smooth. Velour can be knit or woven, but only velvet can be woven. Warp-knit velour is less stretchy than weft-knit velour.

• Faux Fur: Cut pile (on the right side) imitates fur. The wrong side is smooth.

• Sweatshirt Fleece: Has a right side that&#;s smooth, and on the wrong side is a cut pile that&#;s been brushed to create soft, warm fleece.

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How to Choose a Knit Fabric: Questions You Must Ask

Choosing a knit fabric can happen without a pattern in mind (yes to stash building mode!). Obviously, if you&#;re shopping for a stretch knit fabric for a specific pattern, refer to recommended fabrics and stretch percentage (more on that in a minute!) for the pattern before putting down your cash.

That said, the following questions can help you choose a knit fabric ANY time you see yardage that catches your eye. Record you knit-fabric findings and save them with your yardage. Your future self will thank you!

own research and sewing a muslin to make sure you get what you need out of your fabric choice.

1.) What is this Fabric&#;s Stretch Profile?

What&#;s the No. 1 reason we love knit fabric? Because it S-T-R-E-T-C-H-E-S! So, if stretch is good, how much stretch is best? Let&#;s learn to describe and quantify the stretch of knit fabric.

First, let&#;s describe knit fabric stretch direction. We want to know if the fabric stretches on the warp (grain) and weft (cross grain).

A fabric that only stretches on the warp OR on the weft has two-way stretch (up and down OR left and right). In general, two-way stretch refers to stretch on the weft (aka, width).

A fabric that stretches on the warp AND on the weft has four-way stretch &#; up, down, left, AND right. (Four-way stretch sometimes is called &#;all-ways stretch.&#;)

A four-way stretch fabric is good for jersey fabric patterns with negative ease, e.g., swimwear, leggings. Think about garments that expand to accommodate your body volume.

A two-way stretch fabric is good for sewing patterns that require more stretch in one direction vs. the other direction. For example, think of a pullover that needs to expand left and right to accommodate your shoulders but doesn&#;t need to stretch (much) to accommodate the length of your torso.

How to Calculate Stretch Percentage for Knit Fabric

Now that you know how to describe a knit fabric&#;s stretch direction, let&#;s get into how to calculate stretch percentage. THis is a tactile AND math-y exercise.

You need a piece of the fabric for the stretch percentage test &#; a rectangle 4 to 6 inches long with the long edge either parallel to OR perpendicular to the grain (selvage). In my experience, I&#;ve usually tested stretch percentage on the cross grain (weft).

Hold the long edge of the fabric rectangle along a ruler WITHOUT stretching it. Record its unstretched length. Now, hold one end of the rectangle and stretch the other end to its reasonable limit. (I stretch the fabric to the max I&#;d be comfortable wearing it as a garment.) Record the stretched length.

Here&#;s the stretch percentage formula:

Stretch Percentage = ((Stretched Length &#; Original Length) / Original Length) x 100

For example, pretend I had a rectangle that was 6 inches unstretched and 8 inches stretched.

((8 inches &#; 6 inches) / 6 inches) x 100 = 33 percent stretch

A couple of notes about stretch percentage:

&#;> 1.) Stretchier is better.

It&#;s better to have too much stretch than too little stretch. For example, if you have a pattern that calls for 50 percent stretch and your fabric has 75 percent stretch, your garment won&#;t be baggy, but there will be less tension on fabric as you wear your article of clothing.

To compare, the same pattern made with fabric with 33 percent stretch might not expand enough to go over your body, and if it does, it probably will feel like a rubber band that&#;s stretched too tight. (We no likey.)

&#;> 2.) Understand recovery time.

Stretch knit fabric recovery describes how a fabric snaps back into shape after it&#;s been stretched. Have you ever had a fitted T-shirt bag out in the bust or armpits after you wore it? The recovery for that garment was less-than desirable. So, to get an idea about knit fabric recovery, do your stretch percentage test and pay attention to how the fabric bounces back.

A fabric has good recovery if it quickly returns to its original length and shape after stretching. Usually knits with spandex content have better recovery vs. knits without spandex. But, test and see, and think through how knit fabric recovery plays with your intended garment. The more fitted the garment is, the more important recovery is (especially if the sewing pattern has negative ease).

2.) Can I See Through This Stretch Knit Fabric?

When you consider a fabric&#;s weight, don&#;t forget to check if it&#;s see-through under different circumstances.

Hold up one layer of fabric to a window; is it transparent?

Now stretch the single layer; how do different tensions impact transparency? For example, if you&#;re making a garment with negative ease (e.g., leggings), will they be sheer as they stretch over your body?

We don&#;t want a Lululemon situation.

3.) Will this Knit Fabric Pill?

Knit fabric pilling on a me-made garment is such a bummer. Knits are so fun to wear, but wearing a knit garment with pilling is so not the look.

Fabric pills are caused by abrasion that breaks yarns. The yarns tangle together and&#; ta-da, a fabric pill.

Abrasion comes from regular wear and tear on a garment &#; for example, the side of a shirt rubbing against the underside of sleeves &#; and from a garment rubbing against another garment during laundering.

To avoid pilling, choose a knit fabric that&#;s made from one fiber: cotton, linen, etc.

When fibers are blended, one fiber usually is stronger than the other. The weaker fiber breaks and wraps around the stronger fiber, creating a pill.

When a single-fiber knit fabric isn&#;t a good option for you, you can keep knit fabric from pilling (or pilling less) by:

• Turning your knit garments inside out when they&#;re washed
• Washing your knit clothes in small loads on a gentle cycle
• Washing your knit garments with like clothes, e.g., T-shirts with other T-shirts, not heavyweight denim overalls that could rub your knits too aggressively

4.) Does this Fabric Need Lining?

Sometimes you look at a stretch knit fabric and declare it needs lining to counteract transparency, prevent clinging, or something else I haven&#;t thought of.

When lining a knit stretch fabric, I suggest:

• Self-lining with the same fabric. That way, you know how the fabric will behave (vs. buddying up two fabrics that might not play nice together). If self-lining is for you, be sure to buy extra fabric!

• Power mesh. Be aware that there are different levels of compression when it comes to power mesh. Sewlebrity Mimi G has a video tutorial about how to add mesh to a bodycon skirt. Plus you can get power mesh in nude &#; perfect for linings!

This forum convo on PatternReview.com has some great talk about HOW to line knit fabric. Tactics recommended include:

• Lining a shirt: Sew the lining to the neckline, right sides together. Flip the lining to the wrong side and topstitch.

• Lining a sleeveless shirt: Use the burrito method (it&#;s too complicated to cover in this post!).

As for lining a skirt or pants, I say attach the lining at the waist and let it hang loose.

Use your paper pattern pieces to create fabric lining pieces, i.e., front skirt pattern piece to cut out the front skirt lining fabric. And because most knits don&#;t fray, it&#;s likely you don&#;t have to finish the hems or seam allowances of a lining.

What is the Easiest Knit Fabric to Sew for Beginners?

The best knit fabric for beginners is something that:

• Doesn&#;t roll at the raw edges. Cutting fabric that rolls at the edge is a pain.

• Isn&#;t slippery. Matte fabric is easier to handle at your sewing machine, serger, and sewing table; it won&#;t slip to the floor.

• Isn&#;t exceptionally stretchy. It&#;s all-too easy for the seams of super-stretchy fabric to be stretched out of shape while stitching.

To get comfortable sewing knits, I suggest starting with a medium or bottom weight double knit, such as scuba, interlock, or Ponte di Roma, and making a skirt (because they&#;re often easy to fit).

The Colette Mabel (or something like it) is a wonderful primer into the wild world of knit fabric. Most double knits will be relatively easy fabrics to sew. When in doubt, get a small amount of yardage and play around with it before going all in on a pattern or fashion fabric.

Build on your success with a woven-ish knit before moving to a thin knit fabric such as rayon jersey. And even then, go for a simple sewing pattern, such as Sie Macht&#;s Cass T-shirt, with few, straight seams.

Knit fabrics come in an epic number of fiber content, drape, weight, and cost combinations. It can make even a seasoned sewist feel overwhelmed. However, when you match the right knit with the right pattern to achieve maximum comfort and style, all the rigmarole around choosing a knit fabric is worth it!

Over to you: I gotta know &#; which of the knit fabrics listed were new to you? I had never heard of Liverpool before, and big-time online fabric store Girl Charlee sells a ton of it. Also: What knit fabric do YOU recommend for rookie sewists? Please leave a comment! Thanks for reading.

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If you are looking for more details, kindly visit knitted fabric manufacturer.