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Polyester & Synthetic Jersey Fabric

The heavier end of knitted cloth, for jumpers, cardigans, dresses and unstructured jackets rather than t-shirts. You'll find sweater knits and cable knits with a hand-knitted look, ponte and double knits with real body, brushed sweatshirting, scuba and knitted coatings, in polyester and acrylic blends that hold their shape, wash easily and don't need drying flat the way a wool knit does.
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Polyester jersey is a broad family of knitted fabrics, ranging from lightweight, fluid dress jerseys to firmer and more substantial knits. Polyester is also frequently blended with fibres such as viscose, cotton, nylon and elastane to alter the handle, stretch, drape and weight of the finished cloth. This collection brings those fabrics together with acrylic and other synthetic knits that don't naturally fall within our cotton or viscose jersey ranges.

There's plenty of variety within the collection. Smooth and fluid jerseys work particularly well for dresses, tops and skirts, while firmer knits can offer more structure for trousers, fitted dresses and jackets. You'll also find textured and brushed fabrics, sweater and cable knits, velour, scuba and other synthetic knitted fabrics. Weight, stretch and handle can vary considerably, so it's worth checking the individual fabric description before deciding which one will work best for your project.

Polyester, acrylic and synthetic jersey fabrics

Polyester is widely used for jersey because it's versatile, durable and holds its shape well. Depending on how the fabric has been knitted and finished, it can be smooth and slinky, soft and brushed, structured or heavily textured. Acrylic tends to have a warmer, wool-like handle and is often found in sweater knits and other cosy knitted fabrics. Blended jerseys combine different fibres to create particular qualities, whether that's extra stretch, softness, drape or stability.

Sewing polyester and synthetic jersey

  • Choose a ballpoint, jersey or stretch needle to suit the particular fabric.
  • A narrow zigzag or stretch stitch allows seams to move with stretchy knitted cloth.
  • An overlocker can be useful but isn't essential for sewing jersey fabric.
  • Test your stitch, needle and tension on a scrap first, particularly with fine, slinky or heavily textured knits.
  • Check the stretch, weight and recovery of the individual fabric before choosing your pattern.

Choosing the right jersey fabric

If you're looking specifically for natural-fibre jerseys, see our cotton jersey fabric and viscose jersey fabric collections. For more stable knits with plenty of body, browse our ponte roma fabric. For casualwear, hoodies and warmer layers, take a look at our sweatshirt fabric. Always check the individual product page for composition, weight, stretch and washing instructions, as these vary from fabric to fabric.

What is sweater knit fabric?

Sweater knit is a mid-weight to heavy knitted cloth with a raised, textured surface that looks like hand knitting. It's used for jumpers, cardigans and relaxed dresses, and it behaves quite differently from a lightweight jersey, holding its shape rather than clinging.

What's the difference between knitted fabric and jersey?

Jersey is one type of knitted fabric, usually light and drapey with a smooth face. Knitted fabric is the broader term and includes ponte, sweater knits, cable knits, scuba and knitted coatings, which are heavier and more stable. The cloth on this page is at the heavier end.

Is acrylic fabric warm?

Yes. Acrylic is a synthetic fibre made to behave like wool, so it traps air and holds warmth well for its weight. It's less breathable than wool, which makes it better suited to outer layers than to something worn directly against the skin.

Do you need an overlocker to sew knitted fabric?

No. A narrow zigzag or a built-in stretch stitch on an ordinary machine will do the job, and the seam will still stretch. What matters more is using a ballpoint or jersey needle so the fabric doesn't ladder, and a walking foot if the knit is thick.

How do you wash acrylic and polyester knitted fabric?

Most wash at 30 degrees on a normal cycle and dry quickly, but check the individual product page and the care label first. Keep tumble drying cool or skip it, since heat can flatten a textured knit and set creases that are hard to press out.

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