Jersey fabric is a popular ‘knit fabric’ used in clothing. Traditionally, jersey fabric was made out of wool — however nowadays most jersey fabrics are made out of cotton or even a blend that contains wool.
Jersey has also come to be associated with activewear, such as football or basketball tops. This ‘synthetic jersey’ is usually made from polyester or a blend of polyester and spandex. This is a different type of jersey entirely.
This may seem confusing, but the name denotes the region of the world the fabric comes from (the island of Jersey in the English Channel). Both synthetic and ‘normal’ jersey knitted fabrics have their origins there.
What Is Jersey Fabric Used For?
Because it is close-knit, lightweight and very stretchy, jersey fabric is often the fabric of choice for clothes worn close to the skin. It also has an attractive drape, making it useful for flowing garments and homeware, such as curtains.
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Clothing |
Homeware |
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T-shirts |
Throw blankets |
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Jumpers |
Throw pillows (synthetic jersey) |
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Cardigans |
Curtains (synthetic jersey) |
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Warm gloves (mittens) |
Furniture covers / protectors (synthetic jersey) |
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Sports ‘jerseys’ (synthetic jersey) |
Throw pillows (synthetic jersey) |
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Pyjamas (synthetic jersey) |
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Dresses (synthetic jersey) |
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Gym gear (synthetic jersey) |
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Lingerie (synthetic jersey) |
Jersey fabric can also be used to make bags (such as totes and drawstring bags), hats, scarves, headbands and other accessories.
What Can I Make With Jersey Fabric?
Jersey’s best days may be behind it when it comes to High Fashion, but it still dominates in everyday life. Like concrete and oxygen, jersey fabric is pretty much all around us, everywhere.
Most of jersey fabric’s uses are in the clothing world, but bedding is also an area outside of fashion where the fabric is ubiquitous.
- Everyday clothing — From the t-shirt you’re currently wearing to underwear and everything in between.
- Activewear & sportswear — Sports tops, joggers, and anything you will see in the gym.
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Bedding —
What Does Jersey Fabric Feel Like?
The chances are you are wearing jersey fabric right now. If you’re wearing a t-shirt, then you are wearing jersey fabric.
This also reveals a trend in how jersey cotton has largely shifted away from being predominantly wool, to cotton (if we aren’t including synthetic jersey).
Properties Of Jersey Fabric: Advantages, Disadvantages & Characteristics
Jersey fabric remains one of the most popular fabrics of all time, despite its drawbacks.
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✓ |
X |
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Soft & comfortable |
Subject to pilling |
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Stretchy & flexible |
Limited shape retention |
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Breathable |
Colours may bleed or fade over time |
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Drapes well |
Shrink easily |
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Durable |
Not eco-friendly (synthetic jersey) |
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Easy to look after |
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Environmentally green (non-synthetic) |
Different Types Of Jersey Fabrics
Different types of jersey fabric include the following:
- Cloque jersey — This type is knitted in a way that involves adding extra loops of yarn to the fabric. The result is a distinct embossed or ‘puckered’ texture. Normally, cloque jersey is made from cotton, linen or wool.
- Interlock or ‘double’ jersey — As the name suggests, this fabric is twice as thick as regular jersey. It is made from two sets of interlocked yarns that are interlaced at regular intervals. The result is a more stable, smoother, flatter type of jersey.
- Jacquard jersey — This type of jersey fabric often has intricate and complex patterns and designs. It is made on a jacquard loom. Like other jacquard fabrics that we have, this is a more luxurious and distinguished type, making it fitting for special occasions.
- Slub jersey — This type is deliberately knitted to feel irregular and ‘bumpy’. Despite what it sounds like, it’s very comfortable against the skin and often a popular choice for underwear and lingerie.
- Stretch jersey — This type of jersey is, as the name suggests, a type of knit fabric that is stretchier than most other types. It is often a blend of cotton and lycra fabric (spandex) and so is very popular for men and women of all ages, for all types of purposes.
Similar, Alternative Fabrics To Jersey
Similar close-knit fabrics include French terry, which is a double-knit fabric with a smooth surface on one side, with a soft looping texture on the other. French terry is often used for hoodies, jumpers, and other comfortable types of clothes to lounge around in.
Wool is also a similar alternative that you could explore and requires less energy to “manufacture” (remove from animals). Wool is also warmer than wool jersey. However, jersey fabrics made out of wool are more breathable, comfortable, and form-fitting.
You can find a good alternative to synthetic jersey in Rayon fabrics. Rayon does not have quite the negative environmental impact that synthetic jersey can have. And it can be just as durable and stretchy and — depending on the blend — even more breathable and moisture-wicking.
Is Jersey Fabric Eco-Friendly?
The wool and cotton versions of jersey fabric have the potential to be completely environmentally green. This is because wool is an animal product, that involves no agrochemicals or agricultural pollutants, and because cotton is highly biodegradable and can be grown organically.
Synthetic jersey, on the other hand, is toward the opposite end of the spectrum. Toxic chemicals are, unfortunately, routinely used in the production of synthetic blends. These toxins can leak into the environment and drinking water, making it unsustainable environmentally.
A Brief History Of Jersey Fabric
Jersey fabric gets its name from Jersey, an island in the Channel Islands of the English Channel. Some form of jersey fabric probably existed in the mediaeval period, as a reliable way to craft jumpers and underwear for the fishermen. Over the centuries, this type of fabric gradually became more popular and spread across the United Kingdom.
Across the nineteenth century and early twentieth, as the UK became a major world influence, jersey fabric was exported and adopted across the world, including mainly the United States and Europe. However, it wasn’t until the iconic fashion designer Coco Chanel ‘discovered’ the fabric in 1916 that it took off and entered into mainstream use and popularity.