Matte Jersey
by Shannon Gifford
  • sewing tutorials
  • sewing guides 2004-2009
  • inspiration
  • fabric store
  • Matte Jersey

    You'll love the way this fabric feels! The softness and sheen combine for a beautiful knit, which can be used for a wide variety of garment projects.

    Pretreatment:

    Handwash with a drop of baby shampoo in a basin of cool water. Roll in a towel to squeeze out excess moisture, then lay flat to dry.

    Needles and Thread:

    Jersey or stretch needles, size 11, are the best choice for matte jersey. Use a cotton covered polyester or all polyester thread for construction.

    Seams, Seam Finishes, and Hems:

    Use a zigzag stitch, 2.0 length, 1.5 width for construction seams. If you have a serger, a 3 thread balanced stitch is recommended. Seam finishes are not necessary, as the fabric does not ravel. Hems can be twin-needle stitched, using a 2.5/75 stretch twin needle. You'll want this narrower width between the two needles to be in balance with the delicate nature of the fabric. A narrow coverstitch is also a good choice for hemming matte jersey.

    Interfacing:

    If your pattern has an area requiring interfacing, use the lightest weight fusible. Touch of Gold is a good choice. Test your fabric with a scrap of fusible to make certain the lines of the interfacing are not visible from the right side. If they are visible, choose a sew-in fabric for interfacing; a good choice is swimwear lining.

    Pattern Suggestions:

    Tanks, tops, turtlenecks, cowlnecks, shrugs, shawls, dresses, drapey skirts, draped details, eveningwear, gored skirts, full pants, kimono-style jackets.

    Creative Possibilities:

    Try mixing this fabric with lace for a truly comfortable, feminine garment. Stretch lace is recommended for this combination. Lay the lace flat on the jersey and pin or baste in place. Stitch the lace in place with a zigzag stitch, then carefully trim the fabric behind the lace. You might choose to add beads or sequins for an evening garment.

    Additional Tips:

    Use medium to low heat when pressing the seams in this fabric, and use a press cloth.

    Copyright (c) 2018 by EmmaOneSock