Working With Knit Fabrics | Bernina Sew N Quilt Studio

Fewer things are cozier than a nice, thick, knit fabric. But as you know, this type of fabric can be trickier to work with than light and breathable woven fabrics.

So, let’s take some time to learn what it takes to incorporate knit fabric into projects:

Defining Knit Fabric

Unlike woven fabrics, which weave together horizontal and vertical threads to create a thin, flat fabric, knit fabrics are knit in a way that forms interlocking loops—like your favorite sweater or scarf! Knit fabrics have the benefit of being thicker and stretchier than woven fabrics, making them comfortable and cozy.

There are a variety of knit fabrics available, each with a different weight and amount of stretch. It’s important to know the difference between the different knit fabrics to pick the perfect one for your project.

  • Jersey is the most common type of knit fabric. It’s lightweight, stretchy and commonly used in T-shirts.

  • Double Knit fabric is sturdy and double-sided. Because it’s not as stretchy as jersey and has two “right” sides, this is an easier knit fabric to handle and is good for beginners.

  • Sweater Knits are exactly what you’d think—these are thick, can be fuzzy and have more stitch definition, just like a hand-knit sweater!

Use the Right Tools

To sew knit fabrics correctly, you need to use the correct tools. First, you need a ruler for measuring and a rotary cutter and cutting mat for cutting!

Make sure that you’re using the correct sewing machine needle for a project using knit fabric. Unlike with other sewing projects, you’ll want to use a duller needle that will push knit fibers apart, instead of a sharp needle that pierces the fabric. A variety of needles exist that are perfect for each different type of knit fabric.

You’ll also need to use an appropriate thread. Like other sewing projects, the type of thread that you use for working with knit fabrics will influence the final results. Using all-purpose or cotton thread can be more forgiving than a polyester thread for most knit fabrics.

You can improve your sewing technique more with classes! Visit the Bernina Sew N Quilt Studio website to learn more about our options for all sewing levels.