Jersey Knit

Jersey Knit Manufacture

Jersey Knit is mainly used in the production of clothing. It was originally made from Wool, but is now predominantly made using Cotton. Silk, Viscose and many other yarns or yarn blends can also be used.

Jersey fabric is usually made on a knitting machine as it is a very fine knit, and too delicate and complex to make using Hand knitting. Like most knitted fabrics, Jersey has a right side and a wrong side; it curls up at the edges and stretches well.  Jersey fabric has a series of vertical lines running down the right side of the fabric, this is how the right side and wrong side are established.

Jersey fabric gets its name from the Island of Jersey, which is part of the Channel Islands. This is where the fabric was produced as early as medieval times. Jersey fabric is usually a single knit fabric. The reverse side of the fabric can be brushed to create an even softer, warmer fabric. Jersey can also be double knitted, creating a heavier fabric with no wrong side. This is usually used for edging garments.

Properties of Jersey Knit

• Versatile
• Very Stretchy
• Comfortable to wear
• Keeps its shape well
• Good Drape
• Warm Flexible
• Insulating
• Definite right side and wrong side
• Does not fray like woven fabrics
• Curls up at the edges
• Available in many colours and patterns
• Soft
• Lightweight
• Easy to care for

End Uses of Jersey Knit

• T-Shirts
• Usually used as the layer worn closest to the body and it is very insulating
• Dresses
• Clingy Items
• Sportswear
• Pyjama
• Underwear
• Hosiery
• Baby Clothes
• In 1916 Coco Chanel caused outrage by using Jersey in her collection. During this time it was used exclusively for underwear so this was seen as quite ‘Shocking.’