What Is Jersey Fabric?

Jersey fabric - what is it, and where is it used? Jersey is quite a popular fabric. Almost every closet will find a piece of clothing made of this soft, pleasant-to-the-body material. Modern technology has created a large number of different fabrics that are widely used for the manufacture of products necessary for a person. However, there are also ancient, time-tested types of relevant and fashionable fabrics. Jersey is a fabric of universal application and is one of them. This article will help us learn more about the properties of the fabric, its characteristics, and spheres of application.

The fabric is warm, flexible, stretchy, and very insulating, making it a popular choice for garments closest to the body. Jersey fabric also tends to be soft, making it very comfortable. The textile is named after the island of Jersey. Jersey is the largest island, the Channel Islands, between England and France. This article will familiarize us with jersey fabric, its description, and composition. We will consider this material's advantages and disadvantages and its application area. We will also consider how to care for jersey fabric so that things sewn from this fabric last as long as possible and please us with their beautiful appearance.

Many admiring words have been said about jersey fabric. Knitted fabric is multifunctional: warms do not cause discomfort and tightness, help to emphasize individuality, and create a special style. But today, we can talk about the popularity of cozy knitwear. Once, it was not accepted in the fashion world, considering it a fabric suitable only for sewing work clothes.

In the English Channel, which connects England to France, are the Channel Islands. And jersey is one of them. It was here that knitwear production began in the early 19th century. One can hear the opinion that there was a special breed of sheep, the wool used to make cloth. The sheep there were the most common - the Boyder-Leicester and Hampshire breeds. But the merit of the locals is that they gave the world a wonderful fabric, warm and cozy. However, it wasn't thought of that way at first. The emergence of the jersey fabric is due to the geographical location. The climate in the Channel Islands is harsh, and the weather is unpredictable. So that local fishermen did not feel discomfort, the cloth was made, the main task of which - was protection from wind and cold. Initially, it was used for sewing underwear and fishing clothes, so aesthetic properties were out of the question. Outfits made of it were dense and unsightly.

The first attempt to "cultivate" Jersey, to introduce the fabric into the fashion world, was made in 1879. A native of the island, theater star Lilly Langtry, went out in the world in a jersey fabric outfit, which was sewn especially for her. The attempt failed miserably. The fashionable bow did not impress the public, and knitwear was not widespread.

In the early twentieth century, Miss Coco took up the cause. It is now she is considered an icon of style. And in 1916, no one knew the fashion designer. But she still took a risk and released a collection of ladies' coats. The media criticized the couturier from France and accused them of lack of taste. Many designers were perplexed: how can you dress socialites in fabric designed for sewing underwear? But Coco did not give up and released a second collection. It included the very small straight-cut dress, which remains fashionable today. Since then, jersey fabric has become an elite material.

Modern classification distinguishes the material by the fibers it contains. There are three main types - natural, synthetic, and artificial.

The first group includes wool, cotton, linen, or silk fabrics. It is possible to add a small amount of viscose and other synthetic fibers:
- Elastane is often added to cotton jersey fabric, giving the material wear resistance.
- The most expensive type of jersey fabric is silk fabric. Its special smoothness and attractive appearance distinguishes the surface of the material.
- Wool jersey fabric is the warmest type, providing comfort at any ambient temperature.

The base of synthetic jersey fabric is polyester. Elastane, lycra, spandex, and other fibers are used to give better properties in the composition of the fabric. All of them serve to improve elasticity; this kind of fabric is also called stretch jerseys. The main positive characteristic of synthetic material is its wear resistance and durability. From this point of view, jersey fabric can even compete with nylon.

Artificial fabric is a material based on fibers derived from wood. Most often, bamboo and viscose fiber, obtained from the processing of cellulose, are used for this purpose. These materials are environmentally friendly and do not cause allergic reactions.

Jersey fabric is easy to sew from - ordinary knitting needles and overlock processing are suitable. Such clothes can be bought everywhere, and they are easy to produce. The composition of Jersey is dominated by natural fibers, so the material:

- Hygroscopic - absorbs shape well;
- Breathable - allows you to regulate heat exchange; the skin breathes;
- Ecological (if fully woolen, silk, or cotton);
- Safe - jersey fabric does not cause allergies and irritation;
- Wear-resistant and mold-resistant - does not roll up, does not stretch out;
- Easy to care for - jersey fabric can be washed well;
- Lightweight - jersey fabric does not restrict movement;
- Soft and pleasant to the touch;
- Practically does not wrinkle due to the peculiarities of knitting and, in some cases, due to the presence of synthetics;
- Elastic - stretches elastically without stretching;
- Draped - forms soft, elegant folds (does not hold ironed "arrows" and does not form creases).

However, there are features of the material that are worth considering:

- Jersey fabric absorbs moisture well and, therefore, takes a long time to dry;
- Stretches more in width than in length (because of the weave);
- Jersey fabric can be deformed when exposed to high temperatures.
- The cost of jersey fabric depends on the composition. The most expensive variety is considered a silk fabric - it is thin and glossy. Cotton material is hygroscopic but not too elastic. Viscose in the composition reduces water resistance. Synthetics increases the service life of the thing.

Jersey fabric is considered a universal material, so we can safely say that the scope of its application is quite wide. This material can make many products, from expensive evening dresses to home and sportswear, underwear, and jackets . Today, shoes made of this material are also in fashion.

In addition, jersey fabric is used in sports and travel clothing production. From jersey sew coats, jackets, sweaters, sweaters, cardigans, T-shirts, dresses, swimwear, and hosiery. But the most popular jersey fabric product is the dress. Thanks to the softness of the fabric, it is perfectly draped and fits the body, emphasizing the advantages of the female figure.

Women's jersey fabric dresses are a must-have closet item. They are comfortable to wear and gracefully repeat the figure's contours without emphasizing the shortcomings. Designers often use this type of jersey fabric to sew dresses and suits for ladies with lush shapes. Jersey fabric is found in skirts and pants of the everyday image because they look good and do not need special care, for which time is often insufficient. Different variants of thin and dense fabrics allow you to sew warm jackets and lightweight shirts for fall weather.

Depending on the type of fabric, jersey fabric can be used to make a set of bedding. Also, this material produces shoes: sneakers, sneakers, sports shoes, and slippers. Such shoes are characterized by good hygroscopicity, breathability, and wear resistance.

Jersey fabric is easy to sew; even a novice seamstress can handle it. But for the production of bedding, the jersey is not quite suitable. Today, there are a lot of fabrics for bedding on the market, but one of the most natural and non-capricious remains calico. Buy calico fabric wholesale rolls if you sew bedding on a production scale.

For jersey fabric garments to last a long time and please with their appearance, adhering to certain rules in the matter of care is necessary. Both hand and machine washing are allowed with the use of soft substances, preferably liquid. The water temperature should not exceed 30-40 degrees. Even at low temperatures, white things from jersey fabric can not be washed with color.

Rinse things made of jersey fabric only in cold water at a temperature not exceeding 20 degrees so the material will retain its original color. The help of a drying machine should be refused. Dry the jersey fabric product should be horizontal, having previously spread it with your hands. You can hang it on hangers and hang it over the bathtub.

It is better to iron things from jersey fabric with the help of a steamer. If there is no such possibility, the temperature of the heating iron should not exceed 110 degrees. Iron this jersey with a damp cloth. Store clean clothes folded or on hangers in a well-ventilated place and keep them out of direct sunlight.