What is knitwear made of? Thick jersey material: description, composition, types and reviews

The elegance and softness of knitwear

Knitwear is a versatile material suitable both for sewing light T-shirts, pajamas and dressing gowns, as well as for formal business suits. The main advantage of knitwear is the ability to perfectly fit the figure.

When applied to knitwear, the term “fabric” is not suitable, since it is not produced on looms, but using knitting machines. And the word "knitwear" in translation from French means "to knit".
Knitwear is a material with a thousand-year history. During excavations of ancient cities that existed three hundred years before our era, archaeologists miraculously found the remains of knitted products.
With the advent of knitting machines in the 19th century, the production of knitwear was put on stream. Now it is even difficult to imagine tights or socks that are not tied, but sewn from fabric.

Features of knitted weaving

The striking resemblance of some knitted fabrics to conventional fabrics sometimes confuses buyers. But it is quite simple to determine whether it is knitwear: it is enough to slightly stretch the product in your hands. The peculiarity of the knitted fabric is the well-visible loop structure.

Depending on the weaving, knitted fabrics are divided into two categories: warp knitted and cross knitted.

Warp knitted jersey

A web of this type is formed by a whole bundle of fibers, the so-called base. Each base has several loops, knitted separately from each other.

This weaving method is used in the manufacture of the following types of knitwear:

1. Atlas. Made from cotton or viscose. Curtains, bedding, and underwear are sewn from satin.
2. Cloth. The main feature of the material is that the wrong side acts as the front side. This jersey is used for sewing underwear.
3. Chain. The special weave creates a fringe for finishing.

Products created on the basis of warp knitted fabrics do not unfold either horizontally or vertically.

Cross knit weave

In this weaving, loops of one row are connected in series with one or more threads. In this case, they all turn out to be straight.

The most common cross-knitted fabrics:

1. Smooth (cooler). Thin linen without fleece with clearly separable front and back sides. Summer clothes for women and men are sewn from it.
2. Eraser. Lycra is added to the fabric to give elasticity, thanks to which the products keep their shape perfectly. The best material for turtlenecks and sports swimwear.
3. Diving. It is also called the second skin for its ability to tightly fit the body, repeating the slightest bends. It is from diving that leggings, stretch leggings, and circus costumes are made.
4. Interlock. The basis of this jersey is cotton with added elastane. For its characteristic pattern, the interlock is often called “elastic”. Suitable for making T-shirts, pajamas, underwear.
5. Jersey. This wool jersey is considered the best for business suits and dressy dresses.

Cross-knitted fabrics are easily unrolled in all directions, and also withstand stretching along the cross thread well.

Single, double and jacquard weave

Depending on the appearance, knitted weaves are:

• one-sided, in which the front and back threads are concentrated on different sides of the canvas;
• bilateral, with no wrong side. They are made on circular knitting machines using the double-thread principle.

In addition, there is a so-called jacquard weaving to create openwork knitted fabrics. For it, special machines with many needles are used, which make it possible to create a zigzag textured material.

What knitwear is made of

Various fibers are used for the production of knitted fabric:

• natural - cotton, linen, wool, silk - they form the basis of the material;
• artificial - acetate, viscose and its modifications;
• synthetic - lycra, elastane, polyester.

Knitted clothes made of 100% cotton or linen wrinkle a lot, wear out quickly and lose their appearance. The addition of synthetic and artificial fibers makes the product more wear-resistant and elastic.

Features of production

There are three main ways to produce knitted fabric:

1. Cutting. With the help of knitting machines, a large fabric is made, and then individual parts are cut out of it, from which clothes are sewn. It is used for sewing underwear and gloves.

The main disadvantage is a large amount of waste, sometimes accounting for a third of the total material.

1. Regular. This method involves knitting the entire product. Small details - collars, pockets, etc. are tied separately and sewn with inconspicuous stitches. The process is completely waste-free, but costly. As a rule, expensive raw materials are used for work.
2. Semi-regular. The fabric is made on a machine that knits in a circle. Immediately, without additional cutting, individual parts are knitted and connected to each other using a specially left loop row. The method is economical both in terms of raw material consumption and labor costs, therefore it is suitable for sewing outerwear.

Each knitwear production method uses its own knitting machines. In order to make the canvas "fleecy", it is processed on special needle machines.

General properties of knitted fabrics

Each knitted fabric has both positive and negative characteristics. But there are still a number of properties common to all knitted materials.

The undoubted advantages include:

• pleasant tactile sensations - soft material envelops the body, repeating all its outlines;
• breathability - the body in jerseys "breathes";
• hygroscopicity - the material perfectly absorbs moisture;
• high strength - products are durable and wear-resistant;
• a variety of colors - jersey lends itself well to various dyes;
• relatively low cost.

Knitwear has no significant drawbacks. The biggest disadvantage stems from the main advantage: tightly fitting the figure, jerseys emphasize not only its advantages, but also flaws, which people with extra pounds do not always like.

Features of some knitted fabrics

There are many varieties of knitwear. Let us dwell briefly on the most common of them.

Kulirny smooth surface

The thinnest canvas. Clothes made from a kulirka, as they call it, are light and airy. Summer dresses and sundresses, shorts and T-shirts are pleasant to wear, hygroscopic and breathable.

100% cotton crochet stitch is the best material for baby's undershirts, sliders and other accessories.

The addition of rayon or elastane to the fabric makes it more durable and elastic.

Another cotton-based canvas. Unlike the cooler, it has a pile on the seamy side. Thanks to him, things become warm, soft, warming.

The footer can be double-strand and three-strand, which affects the density of the material. It is hypoallergenic and safe, therefore it is suitable for sewing warm blouses, sliders and pants for small children.

Mahra

Knitted fabric with characteristic loop pile. It happens both one- and two-sided. Characteristic features are high hygroscopicity, warming ability. The material is very pleasant to the touch.

The main application of terry is bath sheets, dressing gowns, home suits, clothes for children.

Corn

An environmentally friendly material based on cellulose obtained from corn starch.

The front side of the canvas is embossed with a pattern that resembles a small honeycomb. The inner surface is soft, pleasantly fitting to the body.

Corn is an excellent alternative to cotton and flax, besides, unlike them, it does not wrinkle and has good wear resistance.

Lacoste

Lacoste is a knitted cotton fabric with a characteristic weave of threads, the so-called pique weave. It is this material that the famous French company Lacoste uses to sew its T-shirts, T-shirts and shirts.

Lacoste jersey stretches perfectly. It can be machine washed, does not wrinkle and keeps its shape perfectly.
In addition to sportswear under the Lacoste brand, women's dresses and blousons are produced.

Jersey care

Like any other garment, knitwear will only last long and look new with proper care.

If there are no other descriptions on the label attached to the product, then you must adhere to the following recommendations:

1. It is best to wash the knitwear by hand, after soaking it for 20-30 minutes using a liquid detergent. The water temperature should not exceed 30 0 С.
2. The washed items can only be wrung out slightly by wrapping them in a towel.
3. Dry the knitwear in a horizontal position, avoiding direct sunlight.
4. Store knitted clothes folded on the shelves of the cabinet. Do not hang on a hanger, as the jersey can stretch.
5. When pellets appear on the knitted fabric, they must be carefully removed using a special machine.

If, after washing, the jersey is still stretched, it must be ironed several times with an iron through a cloth moistened with water. You can also restore a sweater or turtleneck to its original shape by wearing them in a slightly damp state.

Giving coolness in summer heat and warming on cold winter evenings, cozy and soft, austere and elegant knitwear is truly the most demanded material for sewing clothes.

For your convenience, we have prepared for you a detailed description of fabrics and their main properties and characteristics that are used in the manufacture of clothes of those products that are presented in our online store of women's clothing "Most Fashionable"... If you do not have enough descriptions of any fabric or you have other wishes, you can always write to us about it. All wishes will be taken into account and implemented as far as possible.

Description of fabrics. Their main types and characteristics

The highest quality man-made fiber, shape-stable, heat-resistant, often used instead of wool or in combination with it, to improve some of the characteristics of the product. Acrylic is also called "artificial wool", which is similar in its own qualities to natural wool, it has many extremely rare properties. Acrylic fibers are perfectly dyed, as a result of this, you can make a yarn of bright, highly saturated, intense colors. Acrylic canvas has many advantages - hypoallergenic, pleasant to the touch, color fastness. Things are pleasant and comfortable to wear in everyday life, they are comfortable and warm. When leaving, this material is not whimsical, but some recommendation should be adhered to: wash products at a temperature of no more than 30C, things cannot be squeezed out by twisting them, they must be laid out on a flat surface until completely dry. Iron should be done at the lowest temperature.

Alex- fabric with good elasticity, which is a representative of the "knitted family". Due to the fact that the fabric is made by knitting (the loops are tightly intertwined with each other), Alex keeps its shape perfectly and practically does not wrinkle. Most often, the fabric contains cotton, viscose fibers and about 30% polyester. Business dresses, trouser suits, and also classic skirts are sewn from this material.

Angora- Angora goat wool fabric, delicate to tactile sensations, with a distinctive soft and delicate pile. The fabric is of light and medium-heavy types, dyed or melange. Angora is widely used. From it they sew women's dresses, all various suits, lightweight coats, etc.

Smooth and dense fabric with a glossy top. Satin is characterized by high wear resistance, drapes well, and retains its shape with proper care. The fabric that is made of silk threads is susceptible to high temperatures, but the material with the addition of synthetic fibers is more resistant and durable. Evening, cocktail dresses, long skirts, blouses are sewn from satin. The composition of the fabric may vary. The most expensive items are made from 100% silk. More affordable fabrics will contain cotton and viscose fibers. The cheapest satin is made from 100% polyester.

Velvet- noble fabric with resistant pile. It is made of silk, woolen, cotton threads. Also, viscose can be added to the structure of the material, due to which the velvet becomes more durable and stretches well. The fabric is distinguished by its texture - soft pile, up to 5 mm long, gives a pleasant tactile sensation. The peculiarities of velvet are an iridescent surface and color saturation, and the disadvantages include difficulties in care, since such things can only be washed by hand, and stubborn stains are quite difficult to remove.

Airy, lightweight fabric that, although it seems very delicate, has high strength and ability to retain its shape. The most expensive cambric is the one that is made by hand from linen and cotton threads by twisting. But modern industry allows everyone to wear products from this fabric - in addition to cotton fibers, the composition of the fabric includes synthetic threads, which make the material easier to care for and more affordable. Summer dresses, sundresses, skirts are sewn from cambric, it is also used to decorate blouses.

Natural stretch fabric, which contains a large amount of cotton fibers and a small percentage of elastane. The fabric is characterized by high thermal conductivity, which is accompanied by a feeling of pleasant freshness and coolness.

Supplex... A fabric that stands out for one property: excellent stretch. It is made by spinning - the threads are intertwined on a special machine. Supplex can have different density and composition. Most often, more than 50% of the composition is lycra and lurex - synthetic materials that are responsible for the shine and characteristics of the fabric. Also, the composition may include microfiber and nylon - other representatives of "synthetic", which endow supplex with moisture-proof properties. Tracksuits and swimwear are sewn from this material.

Boucle- fabric made from woolen thread. Its characteristic features are the presence of many small curls and a knobby surface to the touch. The boucle is also compared to the small karakul. In addition to wool, the fabric may include cotton, viscose, synthetics. The thicker the material itself and the curls, the more in the wool composition. They sew coats, suits, scarves from boucle. The most famous fans of bouclé costumes are Jacqueline Kennedy and Sophia Loren. Such fabric does not wrinkle, and the woolen product can only be washed by hand.

Velveteen- this material is a synthetic fabric, the outer part of which is made of pile. This material has been known since ancient times, being considered the “fabric of kings”, which made it very expensive and practically inaccessible to a wide range of people. However, now this fabric is made using a slightly different technology, which made it possible to increase the elasticity of the material itself. In addition, corduroy products are quite pleasant to the touch and durable, but special care must be taken when washing - the material can lose its shape and wrinkle.

Velours- fabric with a low, very dense and soft pile. Material, pleasant to the body, used for sewing clothes. Velor clothes are comfortable and cozy. Clothes made of velor practically do not wipe off and are resistant to other damage, do not stretch and after a long time look like new. Fabric composition: lycra, cotton with polyester or can be 100% cotton. Thanks to the inner layer of jersey, which is in contact with your baby's skin, which is made of cotton. Velor clothes are comfortable, cozy and warm for children and adults. It is recommended to wash less than 35 degrees, also hand wash. Ironing after washing is not recommended.

Viscose- a delicate fiber (fabric), pleasant to tactile sensations, with the highest brightness of colors and a soft sheen. Viscose has a composition similar to a natural fiber from cotton and, accordingly, is hygroscopic, easily permeable to air. Moreover, it gives a feeling of coolness in hot weather.

Gabardine... A fabric that has durability due to a special weaving of threads - embossed, diagonal weaving is used, and also keeps its shape well, allowing you to create draperies, textured folds that do not deform after washing. Natural gabardine is made of merino wool - expensive suits and short coats are made from this material. Today, gabardine is most often composed of cotton, rayon and textured polyester yarns. Skirts, jackets and suits are made of such fabric.

Galliano- a fabric that got its name from the eminent Italian designer, who pays special attention to the lining when sewing products. Yes, galliano is a lining fabric that can have a different composition. For example, the lining that will be used for sewing a coat, jacket will have twill and viscose in its composition. For dresses and skirts, galliano fabric is used, which consists of satin, polyester. This material is durable, holds its shape well, but practically does not stretch.

Guipure- a translucent fabric in the form of lace patterns on the basis of a mesh. This material is widely used for the production of products consisting of it, as well as some individual elements for models, for example: lace sleeves of dresses, sweaters, etc., lace inserts on the back in summer or demi-season models. Guipure is used for the production of evening dresses, sweaters and other things. Lace overlays give the models a festive look.

- a combination of two elegant fabrics that allows you to get an effective material at a low cost. On the front side you see a sophisticated guipure pattern, and on the back side - a smooth and pleasant to the touch satin. For the manufacture of such fabric, a stretch atlas is used, which includes lycra and guipure. The latter, as a rule, is made of cotton or polyamide threads, less often of silk, linen and viscose. Guipure on satin is chosen for sewing corsets of evening dresses, jackets, and skirts.

Guipure Printed... A fabric that consists of two elements: embossed lace and a fine mesh, which, in fact, connects the lace elements. Lace is made, as a rule, of cotton, but the mesh may contain synthetic fibers, which add durability and strength to the product. Printed guipure, unlike traditional guipure, can have different color solutions, since the color, the pattern is applied here mechanically. Original dresses are sewn from this material, it is used as inserts in jackets, evening dresses, where a corset is used.

Diving- High quality and highly elastic fabric, which gives it a dimensionless effect. Perfectly fits your body, drapes perfectly and keeps its shape well. The fabric is breathable and has an important inherent ability to wick moisture and sweat away from the surface of the body. Diving is a versatile and durable fabric and is often used for sewing: not only daily women's clothing, dresses, but also for the production of sportswear, including athletics.

Diving Micro- fabric, which, unlike its "brother" - diving, has a very wide range of applications. Both dresses, pencil skirts and tracksuits and leggings are sewn from it. It is made of thin viscose fibers and is lightweight, stretches well and does not hinder movement. In addition to viscose, micro diving contains lycra, polyester and elastane. Due to the presence of lycra and elastane, the fabric drapes well and fits the figure.

Dvuhnitka- thickened knitted fabric, made on the basis of the kulirny surface, according to the simple "Kulirki", one of the widespread in our daily life natural materials based on cotton. the outer side is even and smooth, and the inner side is loop-shaped, created by knitting on the inside of the cushion threads of the highest density. The fabric is resistant to wear and tear and does not lose shape, the appearance of pills and all possible stretching. This natural and natural material allows the skin to breathe perfectly even in warm and hot weather, easily letting air through itself. Important: it is advisable to wash at a temperature of no more than 30 degrees, since after washing the fabric shrinks. Composition - 100% cotton.

Condensed fabric. Either woolen (worsted) or cotton twisted yarn. Scars are pronounced on the surface of the fabric, they are obtained as a result of the appropriate selection of the proportions of density and thickness and the introduction of a special weave of threads. The diagonal is so durable that it is used for sewing military uniforms, and for you and me they sew coats, jackets and the rest from it.
During production, the fabric is created on the basis of natural materials. Consequently, the fabric is hygroscopic and allows air to pass through quite easily, allowing the body to breathe. All things made of this material provide convenience and comfort, including practicality in use to the owner. The product does not cause hypoallergenic reactions. I would like to note the thermal insulation characteristics: in cool weather, clothes made of it warm and retain heat, and at high temperatures, on the contrary, it gives a feeling of freshness and coolness.

Jacquard- this material is a special fabric, which is made by intricate weaving of various threads. This technology also affects the price of the final material, which is quite high. As for the products made from this fabric, they are very durable, lightweight, wear-resistant and hypoallergenic. The use of natural materials in production allows this fabric to be used even for newborns' clothes.

Suede leather- she is shampoo (she is rovduga and vezh), this is leather made from reindeer and sheepskin skins using a method called fat tanning. It has characteristic properties: soft silkiness, a kind of velvety and such an important property as moisture impermeability. Painted in different colors. A distinctive feature of the fabric is its sponginess and porosity.

The material is made by combining a cotton, silk base with microfiber or polyester threads. Clothes - skirts, jackets are made in a woven way - a microfiber cloth is split into small fibers and applied to a cotton or silk base. This method ensures the reliability of the material. The non-woven method, in which polyester threads are glued to the base, is distinguished by its cheapness, but also by less quality processing. Faux suede is soft, durable and practically does not deform.

The material consists of two parts: a base and a layer of polymers. Possesses good strength, elasticity, hypoallergenicity and firmly tolerates frost, as well as exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Cotton and polyester can be used as a base, and polyurethane as a top layer. The combination of a fabric base and a porous polyurethane makes artificial leather a fabric that is highly breathable and can be used to make dresses, skirts, leggings and trousers.

- this includes several types of canvases, which differ in their composition, but have several mandatory properties. The suit fabric should keep its shape well, fit the figure and be durable. The material can be composed of wool with elastane, cotton with the addition of polyester, viscose. The best costume fabrics are considered to be cotton with the addition of synthetic fibers - they are good for the summer-spring period, as well as woolen fabrics with viscose and elastane. The latter should be chosen for a warm winter-autumn suit.

Suit fabric "Tiara"- a rather dense one-piece dyed suit fabric of dark colors with elastane, the clothes are flexible and elastic, which gives it a kind of dimensionlessness and does not hinder movement. A special characteristic is the softness, comfort and amazing pleating of the fabric. "Tiara" is widely used for sewing school clothes, clothes for women. It is often used to make dresses, jackets, skirts, sundresses and more.

- this fabric is almost 100% natural cotton. Sometimes certain organic impurities are added to the composition, but they only increase the positive characteristics of cotton. Clothes made of cotton absorb moisture well and allow air to pass through, which makes them practically indispensable in the summer. It also has good hypoallergenic properties, but with prolonged wear, the color saturation may be somewhat lost. However, this disadvantage is more than covered by its unconditional advantages.

Natural fabric made from cotton fibers. Cotton is distinguished by its hypoallergenicity, ability to pass air well and durability. The type of fabric called "shirt" has several characteristics. The first is the composition. This cotton will consist of 100% cotton without the addition of viscose or lycra. The second is the ability to keep its shape well, which is achieved due to the composition and dense weaving of the fibers. Cotton "shirt" is used for sewing blouses and, as the name implies, for making classic and casual shirts.

Crepe- a category of fabrics, mainly silk fabrics, whose threads are produced with a significant (crepe) twist, and in some variants with special (crepe) weaves. Crepe fabrics have characteristic properties: low crease and excellent appearance, elasticity and wear resistance, as well as good drape. To highlight and emphasize all the splendor and grace of the crepe pattern, it is most often made plain dyed. Due to the fact that crepe threads have increased rigidity, it has a drawback in the form of increased crumbling.

Lightweight, but fairly dense fabric that has a slightly rough surface. The prefix "crepe" indicates a special method of weaving the threads - at first they are twisted in different directions, and then weaved according to the traditional linen method. Due to this technology, a durable but lightweight material is obtained. Crepe-chiffon is used for sewing evening, summer dresses, skirts, scarves. The fabric lends itself well to draping and is durable. Composition: 100% silk.

Corn- excellent moisture absorption is one of the main distinctive properties of the fabric. Interestingly, corn dries instantly, one can say before our eyes. We also refer to the ability of the fabric to maintain color for a long time, resistance to burnout when exposed to sunlight and other external influences. It is worth highlighting its most basic advantage - it is hypoallergenic. The fabric is very pleasant and soft to the touch.

Linen Is a tissue of natural origin obtained from a plant. Products made from this material have very good air permeability characteristics, which is a great advantage in very hot weather, as well as such things are hypoallergenic and durable. Linen retains its integrity quite well, despite frequent wearing and regular washing. It is worth noting that this material is susceptible to temperatures, so you need to erase these veins in not very hot water so that the material does not sit down.

Madonna- fabric, which is characterized by maximum breathability and consists of synthetic materials - polyester and viscose. Sometimes spandex fibers are added to the composition - such a fabric will be as elastic as possible. Madonna is good because stains are easily removed from the surface, due to the fact that the fibers of the fabric undergo a special treatment. Evening dresses are sewn from this material, when you need to create a model with heavy folds, as well as jackets and suits.

Fabric "Macaroni", (also "macaroni", "macaroni") is a fabric of plant origin, usually coarse calico, 100% cotton. It got its name due to its unpretentious drawing - thin lines on a light background. For a finished weaving pattern, a clear perpendicular weave is required. The material comes out very pleasant and light. They use it for needlework, sewing children's clothing, bedding, and home suits.

Butter Is a synthetic material based on polyester and viscose. The use of these materials allows oil garments to be breathable, not wrinkled or lose their shape for a long time. It is noteworthy that wearing such clothes in the heat allows not only not to feel discomfort, but also to feel a feeling of freshness and coolness, which makes this fabric extremely popular among summer clothing manufacturers.

Practical and pleasant to the touch. It is often used in home textiles, dressing gowns, pajamas and tracksuits. The composition is usually linen, cotton or bamboo. The surface of the terry is the loops of the warp threads. The pile can be one- or two-sided. High-quality fabric perfectly absorbs moisture, does not deform and does not require ironing. There are canvases with a relief pattern and sheared pile.

Memori- fabric that restores its shape well, does not wrinkle and is distinguished by a matte sheen of its front side. Polymer fibers that make up the memory are responsible for the tissue's ability to remember and restore shape. The material has the following properties: it does not allow moisture to pass through, does not stretch, and repels dirt. They sew jackets, raincoats, coats from memory. The fabric is also suitable for the manufacture of skirts, suits. In this case, about 30% satin or cotton is added to its composition.

Micro oil- very similar in composition to knitted fabric. The fabric consists of: polyester 90%, viscose 5%, lycra 5%. Incredibly thin, flowing material that is pleasant to the body.

Mohair- a thin, silky fabric made from the wool of angora goat. It is used for sewing dresses, suits, sweaters and even coats. Until 1820, this fabric was only available to the Turkish sultan, but in the middle of the 20th century, Angora goats began to be exported from the country and sold valuable material in European countries. Mohair is very light, retains heat well and has a soft sheen.

Neoprene Is a synthetic material that is made on the basis of foam rubber. In the modern world, this material is used in various fields, but it is most widely used in water sports, where it acts as the basis for athletes' clothing. This is quite understandable, because this material does not allow moisture to pass through, and also allows you to maintain the natural heat of the human body, regardless of temperature changes.

Nicole- a fabric that is practical and bright in color. It consists of almost 70% polyester, so it does not wrinkle, retains a rich color and is well washed. Available in elastane and viscose - the product will fit well to the figure. Both summer sundresses, dresses, shorts of catchy yellow, turquoise, pink shades, as well as formal suits of classic gray and black colors are sewn from nicole fabric.

- airy, lightweight fabric, which, at the same time, is stiff. The material holds its shape well and can be either shiny or matte. It all depends on the composition of the fabric. "Shiny organza" is one made of polyester fibers that undergo additional processing. The matte fabric is obtained from viscose and silk threads. True, silk organza can be rarely found, since such material is very expensive. The fabric can be decorated with lurex or metallic threads. Organza is used to decorate dresses, skirts and suits.

Sequin- fabric, which is distinguished by a complex production technology and consists of several elements. The first is a polyester or oil base, which is responsible for the practicality of the material. Thanks to the polyester, the sequin stretches well. The second element is, in fact, sequins, sequins that are sewn to the base. They are made of plastic or thin metal plates. Sequins can be of different shapes, colors and shine. As for the composition, sequin fabric is, as a rule, synthetics.

For the manufacture of lining, fabrics with synthetic fibers are most often used, since they are distinguished by their strength. Viscose is a fabric that is used as a lining in tracksuits. Satin is considered the best option for coat lining and men's suits. Polyester is the most popular lining fabric used for down jackets and down jackets. Satin is an expensive fabric that is used as a lining for evening dresses, skirts and classic suits.

- fabric based on cotton. Most often, it is 80-90% cotton, and is supplemented with synthetic, less often silk threads. The main advantages of poplin: the fabric is breathable, soft to the touch, holds its shape perfectly and does not require ironing. After several washes, the poplin will not fade or stretch. Dresses, shirts and jackets are sewn from this fabric - that is, practical products that should not lose their shape, but are sure to be durable.

- a fabric that looks like an elastic band and belongs to the "knitted family". The material is made by knitting, in which the front loops alternate with the purl loops. Due to this, the similarity with a small rubber band is achieved. They sew children's hats, clothes for the house, underwear from ribana. Composition of fabric: 100% cotton. There are also fabrics with the addition of viscose, polyester (no more than 5%).

Mat- a fabric that many associate with burlap. But the mat is more elegant both in appearance and composition. Ideal material for sewing outerwear and for suits, dresses in the spirit of Audrey Hepburn and Coco Chanel. The composition of the canvas includes natural materials: wool, cotton, linen. Add 2-5% acrylic to increase wear resistance. The mat holds its shape well and has a dense texture. Another feature is that the fabric does not wrinkle and does not require special care.

Non-woven material that has unique properties: it retains its shape well, does not absorb moisture and has high thermal insulation characteristics. For the manufacture of padding polyester, synthetic fibers or recyclable materials are used. The fibers are held together by gluing or heat treatment. The density of the padding polyester depends on the thickness of the layers used. The minimum density is 0.04 kg per m², and the maximum is 1.5 kg. This material is used as insulation for jackets, down jackets, tracksuits.

Software- looking at the name, it becomes clear that this fabric is soft. Outwardly, it resembles velor, but the composition of the software is somewhat different. The fabric can be composed of cotton, elastane and viscose fibers. There is also 100% polyester. The front side of the software has a relief structure and barely noticeable pile, and the wrong side is dull. Dresses with ruffles, skirts are sewn from such fabric - it lends itself well to drapery, allowing you to create folds that perfectly keep their shape. The material can withstand washing at 40 degrees, the color will not fade in the sun, and there is no need to iron the clothes from the software.

Lightweight, lightweight and delicate fabric that stretches well and retains its shape. By its composition, it is a synthetic material. Stretch mesh is used to decorate wedding and evening dresses. Recently, this material has been chosen for sewing tutu skirts, as well as shapewear. Due to the fact that the material has a low density, the product from it must be washed under a delicate mode. Composition of fabric: 95% polyester and 5% elastane.

- a fabric that is distinguished by its density and its glossy surface. It is made by means of a plain weave of threads, due to which the material is distinguished by its ability to repel moisture. The dense weaving of threads also reveals another ability of the fabric - it is excellent to keep its shape and form rigid folds. Taffeta is made from polyester, viscose, acetate and cotton. Less commonly, silk threads can be found in the composition. Evening dresses, skirts are sewn from this fabric, and taffeta is also used to decorate blouses and trousers.

Tweed- woolen fabric with good density. It is made by twill weaving of thick fibers. The fabric is distinguished by its textured surface, and the combination of threads of different colors and the way of weaving creates a textured ornament with rough knots typical for tweed. Women began to wear tweed suits thanks to Coco Chanel. The famous pale pink, black and white skirt and jacket sets were made from this natural wool fabric. Tweed has elasticity, strength, does not wrinkle, and the only drawback of the fabric is that it must be protected from moths.

Tiare- the fabric from which suits are most often sewn, both trouser and with a skirt. The material is distinguished by a smooth, even surface with a barely noticeable diagonal scar. Most of the composition is polyester, thanks to which the tiara holds its shape well and does not wrinkle. Available in viscose and wool - these fibers add softness and make the products warm. Be sure to include elastane in the tiara, which provides elasticity to the fabric. Most often, black, brown, dark blue and gray suits are made of tiara.

Thinsulate- is one of the best insulation materials for clothes today. Ultra lightweight material that does not absorb moisture, thanks to this, even in wet weather it will keep you warm, has amazing thermal insulation qualities. Thinsulate is one of the weightless insulation materials, it has the best qualities of bird fluff, only after washing it does not crumple or crumple like fluff - this is one of the most positive qualities of this insulation. Thinsulate is very effective and able to keep you warm even in cold weather - 60 degrees. Care - the clothes of their thinsulate can be washed both by hand and in a typewriter. If you have chosen an automatic wash, it is recommended to choose a gentle mode: revolutions less than 600 per minute, water temperature less than 40 ° C, light spinning. Even with repeated washing, things do not lose their original appearance and shape, the fabric dries very quickly.

Three-thread- compacted knitted fabric, made on the basis of a kulirny surface (coulters are natural materials based on cotton), the outer side is even, and the inner side is a thick fleece, which is formed as a result of knitting on the outer side of cushion threads. This fabric is resistant to spools, stretching of the material, serves for a long time and does not change its shape in any way. This is a natural fabric, it allows air to pass through, as a result of which the skin can breathe, and thanks to the fleece it keeps warm, thanks to which the material is ideal for cold weather. The three-thread is pleasant to the body and sensations. Recommended care is to wash at temperatures less than 35 degrees. The composition of the fabric is 100% cotton.

- knitted fabric, which has its own peculiarity - front and back sides different in appearance. The front one is a smooth fabric, soft to the touch, but the back one will be distinguished by the presence of fleece, which is formed due to the interweaving of footer fibers (thick cotton fabric). The latter add thermal insulation properties to the material. Three-thread "Loop" is used for sewing tracksuits. Composition of fabric: 100% cotton.

Trick Is a lightweight knitted fabric based on synthetic threads. It holds its shape perfectly, is elastic, has a smooth and shiny surface. Such material absorbs moisture well and dries quickly. Stains can be easily washed off, and there is no need to iron at all. As a rule, trick is used for sewing tracksuits, tops, leggings. Distinguish between plain and printed canvases.

Soft, fleecy, pleasant to the touch fabric, which is popular with world designers due to its two qualities - "ability" to keep warm well and durability. Natural Angora is made from goat wool and has a silky sheen. But angora knitwear belongs to blended fabrics, which include wool, viscose and polyester. The percentage of the latter, as a rule, is up to 55%. Cardigans, warm dresses with sleeves, tracksuits are sewn from such fabric.

Jersey jersey - as is already clear, this is a type of knitted fabric, which is knitted by the method of single-row weaving, and not woven, like other fabrics. How to determine what jersey is in front of you? You can take the raw edge of the fabric and stretch it across the width. It should be wrapped in a roll. The composition of the fabric can include wool, cotton, polyester and mixed fibers. The more elastane and synthetic fibers in the composition, the better the jersey stretches. They are made from fabrics both clothes for home and cardigans, dresses, sweatpants and T-shirts.

The fabric, which, although it belongs to the "knitted family", is made of synthetic fibers. It does not wrinkle, is durable, wear resistance and excellent elasticity. The right side of the fabric may have a shiny finish, while the wrong side will look like a traditional knitted fabric. Disco knitwear is used for sewing cocktail dresses, blouses, tight-fitting skirts and overalls. Composition of fabric: 95% polyester and 5% elastane. Some manufacturers add cotton fibers to the composition.

A fabric that differs in the way it is woven. Here the transverse thread is reinforced, and the canvas itself is distinguished by the presence of small scars, due to which the material looks like a rep. To the touch, the "scar" is a velvety, soft fabric. Such jersey does not wrinkle, quickly restores its shape, has good air permeability and thermal insulation. "Rib" dresses, trousers, skirts are made of jersey, which perfectly fit the figure. Fabric composition: 95% cotton and 5% lycra or 40% cotton, 30% viscose, 30% polyester.

Flannel- very soft and fleecy type of cotton based fabric. It is widely used for making home textiles. It has a twill or plain weave of threads, a uniform two- or one-sided pile. Possesses excellent absorbent and heat-saving properties. It is often used in the manufacture of robes and warm pajamas. Distinguish between printed, shirt, bleached, dyed and neglected flannel.

Fleece Is a synthetic material made on the basis of polyester, as well as other materials of artificial origin. The fleece material can be used as a lining as well as an outer fabrication material. Fleece products are light and dense enough, which makes this material indispensable in the manufacture of sportswear.

Flock- dense fabric based on polyester and cotton. It can withstand heavy loads and is often used as upholstery for upholstered furniture. In the manufacture of the material, finely cut villi are used, which are applied to the glue base using a special tool - a flockator. It creates an electrostatic field that allows tiny particles to be firmly attached.

French jersey- knitted fabric with excellent stretchability. Knitwear is massively used in sewing all types of clothing, turtlenecks, women's dresses, suits for women, jackets, sweaters, pullovers. The loose composition gives this canvas softness. French knitwear allows human skin to breathe, protecting it from hot and cold weather.

Cotton Is a natural plant material that is used in many other fabrics. Cotton products are very light and pleasant to the touch, breathable, which allows you to wear these clothes even in the hottest weather. Cotton is used in a wide variety of industries - from clothing to furniture. Cottons are not recommended to be washed in hot temperatures, otherwise they may shrink and lose their shape.

Cotton reaper Is a 100% natural fabric. Usually used for sewing bed linen and home textiles. Crumpled fabric is obtained by special twisting of threads and heat treatment. As a result, an interesting relief pattern comes out, the fabric itself is light, breathable, pleasant to the touch. The advantage of the header cotton is that it does not require ironing and retains its neat appearance for a long time.

- a material that is distinguished by its ability to retain heat well. This is achieved through the production of material - synthetic fibers are twisted, joined by a thermal method. Cavities are formed inside the fibers, which retain heat. Holofiber is non-toxic, breathable, does not absorb odors and does not shrink when washing. It is used as a heater for jackets, down jackets, sports, ski suits.

Silk Is a fabric of natural origin, obtained from cocoons that silkworms weave. The technology of its manufacture is rather complicated, which naturally affects the cost of the final material. However, its merits make up for this small drawback. The fabric is very breathable, absorbs and evaporates moisture, and also has a positive effect on the human skin itself - the chemical composition of silk allows the epidermis to regenerate faster. In addition, silk items are reliable protectors against various ticks and lice, as well as other harmful microorganisms.

Chiffon- this material was made using natural silk, but later they began to use synthetic materials. Chiffon products are unusually light and airy, but their strength leaves much to be desired. Nevertheless, this material is quite widely used in many fashion houses as a material for clothing.

- This is a fabric that is a mixture of cotton and viscose in a ratio of 50 to 50 (there are fabrics where 60% cotton and 40% viscose). The material itself has a rather dense structure, but this does not affect its weight - the fabric is quite light and airy. The pile is very pleasant to the touch, not for nothing that dressing gowns were made from this material in Soviet times. The fabric may somewhat resemble wool, but its structure is more delicate and elastic.

Eco leather Is a synthetic material made from polyurethane. From the name it is clear that it is a substitute for natural leather, but, unlike leatherette, it is practically in no way inferior to it. The discovery of this material made it possible not only to save a considerable number of animals, but also to take care of the environment, because the production of natural leather is often associated with its pollution. As for the fabric itself, it is very reliable and similar to natural leather in its characteristics.

Hello, welcome to the Sewing Encyclopedia! Today we will talk with you about the most popular material that is used to make linen, home and casual clothes, if you want to learn good things from it, then it will be useful to find out what types of knitwear are, their properties, classification, weaving and care. Let's consider in general terms its characteristics in order to understand how it behaves during sewing and wearing.

Types of knitwear, classification and photo

What is knitwear? This is a material that is knitted on machines, it is not for nothing that in translation from French it means “to knit”. For its manufacture, a wide variety of yarns are used - silk, wool, cotton, viscose, synthetics with and without elastane. It is the thread and its weave that determine the type of knitted fabric. Let's take a quick look at each of them.

French

For its manufacture, a double thread is used, which gives the knitwear density. It stretches little, therefore it is used in products where it is necessary to keep the shape. The temperature for washing is not more than 40 ° C.

Ottoman

The knitwear is made from cotton, polyester and viscose. The material has increased elasticity and resistance to crushing, the fabric is embossed with a rib, somewhat reminiscent of corduroy, it is produced in plain color or in a print.

Butter

Its composition is polyester, lycra and viscose. Very soft, thin and elastic jersey. Easily takes any shape, it fits quite nicely into folds and assemblies.

Jersey

Low creasing and highly stretchable material. Wash in warm water and ironing with a warm iron.

Lacoste

It is distinguished by a special weave of the thread in the form of a mesh, due to which the products made of such jersey are well ventilated.

Dior

Quite practical knitwear made of polyamide, viscose and elastane, available in solid color and with a pattern in the form of a cross or a herringbone.

Stretch

Well-stretching jersey due to the fact that it contains spandex, when stretching the fabric, it is clearly visible - this is a shiny thread. In addition to it, either nylon or cotton rides.

Angora

Soft and fleecy, it is made from acrylic, polyester and elastane, with or without wool.

Kapoton

Warm, dense and bulky material with a diamond or square stitch effect. Such jersey is also called quilted.

Kulirka or suprem

This is one of the finest knitwear. Externally, from the front side, the pattern resembles vertical pigtails. The material stretches remarkably in width, but practically does not stretch in length. Most often it is made from cotton with a small addition of lycra. It is used for sewing underwear, T-shirts, sundresses, nighties, pajamas.

Footer

Cotton based material. It is rather thick because it has a fleece on the seamy side, due to which the knitwear is form-stable. Of course, warm things are sewn from it: hoodies, tracksuits, hats, sweaters and so on.

Interlock

The interlock is made in the form of a 1x1 rubber band. Quite thick cotton material that does not stretch well, which is why its range of use is so wide - children's clothing, home, sports, casual. But if washed incorrectly, it quickly loses its shape and forms pellets. The water temperature should be no more than 40 ° C.

Ribana

It is also called an eraser. I think that the name alone is clear, such jersey is very elastic, and it is made with 1x1, 1x2 and 2x2 elastic bands, with a slight addition of lycra. It is used for making cuffs or processing necks, for example, T-shirts, but besides that, both adults and children are completely sewn. Can be washed at 30 ° C. Transferring spinning in a washing machine, manual twisting is not desirable.

Velours

Such jersey has a fleecy surface reminiscent of velvet. It is quite durable, retains its shape for a long time, which makes it durable. The material is more suitable for sewing winter and demi-season clothes, since the pile creates additional thickness. Velor jerseys are very beautiful, they do not require special care and ironing, the main condition for their durability is washing at 30 ° C.

Kashkorse

The knitted fabric is also in the form of an elastic band, however, in this case, it is larger. Usually its composition is mixed: cotton, synthetic, lycra or spandex. Just like the ribana, it is used to process the neckline, sleeves, it is used as an inlay and, of course, for sewing adult or children's clothing.

Fleece

It is made of polyester and resembles sheared sheep's wool. Fleece is used quite often as a lining fabric, however, it is widely used in sewing a variety of products: thermal underwear, coats, jackets, sweatshirts, clothing for animals. This knitted fabric can be washed in a washing machine at 40 ° C, removed from it almost dry and does not need to be ironed. However, it stretches rather quickly and loses its shape.

Velsoft

Extra thick brushed fabric made of polyamide. The pile does not lose its appearance for a long time and does not form pellets. This material has a wide range of applications: women's, men's, children's clothing, blankets, bedspreads, towels. In general, this jersey is a big competitor to terry fabrics.

Pique

Its type of weave is very similar to honeycomb, it is made mainly from cotton fabrics, although artificial silk can be used. Quite often, cotton piqué is used for sewing polo T-shirts, but dresses are sewn from silk piqué. It is important to wash at a low temperature as the material shrinks a lot.

Supplex

Knitwear is made of nylon with the addition of lycra, stretches in all directions, bright and quite durable, used for sewing dance costumes, leotards, gymnastic and circus clothing.

Openwork

It is carried out on the basis of an interlock, ribana or kulirka. It turns out a pattern due to the crochet and skipped loops.

Terry cloth

Cotton jersey with a pile in the form of large loose loops, they can be either on one side or on two. Ironing is contraindicated for such material.

Plush

The canvas is made with stretched small loops. By the way, this is the only jersey that it is better not to wash, but to dry-clean.

Selanic

Dense knitted fabric from a mixture of synthetics and cotton, the front side of which has an eraser, and the back side has a fleece.

Jacquard

This material uses a complex weave resulting in a pattern. Its composition can be very diverse, as well as its application.

Hypel

Lightweight and stretchy cotton and lycra fabric with a specific weave for a beautiful pattern.

The composition of the knitted fabric

As I already wrote above, knitted fabrics are produced from a wide variety of threads - natural, synthetic, artificial, and can also have a mixed version.

Natural knitwear

The most popular option is cotton. It is breathable, soft, pleasant to the body and does not cause irritation. Such jersey is easy to care for, and it is not difficult to sew, the main thing is to use a special needle when working with it, otherwise, after the first wash, holes will appear along the seam from tearing the threads during the sewing process.

Wool is also quite easy to sew, however, decating is required before work, that is, preliminary soaking and drying of the material in order to avoid shrinkage of the finished product.

In terms of their wear resistance, natural canvases take the last place, they are not durable, they wear out quickly.

Synthetic jersey

Its advantages - perfectly tolerates machine wash, dries quickly. The disadvantage is the ability to electrify, form pellets and cause irritation.

Combined jersey

It combines natural and synthetic threads, thereby improving the properties of the knitted fabric, for example, such as wear resistance and durability, but at the same time it gets a small problem in the form of pellets, which must be constantly dealt with, otherwise the product loses its attractiveness.

Knitwear properties

Knitwear is very popular today due to its main property, knitted fabric is easily stretched and takes any shape without any problems, which helps when sewing products for a complex figure. He easily repeats all body movements without constraining them.

Some types of fabric do not crumble at the edges, which makes it possible to do without overcasting when sewing on a conventional machine. However, there are other options, when the material does not easily crumble, but starts up arrows, and in the process of work they need to be constantly raised.

The specific weave of the material allows you to create clothes for both winter and summer, while maintaining a comfortable temperature at any time of the year. And caring for him is completely simple, the main thing is to follow all the recommendations for this or that type of knitwear.

But its disadvantage is - all the same spools that need to be constantly cut with scissors or use a special machine for these purposes. Let's add to this list more fast stretching and the ability to select all shape defects.

Knitwear weave

Knit weaves fall into two categories:

• Kulirnoe
• Warp knitted

In turn, the coulir weave is divided into satin stitch, eraser and double-sided weave.

1. Smooth has a clearly defined seamy side and face. The front side takes on the appearance of a pigtail, it is always smooth to the touch, and the wrong side is rough due to the waves. The material with such a weave stretches in width and is low-stretch in length.
2. Eraser- an elastic fabric knitted with a 1x1, 1x2 or 2x2 elastic band. It always contains lycra or elastane. They allow the product or a certain part of it to retain its shape for a long time. Another important property of the eraser is that it doesn't wrinkle.
3. Two-sided- the material, which does not stretch and dissolve, is the same on both sides.

In the warp-knit weave, all the warp threads are knitted separately with a shift of several needles, due to which oblique loops in the form of arcs or sticks are obtained. It is also divided into subcategories.

1. Atlas- the shift is performed in both directions during weaving, as a result, a zigzag pattern is obtained. From such jersey I sew curtains, bed linen.
2. Tights- there is a shift in one row and in one direction.
3. Sukon- the peculiarity of this weave is that the front side is the wrong side, since the face does not look aesthetically pleasing.
4. Chain- this type of weave allows you to make decorative fringes.

When sewing knitwear products, it is necessary to take into account the fact that they are all divided into one-sided, that is, they have a face and a wrong side, as well as double-sided, where either side can be the front.

Knitwear care

You bought the material and sewed the product, but in order for it to please you for a long time, you need to correctly approach such an issue as care.

I think everyone knows that it is better to wash knitwear by hand, but today the manufacturers of washing machines have introduced the “Hand wash” function into their program, which helps a lot in life, but if you wash it by hand, do not twist it, otherwise it may deform and lose its shape ... However, whichever method of washing you choose, you need to remember that the water temperature should be no more than 40 ° C.

It is not worth drying knitwear on a rope; it is better to lay it out on a special horizontal dryer, especially if the item has a loose weave.

Ironing is only worthwhile if things wrinkle, but it is better not to do this at all. Why?

• Some types of mating can lose their volume.
• The jersey is stretched under the iron.
• If the composition includes acrylic, then in the process of ironing on the canvas difficult-to-remove weasels can form - shine. Therefore, it is better not to use an iron on such things, in extreme cases, iron only from the wrong side.

It is necessary to store clothes in a horizontal position, in no case should they be hung on a hanger. In the area of ​​\ u200b \ u200bthe shoulders, it will stretch out and it will no longer be possible to remove the resulting bulge.

Well, the topic of types of knitwear classification turned out to be quite extensive, but I think it was interesting and useful for you. Good luck!

What is jersey? It would seem that this is just a stretch fabric that comfortably fits the body. It turns out that jersey can be different: ribana, kulirka, supplex, etc. We will find out what these types of knitwear are, what their properties are and what things they use for sewing.

Types of knitwear

• Footer. 100% cotton jersey, dense and durable with insulated seam and smooth front side. The footer does not roll up and does not deform, it allows air to pass through and keeps heat. Pilling resistant. Produced in two or three strands. Children's clothes are usually sewn from the footer, which can be viewed here. These are hoodies, pants and warm sets.

• Kulirka (suprem, kulirny smooth surface). Knitted fabric with knitted "braids" in one direction, not stretching in length and slightly stretching in width. The thinnest cotton jersey used for tops, underwear, T-shirts, T-shirts and other lightweight clothing.

• Ribana (eraser). Elastic, wrinkle-free jersey made from 100% cotton. Used for sewing collars and cuffs, sleeves, necks, pajama sets and turtlenecks.

• Jacquard. The fabric is difficult to weave from cotton, synthetic or blended yarn. Vests, sheath dresses, classic jackets, cardigans, tapered trousers and light coats are sewn from denser jacquard. Low-density jacquard knitwear is used for dresses of different styles, for example, with a straight skirt and tight-fitting top, as well as for sewing summer trousers or shorts.

• Interlock (double eraser, double eraser). Cotton jersey with elastic structure, smooth on both sides. The interlock does not deform and does not bloom, it keeps heat well and allows air to pass through. Clothes from it look catchy and expensive. Beautiful linen, shirts, clothes for children and sports are usually sewn from interlock. Summer clothes made of double-layer, especially of openwork, with a patterned weave, are very comfortable to wear and attractive in appearance.

• Velours. Knitwear that looks and feels like corduroy. Stretches well, but keeps its shape. Durable and soft 100% wool fabric. From velor they sew home clothes and not only things for children, they are covered with upholstered furniture.

• Hypel. Luxurious knit fabric with additional no-loop weft threads. Thanks to this weave, a beautiful pattern is formed on the surface of the hypel, making it even more elastic. The hypel is 10% lycra and 90% cotton. Dresses from this jersey ideally emphasize the tenderness and attractiveness of their owners.

• Viscose. This is a well-stretching lightweight knitwear in bright colors, which is hygroscopic and does not accumulate static electricity. Different clothes are sewn from viscose: blouses, blouses, tops, turtlenecks, sundresses and other light things.

• Kashkorse. Jersey, 5% spandex and 95% cotton. Highly stretchable, breathable material commonly used in children's clothing and outerwear for adults. In addition, lower belts of pullovers, necks and cuffs of turtlenecks are sewn from kashkors.

• Terry jersey. The adored by all knitted fluffy fabric, 100% cotton. Towels, sheets, bathrobes and rugs are all sewn from soft terry!

• Supplex. Synthetic jersey made of lycra and nylon with good stretch in all directions. Strong, bright fabric that dries quickly and does not wrinkle, wicks moisture and does not interfere with movement. Leotards, costumes for sports activities, circus performers and dancers are sewn from supplex.

• Pique. Pike jersey is a honeycomb fabric, smooth or brushed. Durable, wrinkle-free material, breathable, hygroscopic and non-allergenic, easy to clean. Comfortable polo shirts, sportswear, baby clothes, thin bedspreads, waffle towels, tablecloths and home clothes are sewn from it.

• Fleece. One of the most popular types of knitwear, made of soft breathable synthetics. Fleece perfectly retains heat, and therefore children’s clothing, blankets, sweatshirts, pants, linings for outerwear are made from it. And also fleece is used for sewing soft toys, which you simply do not want to let go of!

• Jersey. Single weave jersey with poor length stretch. The fabric flows gently along the body and hugs it favorably. Jersey has become fashionable thanks to Coco Chanel. Now this fabric, pleasant to the touch, is widely used for sewing dresses and shirts.

• Acrylic. Natural gas jersey! Acrylic does not fade, it is distinguished by elasticity, uniform coloration and durability. Does not wrinkle, does not cause allergic reactions. However, it does not absorb moisture and does not breathe, and subsequently rolls down and coarsens in bright light. Home textiles, upholstery, blankets, and overalls are sewn from acrylic.

The main characteristic of knitwear is its ability to perfectly fit the figure. This is achieved using a special method of weaving threads - knitting. Today you can find knitted items in the wardrobe of every person - this material is so popular. Women's, men's, children's, casual, weekend and home clothes made of soft fabric will not leave anyone indifferent. What is knitwear?

Description and features of knitwear

If you stretch your favorite T-shirt a little, and then look at the light, you can see the columns of the smallest loops that make up the structure of the canvas. This is the distinctive feature of knitwear - knitted texture. Does it stretch or not? Necessarily. But how does this happen?

The fact is that knitted fabric is obtained not on a loom, but on special knitting machines. Translated from French "knitwear" just means "knitting". It is the loop-like structure that imparts elasticity to these materials. But we are used to thinking that a textile fabric is woven using warp and weft threads. Then the question is quite logical: is knitwear a fabric or not? The answer will be mixed. In a general sense of the word, applicable to rolls of textiles in fabric stores - yes. But when it comes to ready-made things that were immediately completely produced on knitting machines according to patterns, this is no longer fabric, but products (jumpers, pullovers, blouses, vests, dresses). They are also called "knitwear". Since our goal is to consider the features of textile materials, further we will focus on knitted fabrics.

To understand how the product was made, look at how its seams were processed. If they are sewn, it means that the parts were cut out from knitted fabric, and if the sections are simply sewn, while all the loops along the edge look closed, then the product was knitted as a whole. Most often, winter clothing is made in this way, from thick threads.

Therefore, if a piece of clothing was cut out of knitted flooring (it consists of several layers of canvases), there is a high risk that the cut parts are skewed, which means that the finished thing could not be of very high quality. Such a skew may be barely noticeable, but after wearing and several washings, it will become obvious.

Types of knitwear

There are a great many varieties of "knitted fabric". They can be distinguished and classified according to different characteristics:

• composition;
• appearance;
• the method of weaving threads;
• destination.

According to the fibrous composition, knitted materials, like ordinary textile materials, can be divided into the following categories:

• natural;
• artificial;
• synthetic;
• mixed (combined).

At the same time, most of us, when mentioning knitwear, recalls either thin underwear or voluminous knitted winter sweaters. Accordingly, the estimated composition of the raw material is either cotton or wool. But this is not always the case. The composition and ratio of types of fibers in knitted fabrics are as varied as in ordinary textiles. True, silk is not often found here in the list of natural ones. The first one is too rough, the second one is rather expensive. But artificial and synthetic fibers play the same role: they help to reduce the cost of the material or give it the missing properties.

It is impossible to give an unambiguous description of the appearance of such matters. Yes, most of us are used to the fact that this is either a thin breathable fabric, like on T-shirts, or loose, thick, like on your favorite knitted blouse. However, this is not the whole variety of textures. Knitted fabrics can also be shiny, like silk, bouclé, even pile and lace. It all depends on what kind of weave the fabric was made, what fibers were used, what was the further processing.

Weave is the basis of texture

The degree of stretchability of the fabric largely depends on the knitting structure, as well as the weave that is used. In terms of structure, the webs can be warp-knitted or cross-knitted. The former have very little elongation. The second, respectively, are large. Each of these types has its own ways of weaving threads.

Warp knit weaves

• Chain. The name matches the appearance. It is widely used for making fringes.
• Atlas. A smooth surface is created by zigzag lines obtained by shifting the loops while knitting to the right or left.
• Tights. Consists of "bars" obtained by shifting the loops by one value.
• Cloth. A tighter weave used for making linen. Here, the seamy side of the canvas is used in the role of the front.

Cross knit weaves

• Smooth (cooler). From the inside out, such a canvas is more rough, from the face - smooth. The smooth surface is produced without fleece, from the face it looks like "braids", which practically do not stretch in length, but in width they stretch quite a bit.
• Eraser (). This weave looks like corduroy, only the fabric is elastic and wrinkle-resistant.
• Two-out. With this weave, the fabric looks from both sides as from the wrong side.

In addition to these weaves, others are used in the production of knitwear. For example, a combined weave is made. It looks like an elastic band, but at the same time it keeps its shape perfectly, does not bloom. The webs are pressed and can resemble lace in appearance.

Purpose and types of knitted materials

What are these materials used for, what are they made of? To answer, you need to know what types of knitted fabrics are produced.

• Jersey. Single sheet of different density, thickness. It is used for sewing almost all types of women's, men's and children's clothing.
• Interlock. Lightweight material with a braid texture. It is used to produce thin T-shirts, T-shirts, sportswear, pajamas.
• Double face. Heavy, dense double-sided fabric with reduced elasticity. It is used for sewing products with a fixed shape: trousers, tapered skirts, sheath dresses, jackets.
• Elastic band ("noodles"). It keeps its shape well, therefore it is often used to decorate cuffs or elastic bands of knitted clothes. The noodle turtleneck is a well-known product made of this material.
• . Outwardly similar to noodles, but a little softer, so it is used for children's clothing.
• Svetshirt. Insulated material with a fleece on the seamy side, but smooth on the front side. It makes cozy and practical sweatshirts, bombers, tracksuits from trousers with jackets.
• Stretch jersey. Due to its increased elongation, it is ideal for sportswear such as swimwear, leggings.
• Terry jersey. On the one hand it looks like a bath towel, on the other - a regular knitted surface. Indispensable when sewing dressing gowns, warm pajamas, and other home clothes.
• . Warm, cozy pile fabric reminiscent of an evenly sheared sheep's wool. Ideal for the production of warm clothes for children (pants, overalls, hats, blouses), home clothes.
• Velours. It looks like a textile velor - the same velvety texture, it drapes just as beautifully. Only from the inside out it is "given out" by knitted pigtails. From such fabric they sew both elegant things (dresses, suits) and elegant home clothes for women and children: bathrobes, pajamas, jackets, sports sets, pants.
• Stretch corduroy. It looks like velor, but has a coarser, more expressive texture. The purpose is about the same.
• . The warm, very comfortable structure of fleece with an even pile allows you to sew from it tourist or sports outerwear, sweatshirts, jackets, and also use it as a warming lining.

Properties of knitted fabrics

The properties of any materials and their fibrous composition are always interrelated. Therefore, it is impossible to say unequivocally that all jerseys are wear-resistant, shape-stable or do not peel off. Synthetics, for example, can become electrified, form unpleasant pellets, cause allergies, be unhygienic, but most often they keep their shape perfectly. Pure cotton products are short-lived, they quickly lose their shape and color, but they are absolutely hygienic and hypoallergenic.

Of the most common properties, perhaps only the following can be distinguished:

• pleasant tactile sensations;
• wide range of applications;
• a variety of textures, colors;
• relatively affordable prices (depending on the specific fabric);
• the ability to take the shape of the body, to provide it with thermal comfort (again with a reservation on the composition).

Accordingly, the care of knitwear should also be provided based on the composition and texture of the fabric. Some need to be dried only horizontally, and washed by hand, others can be safely “driven” in the drum of the machine, and then hung on clothespins. The main points of care are always stated on the label of each item. By following them, you can avoid many troubles.

How to choose the right "knitted fabric"?

Here everything is at the mercy of common sense. When choosing the fabric from which it is planned to sew a certain product, you need to pay attention to rather obvious points. For example, the canvas should not contain any defects, such as: lowered loops, puffs, places with spools, creases that cannot then be ironed out, faded or unpainted areas.

In addition, the texture should be uniform over the entire surface - without nodules, thickenings or thinned "islands". Of course, you need to assess whether the fabric is skewed in any direction. When sewing, it will be impossible to fix it: all the details, and therefore the whole thing, will "lead".

It is also worth examining the label, on which the fibrous composition must be prescribed in percentage, as well as the percentage of shrinkage, which will need to be taken into account when cutting.

And the last (or rather, this item should come first): the texture, density, weaving and elasticity of the knitwear must correspond to the purpose of the thing that will be sewn out of it.

Knitwear is a material that today finds the widest application in sewing all kinds of clothes and in everyday life. Having provided such products with proper care, you can delight yourself for a long time with the unique comfort that knitted items can give.