Jersey

A warm and flexible option predominantly used for clothing as well as bedding and home decor items.

Composition

Jersey fabric is composed of either 100% cotton or a smaller percentage of cotton along with a synthetic blend of materials. Because of its durability, the fabric is soft and stretchable, which translates to easy moving by all who wear it. Jersey is also known for its comfort which is attributed to its layers of cotton that are woven in small stitches to give it its characteristic smooth feel.

When woven, single-knit jersey fabric contains both a soft side and a rougher piled side. Double-knitted jersey combines single pieces of fabric which results in two smooth surfaces, the piled sides knitted towards the inside. Double-knitted jersey does not have the same flexibility as single-knit and is often used in heavier garments and products.

Uses for Jersey

Jersey fabrics are used in a wide variety of clothing, home goods and decorative items. Due to its movement and comfort, clothing manufacturers use it when creating casual wear clothing. The wearable fabric also has a "tighter" feel, yet it remains comfortable to all who wear it.
Jersey is often used to manufacture T-shirts and draped, stretchy knit dresses as well as any type of casual wear that requires a certain level of casual comfort. The winter months are the ideal time to wear jersey fabrics close to the body because of their warmth and insulating properties. In addition, home goods manufacturers use jersey fabrics to create soft bedding, perfectly fit for a comfortable night's sleep.

Sewing

Since cotton shrinks, it's important to prewash jersey before using it for any sewing projects. When selecting patterns, choose those created specifically for jersey knits as the stretching could create some difficulty. To ward against overstretching, use pins and a double layer of stitching when applying patterns and sewing with the fabric.

Care

Jersey fabrics can last for a long time if cared for properly. Take special note of whether the fabric is composed of synthetic materials as this will slightly alter the instructions. For general care, use warm water (cold if colors are bright) and wash jersey fabrics with like colors and dry them on a low to medium heat setting. A high heat may shrink the fabric especially if it is fully composed of cotton.

Jersey fabric is a common staple of many popular industries. And because of its wearable comfort and soft, stretchable feel, it will continue to be a top choice for comfort seekers around the globe.