Jersey & knit fabrics and terminology help please! | Sewing Advice & Techniques

Beccie

Hi all

Please can I get advice on the differences between "sweatshirting" "french terry" and "jersey". I've not sewn a lot of knits but I'm getting an overlocker so that I can more easily work with knits but I get befuddled with terminology of knit fabrics (& weights!) For example what fabric & weight should I be looking for to sew a tshirt? And then for sweatshirt/joggers lounge wear? And some are 2-way stretch, some 4-way stretch. What's the difference and examples of garments for both types! I know I'm asking many many questions but I will be so grateful for a steer! Thank you ☺️

2 months ago

Community Member Mandie B

Hi all
Please can I get advice on the differences between "sweatshirting" "french terry" and "jersey". I've not sewn a lot of knits but I'm getting an overlocker so that I can more easily work with knits but I get befuddled with terminology of knit fabrics (& weights!) For example what fabric & weight should I be looking for to sew a tshirt? And then for sweatshirt/joggers lounge wear? And some are 2-way stretch, some 4-way stretch. What's the difference and examples of garments for both types! I know I'm asking many many questions but I will be so grateful for a steer! Thank you ☺️
Beccie - 2 months ago

Hi Beccie!

Jersey tends to be the lighter end of the scale, suitable for tshirts etc. You can then get different fibres making up the jersey so cotton, viscose and bamboo are 3 examples of this. Cotton jersey tends to be the most structured of those 3, viscose jersey is more slinky and slippery and bamboo is usually very very soft, gorgeous for sleep wear but also drapy enough for a dress if it's thick enough.

French terry is the next thickest, you may have seen this before on thinner jumpers or sweatpants - it usually has lots of loops on the back of it!

Sweatshirting is exactly what it says on the tin, the thick snuggly sweatshirt fabric, usually with a fleecy or fluffy back to it.

2 way stretch means it stretches across the fabric but not lengthways (most rtw tshirts would usually be a 2 way). 4 way stretch means it stretches both lengthways and width ways, one example of this would be swimsuit fabric

Hope that helps ;)

2 months ago

Beccie

Hi Beccie!
Jersey tends to be the lighter end of the scale, suitable for tshirts etc. You can then get different fibres making up the jersey so cotton, viscose and bamboo are 3 examples of this. Cotton jersey tends to be the most structured of those 3, viscose jersey is more slinky and slippery and bamboo is usually very very soft, gorgeous for sleep wear but also drapy enough for a dress if it's thick enough.
French terry is the next thickest, you may have seen this before on thinner jumpers or sweatpants - it usually has lots of loops on the back of it!
Sweatshirting is exactly what it says on the tin, the thick snuggly sweatshirt fabric, usually with a fleecy or fluffy back to it.
2 way stretch means it stretches across the fabric but not lengthways (most rtw tshirts would usually be a 2 way). 4 way stretch means it stretches both lengthways and width ways, one example of this would be swimsuit fabric
Hope that helps ;)
Mandie B - 2 months ago

Oh my goodness Mandie THANK YOU! You have completely explained and answered my questions. I'm so grateful you taking the time to answer. This is all so helpful. The descriptions are exactly what I needed to understand about what fabric I'm looking at and for especially on line. Thank you 😍 I'm very grateful x

2 months ago

Admin SewHayleyJane

This is a very timely question as I am in the process of filming a YouTube video about fabrics perfect for making sweatshirts and jumpers! Mandie has done a great job of explaining though!

2 months ago

Community Member Mandie B

Oh my goodness Mandie THANK YOU! You have completely explained and answered my questions. I'm so grateful you taking the time to answer. This is all so helpful. The descriptions are exactly what I needed to understand about what fabric I'm looking at and for especially on line. Thank you 😍 I'm very grateful x
Beccie - 2 months ago

So pleased it was helpful :) what are you planning to make? Xx

2 months ago

Beccie

This is a very timely question as I am in the process of filming a YouTube video about fabrics perfect for making sweatshirts and jumpers! Mandie has done a great job of explaining though!
SewHayleyJane - 2 months ago

Fantastic Hayley! I'll look forward to watching it :)

2 months ago

Beccie

So pleased it was helpful :) what are you planning to make? Xx
Mandie B - 2 months ago

There's a Beyond Nine coord I love in blush pink. Boxy sweatshirt top and the bottoms are ankle length slightly curved, so a little elevated from normal joggers. But they're pricy (£150 for the two pieces) I want to try and made a dupe and have bought the yo-yo knit top and Geoffrey knit pant patterns from style arc but the fabric type was flummoxing me. After your help and insight yesterday I've ordered a few samples of sweartshirting to find the weight & feel to use in the make. But first I'll need to wait to sew until I get my overlocker (saving up to buy at the stitch festival) as having recently made up a couple of Vivaldi sweaters using cable knit I need the overlocker! I'm also keen to make T-shirts for summer :) xx

2 months ago

Admin SewHayleyJane

Sounds like some very exciting plans Beccie!! Can't wait to see them

2 months ago

Beccie

Sounds like some very exciting plans Beccie!! Can't wait to see them
SewHayleyJane - 2 months ago

😘

2 months ago

Community Member Mandie B

There's a Beyond Nine coord I love in blush pink. Boxy sweatshirt top and the bottoms are ankle length slightly curved, so a little elevated from normal joggers. But they're pricy (£150 for the two pieces) I want to try and made a dupe and have bought the yo-yo knit top and Geoffrey knit pant patterns from style arc but the fabric type was flummoxing me. After your help and insight yesterday I've ordered a few samples of sweartshirting to find the weight & feel to use in the make. But first I'll need to wait to sew until I get my overlocker (saving up to buy at the stitch festival) as having recently made up a couple of Vivaldi sweaters using cable knit I need the overlocker! I'm also keen to make T-shirts for summer :) xx
Beccie - 2 months ago

Oh what a fab idea! I hope they end up exactly as you envisage them!

I see lots of people recreate looks they've spotted in the shops, I need to start window shopping for inspiration!

2 months ago

Sew_La_tea

The stitch sisters have a fantastic series on fabric on their YouTube. I miss them so much it was my favorite sewing channel and I learned so much about fabric from their videos.

1 month ago