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Double Knits Fabric – An Italian Innovation
Double knits fabric was first produced by Italian fabric makers for designer garments. Double knits fabric is comfortable to wear, wrinkle-resistant, and economical. These knits are identified by the vertical ribbing on both sides of the fabric. Examples of these knits are wool double-knits, polyester double-knits also known as ponte knits, and ribbing. These knits can return to their original shape when stretched on the cross grain.
Fabric Characteristics:
• These knits are easy to sew • Require a napped layout, single or double layer, right sides together • Have little or no cross-wise stretch • They do not run or ravel • They are stable and firm without being rigid • These knits retain crisp, structured shapes • Sometimes they have a permanent crease line at the fold, which can be hard to iron or steam out • Skipped stitches can be a problem • Can be used for unlined and reversible garments due to the same ribbing on both sides • These knits maintain their shape when hung up
Working With These Fabrics Requires:
• Sewing machine needles used should be 70/10-90/12 universal and stretch needles • Hand sewing needles should be sizes 5-9 • Sewing machine settings should be a stitch length of 2-2.5 mm with a lightly balanced tension • Sewing machine feet should be a standard presser foot, wide straight-stitch, roller or even feed foot • Thread should be all-purpose cotton, polyester or cotton/polyester blend, and for topstitching all-purpose topstitching thread or silk thread size D, polyester thread is the most highly recommended because it has some stretch • Tools and equipment required are sharp scissors, rotary cutter and mat, sharp shears, sewing straight pins, safety pins, pattern weights, a shim and stabilizers • Markers recommended are Clo-Chalk, fabric markers • Seams and hems can be plain, twin needle stitched, zigzagged seams just to name a few, hems hand blind stitched, machine blind stitched, to name a few, seam and hem finishes can be serged, and zigzagged to mention a few • Interfacings recommended are sew-in or fused • Closures can be all types
These Fabrics Are Suitable For:
These knits are good for jackets, pull-on-pants, cardigans, dresses, pull-on-skirts, and children’s clothing.
For information about the notions, tools, and equipment required to complete a sewing project, click here to view the sewing notions home page For more information about this family of fabrics some great references are:
Claire Shaeffer’s Fabric Sewing Guide
More Fabric Savvy by Sandra Betzina For more interesting information about double knits fabric click here on wazoodle.com
Faux Fur
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