How much do you know about the different types of knit fabrics?
Recently I bought a piece of Ponte di Roma fabric. I didn't really know what it would be like but it was a plain color and that's what I wanted.
It turns out I was very impressed working with the fabric. It has medium stretch and a very stable fabric. The dress I sewed with it turned out lovely!
Here is a description of the fabric from the Fabrics Galore website: This soft and sturdy fabric is a double-knit material, which essentially means there are two layers of fabric knitted together with two sets of needles. Ponte Roma is a thicker fabric, with a slight horizontal ribbed appearance, and is available in lightweight, midweight and heavyweight varieties.
This fabric is great for beginners or those that have a hard time working with knit fabrics.
Liverpool knit fabric is a double knit, poly spandex blend. It is textured on the right side of the fabric and smooth on the wrong side.
This fabric is less stretchy than other knits, is generally 2-way stretch and is more structured and less flowy.
Since it is more structured than other knits, Liverpool fabric is easier to work with than other less structured fabrics.
It is the perfect fabric for beginners or those that find sewing more difficult.
Below is a description of one of my favorite types of knit fabric for my most comfortable dresses! 😊
Double brushed knit is a polyester and spandex blend that has 4 way stretch. It has gone through treatment that brushes the surface of the fabric giving it a suede look and feels incredibly soft.
You can get this fabric in single brushed, which is brushed on one side of the fabric or double brushed, which is brushed on both sides of the fabric.
Double brushed knit fabric is drapey and has good stretch and recovery. Double brushed knit is not as stable as Liverpool or Ponte de Roma knits but is not difficult for experienced sewists to work with.
For best results in using double brushed knit use a stretch needle and polyester thread.
ITY stands for interlock twist yarn which is a method of giving the yarn a twist as the fabric is created which increases the stretch and durability of the fabric. The fabric is made with a polyester and spandex blend and is soft to the touch with lots of drape. ITY knit comes in 2-way or 4-way stretch and vibrant colors.
ITY fabric is also heavy so I find that I need to take in seams when I use patterns I have used on other stretch fabrics. The fabric is also slippery so sewing it is more difficult and I would recommend it for experienced sewists.
A tip I found when working with ITY fabric is to sew with some tissue paper between the needle and fabric. This gives some stability and the tissue paper can easily be torn away once the seam is finished.
Using ball point pins and machine needles helps a lot when sewing with knits. Using ball point or stretch needles avoids skipped stitches.
Which is your favorite fabric to use? Feel free to leave a comment and let me know! 😊
FREE Dress Pattern
Where should we send the pattern?
Get on the waitlist
Cutting out a pattern from fabric is the first, most important step of the sewing project. It’s so important because it’s where everything starts and determines the end result. Before cutting out a sewing project you first need to prepare your pattern and fabric, then lay out the pattern to ensure the pieces fit and
Read MoreMorning routines are such a great way to get the day started. But what if it just doesn’t feel like the routine you have is working? It worked when you started but for some reason it’s not working now. It doesn’t bring satisfaction, it doesn’t accomplish what it used to, and it just feels like
Read MoreHow can I save time when sewing? How can I get sewing done but not take so much time with it? To save time in sewing begin by pre-washing fabric, collecting all supplies together ahead of time, and removing distractions. This prepares you for the best sewing experience, besides other successful strategies for sewing efficiently.
Read MoreWhen it comes to sewing your own clothes, some of the benefits seem like a no-brainer while other benefits require some digging to find them. I had to dig a bit to find some of the benefits because I have been sewing my own dresses and other things for most of my life. Sewing your
Read MoreSewing a dress is so much easier with the right tools. And the right tools aren’t necessarily so fancy or complicated. The most used sewing tools in sewing dresses are basically, but not limited to, a pair of scissors, stick pins, and a tape measure. These tools ensure an efficient sewing experience as well as
Read MoreIt’s an hour before mealtime and you don’t know what you are going to cook. A half hour goes by and your mind is still a blank. Now panic starts to set it. WHAT to cook? Make a plan. It’s that simple. Truly. A menu plan for the week. The simplest way to create a
Read MoreSewing Your Dress
6 important steps to get started
Where should we send your FREE checklist?