What is single jersey fabric?

Single knit jersey is a type of knitted fabric with a single layer of jersey knitting. The front side has a smooth, single rib-knit while the backside is made of looped stitching. It can be made from various materials, but the most popular are cotton, cotton blend or synthetic blends. 

It is thinner and breezier than double knit jersey. It is created using a different type of machine than double knit jersey. Where double knit jersey is two wefts interwoven together, single jersey fabric is a single weft. Double knit jersey has two smooth surfaces where single knit jersey is only smooth on the top side.

Single jersey fabric is easy to maintain because of its many qualities. It’s less prone to wrinkles. and keeps it’s shape easily because of the stretchy quality. It is also less resistant to odors and easy to clean.

It can be used for a variety of clothing designs and household items. The stretchy soft quality makes it ideal for clothing and bedding production. It is popular for clothing because it is comfortable against the skin and lightweight yet durable. Another popular option is bedsheets because it stays wrinkle-free and soft.

How is single knit jersey made?

Single knit jersey can be made by hand or machine. For industrial, large scale production, a machine called a circular knitting machine is used. It has a cylindrical needle bed, like the one used for double knit, only with a single bed of needles. It also has an element called the pattern wheel, which helps guide the pattern of the fabric.

This type of fabric is made using cotton, cotton blend or synthetic blends. The fibers of these materials are made into yarn, and this is fed into the knitting machine. It’s guided from the spool into the knitting zone then knitted into the pattern.

To create the jersey knit, there is one row of needles, unlike the two that are required for the double jersey. Since single knit jersey is a single-sided fabric, it has only one layer. The single row of latch hook needles in the machine creates the stitching in a sequence of loops in the material

The stitching of a single layer of fabric is done by the needles stitching row after row to create the fabric. The final product is a structure with close-knitted yarn. It has a smooth side on the top layer. The backside has a series of loops.

Once it is complete, it undergoes other stages to provide specific treatments or colors. The dying process is performed on a large machine. It then follows inspection and laboratory tests to ensure quality. Factories often have on-site experts to determine the quality and standards of the fabric before it’s ready to ship.

Categories of single knit jersey

Single knit jersey can be made from three types of material: 100% cotton, cotton blend and synthetic blend. There are various uses for each type of material that has benefits and are ideal for different garments or household items, but all are uniquely soft, durable and stretchy.

The 100% cotton single knit jersey is made from natural, environmental-friendly materials. It has a strong knitted structure that attributes to its durability. It has some stretch but will not keep its shape like other more elastic fibers. However, it’s flexible, breathable and drapes well. It’s absorbent and ideal for wearing in cooler weather.

The cotton blend single knit jersey is made up of cotton and additional synthetic material. It could be nylon, spandex and other synthetic fibers. The ratio of cotton to synthetic material used will determine what characteristics the fabric will have. It can be customized for color and weight. It has excellent air permeability and has light to heavy weight. The absorbancy and moisture-wicking traits make it a good choice for clothing.

Synthetic blend single knit jersey has no cotton. It can be made of a blend of high-quality synthetic materials like rayon, polyester,spandex and model... This stretchy fabric is highly flexible and can be light to heavy weight depending on the makeup of the blend. It's air permeable, quickly dries and moisture-wicking. If the edges of the material are cut, it will not fray. It can be a random cut and fits well for any form.

Uses of single knit jersey

Single knit jersey has many attractive qualities that make it ideal for clothing and household items. It is soft and comfortable to wear. Depending on the fibers used to create the single knit jersey fabric determines the best use.

The thicker, heavier cotton single knit jersey fabric offers a comfortable option for warm weather. It’s soft and durable structure also makes it a great option for sheets. It is the least stretchy of the other fabrics, but it is still a high-quality fabric made from raw, natural material. It’s a good option for casual clothing, household items like towels and bedsheets, and underwear.

When cotton and synthetic fibers are blended to make the single knit jersey, it gives a more stretchy quality. Since it has more than 90% cotton, it still has a solid structure and heft that this type of fabric offers. It’s smooth and soft to the touch, which gives it a good drape and feel. It has moisture-wicking, air permeability and absorbent properties. This makes it ideal for underwear, tank tops, casual tops, children’s clothing, pajamas and household items.

Synthetic blend single knit jersey has many favorable features. It drapes really well. Its four-way stretch gives it resiliency, allowing it to conform to any form without enduring stress. The fabric dries quickly and can be cleaned easily. It’s moisture-wicking and has excellent air permeability. These top features make it ideal for gym apparel, yoga pants and athletic clothing.

Single knit jersey fabric is a sturdy structured fabric that offers a variety of benefits. It’s a top choice for a plethora of sewing projects and marketable apparel and household fabric items. It can be customized to enhance its beneficial qualities. Whether it’s made from cotton, cotton blend or synthetic, it’s a popular and exceptional fabric to work with.