How to Choose Cotton Knit Fabric

Cotton knit fabric has a soft and supple drape that makes it an excellent choice for many sewing projects. It is perfect for dresses, kilts, and wide pants, and has excellent breathability and absorbency. This fabric is also lightweight and can be used for many different seasons. However, it is not a good choice for clothing that needs to hold its shape, such as sweaters or jackets. If you're looking for a more durable, stretchy material, try viscose knit fabric. Its high drapability gives it considerable stretch.

Cotton knits are also commonly blended with other fibers, such as polyester. This type of fabric has extra stretch and is popular for t-shirts. However, if you're looking for a more lightweight fabric, try a cotton/spandex knit fabric. This fabric contains a high percentage of cotton and a small percentage of spandex.

There are three types of cotton knit fabric. One is double knit. This material is made of two sets of yarns, with fine ribs running lengthwise on both sides. This fabric can be reversible, so you can wear the same outfit both ways. However, double knit fabric is heavy and generally has little stretch in either direction. This makes it a better choice for tailored garments.

The fiber content of knit fabrics is important for comfort and style. Natural fibers feel better against the skin, while synthetic fibers can cause allergies and breathing issues. Therefore, be sure to check the label of your fabric to make sure you know the exact fiber content. You can also look at different brands for the same type of fabric.

The fabric weight is also important for comfort and durability. It can be measured in specialized testing laboratories, and is called GSM (grams per square meter). The weight of your fabric will determine its drape, which will inform you where to wear it and how well it will fit your body. In addition, it will also affect its wearability and usage.

The most common way to tell the fabric type is by examining it closely. You can also look at the composition of its threads, which will affect its performance. The fiber is the smallest unit of textile that can be seen through a fabric. The fibers can be natural or synthetic. Cotton and wool are common natural fibers, while synthetic fibers include acrylic and nylon. When purchasing a cotton knit fabric, remember to look at its fiber composition.

When shopping for cotton knit fabric, you should look for a fabric that is easy to wash. A fabric that is easy to care for is easy to maintain. You can hand wash or machine wash it. Cotton knit fabric is not likely to shrink much. It can also be machine-dried or tumble dried, but the fabric will retain its shape. You can even spot clean it easily.