Fabric Descriptions
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ITY (Interlock Twist Yarn) Knits - This new addition to the fabric world has been a long time coming. An innovative "twist" on knitting gives this fabric excellent drape, stretch and recovery. It will not pill, cling or wrinkle. Some of these fabrics can have a slight crepe texture which is very nice. It accepts color perfectly and holds on to it wash after wash. It is a very stable fabric that is easy to cut, sew and holds a press. Great for dresses, skirts, pants, tops and jackets. It offers snappy recovery, so add a bit of extra seam allowance to your side seams and baste first to check ease.
Cotton Lycra Knits - Mid-weight interlock knit. This fabric has lots of body and offers little drape. It retains its shape and is great for exercise garments, pull on pants, A-line skirts and fitted tops. Great stretch and " snappy” recovery! Cotton/LYCRA knit has been a favorite fabric of mine for 25 years! It makes wonderful pants, jackets, and tops. It is not known for it draping qualities, but for its stability. It is great to work with, holds its shape, wears well and is super comfortable. It is not recommended for use as a self-lining as it will make the garment be too snappy (tight)! It would be OK as a self-ling if you allow extra ease.
Lightweight Cotton Lycra Knits - Lightweight interlock knit. This fabric is nice when you want a lightweight fabric that is cotton. It is a stable fabric that offers some drape. It works well as a self-lining and makes great tops. It is not clingy and is very soft and comfortable to wear.
Rayon Lycra Jersey Knits - Top and double-layer weight. Also great for full skirts, pajama pants, and "skimming" a line style dresses. Beautiful drape and softness. Great stretch and soft recovery makes this fabric a comfortable fit. This is THE choice for tops, especially for self-lined tops. Anytime a fabric can be used as a double layer and eliminate most, if not all topstitching, that is a good thing!. This makes the construction a breeze, the fit and feel of the garment better, and the look more professionally finished.
Print Knits - Light to mid-weight stretch knits with drape. Great for tops, skirts, dresses, jackets with drape and self-lined garments. Most of the print fabrics offered here fall into the ITY category. The others are a different variety of rayon/LYCRA jersey, and are similar in their qualities to ITY except they tend to have more of a smooth finish. Larger prints make excellent tops that have vertical seaming, swing type jackets/dresses and great skirts. Smaller prints work nicely for most garments. These prints will not disappoint. They are all fabulous!
Lining Fabrics - All-way super stretch knit. The knit is a perfect lining option for tops when you don’t want to use the same fabric for the lining. Also saves frustration when trying to achieve a nice topstitch on a single layer fabric. Adds stability and weight to lightweight fabrics and gives a professional finish.
Matte Jersey Knits – Dress, pant and skirt weight knit. Very snappy recovery knit, and not a lot of stretch, this fabric is great for dresses and garments that need to retain a perfect shape. Nice medium, stable drape.
Need help deciding which fabrics to order? What pattern to use? Call or e-mail Christine for help.