Eyelash Knit

What a fun fabric! This furry fabric comes in a wide variety of textures and styles, from long to short pile, and can even include a bit of metallic in the yarns. While it is essentially a sweater knit, it has the appearance of a stylized faux fur. It’s easy to sew, and easy care, and will add just the right punch of fun to your sewing projects.

Pretreatment:

Cold water wash, lay flat to dry. Do not iron, and do not use high heat near this fabric.

Needles and Thread:

Use a stretch needle, size 75/11, for construction. Cotton covered polyester or all polyester thread is best for this fabric.

Seams, Seam Finishes, and Hems:

On a conventional machine, use a zigzag stitch (2.0length, 2.0 width) for construction. On a serger, a wide 3-thread overlock stitch is best. For hems, use a twin needle (stretch or jersey), or use a cover stitch. Seams can be finished with a serged stitch or with a wide zigzag.

Interfacing:

Because the fabric will crush and possibly melt with the application of high heat, it is best to forego the use of fusibles for your eyelash project. Instead, use a sew in interfacing fabric such as mesh knit or tricot for the few areas that will require support.

Pattern Suggestions:

Because the fabric is so highly textured, it is best to keep the patterns simple. Look for patterns that have the same lines as purchased sweaters; cardigans, turtle- or cowl-necks, shawls, ponchos, tees, and simple jackets work well with this fabric. Smaller pieces of eyelash knit can be used for terrific details such as collars, cuffs, and appliqués.

Creative possibilities:

For a trendy, easy scarf, cut a piece of eyelash knit on the crossgrain, 18 inches wide. Fold in half lengthwise and stitch the long seam. Turn right side out; it is not necessary to finish the selvedge edges. This is truly a 10 minute project!

Additional Tips:

Treat your finished eyelash knit garments as you would treat a fine sweater. Keep a vacuum cleaner handy when cutting this fabric; it sheds. And after cutting your garment, wipe your scissor blades with a soft cloth to clean them.