Jersey fabric is widely used in everyday life. It is very much loved by designers from different countries. Jersey gained popularity many years ago and has not lost its former glory to this day.
History of the rise of popularity
The origin of the fabric is associated with the island of Jersey, which is located in the English Channel near England. It was here that farmers bred sheep, from whose wool they began to produce the material. The island was blown by winds from all sides, so the fabric served as good protection from the cold. Initially, jersey was used to sew underwear. Over time, attempts began to sell sportswear from jersey, which were unsuccessful.
In 1916, the well-known fashionista Coco Chanel presented to the world her collection of outerwear models, which was created from this fabric. The French elite was very outraged by such an act, but this only increased interest in the material and made it really popular. In the next collection, the designer presented straight-cut dresses made from it.
What can be included in the composition
What is jersey fabric? At first, the fabric was made exclusively from wool. Over time, the composition of jersey knitwear changed, and different components began to be added to it:
- viscose;
- silk;
- cotton;
- angora;
- synthetic fibers.
Types by composition
The fabric composition has three varieties, which differ significantly from each other in their main characteristics:
- natural. The fibers are made from natural materials - wool, flax, silk, cotton;
- artificial ones are made from viscose fabric, which in turn can be eucalyptus or bamboo;
- Synthetic fabrics are fabrics that are polyester, lycra and elastane.
Sometimes manufacturers can combine several types of fabrics. This makes it possible to obtain more positive properties, for example, the material becomes pleasant to the body and wear-resistant at the same time.
The most expensive is jersey, which is made from silk.
For your information! Products made from natural fabrics do not stretch well, while synthetic materials stretch well and do not deform.
Production technology
Machine knitting is used for production. Due to single-row weaving, horizontal lines are formed on the back side and vertical lines on the front side.
Modern weaving technologies make it possible to combine fibers that are different in structure, as well as enrich them with aloe extract and silver ions.
Moisture resistance, frost resistance, antibacterial impregnation, spraying with precious metals - all this concerns jersey. These are the very designer experiments that are carried out with the material.
Scope of application
What is jersey made of? Since the material has many varieties, it is widely used for sewing underwear, skirts, dresses and even outerwear. It is especially popular with manufacturers of children's and women's clothing.
For your information! If the item is made of cotton fabric, it will absorb moisture well, but if you add viscose to the jersey, the moisture will be absorbed worse.
Polyurethane fibers will extend the life of the product. Experimenting in this way, they make fabric that is suitable for the production of any things.
The different composition of the fibers makes it possible to sew items of different cost, so the items are available to families with different financial means. Today, there is probably not a single home where there is no jersey clothing in the closet.
Caring for Jersey Products
The fabric is easy to care for, and the clothes can be washed in a washing machine. However, there are several recommendations that will help maintain the quality and attractive appearance of the products:
- Rinse items in cool water, the temperature of which does not exceed 20 °C. This will help preserve the color of the fibers;
- spinning is carried out at minimum speed;
- Natural drying is suitable, without the use of heating devices. Before drying, clothes are well straightened, this will help to avoid the formation of folds;
- If the product requires ironing, it is better to use a steamer. The steam will smooth out the folds well and refresh the material. Iron through gauze and at a minimum temperature.
If the clothes haven't been worn for a long time and have absorbed an unpleasant smell after lying in the closet, you can put them in a steam bath. Pour boiling water into a large bowl and hang the clothes on a hanger above it.
Please note! Before sending clothes to the wash, you should study the label. It contains all the necessary information that will help to avoid deformation and ensure a long life for the items.
How to tell if it's a jersey
Jersey has good elasticity, but this is not its only characteristic feature. Such properties are inherent in different knitted fabrics. It stretches well in width and practically does not stretch in length.
The main characteristic of jersey is that it curls when stretched. If you pull the raw edge, it will curl into a tube.
Advantages and disadvantages
Jersey knitwear, like other types, has its advantages and disadvantages. Everything depends on its composition, but some conclusions can be made about this material.
| Pros | Cons |
| The fabric has excellent decorative qualities. Jersey drapes well - it produces voluminous folds, which is why it is a favorite material of fashion designers. | If the fabric contains cotton, you need to wash it before you start sewing. This will help prevent shrinkage. If you don’t want to wash it, you should use patterns that are designed for knitted fabrics, as they include a shrinkage coefficient. |
| Any clothes can be made from it. | If the material is of poor quality, pellets may form. |
| Does not crease. Items can be stored folded in a closet or worn on the road. There will be no folds on them that will spoil the appearance of the product. | The fabric fits well, which means it will highlight all the flaws of your figure. |
| Allows you to create stylish items that meet the latest fashion trends. | If the composition includes only artificial fibers, they will have very low hygroscopicity, and such clothes will be uncomfortable in the summer. |
| It is lightweight, so it is almost not felt on the body. Because of this, it is used in sewing summer clothes. | Some things require the use of antistatic. |
| In the presence of natural fibers, it has hygroscopic properties, due to which it absorbs moisture well and is used in winter and summer. | |
| It has good wear resistance, so things will last a long time. | |
| Suitable for machine washing, spins well. |
Reviews
Tatyana, 25: I have two active little ones. I buy them clothes exclusively made of jersey fabric, because only this material can withstand trips to the sandbox and endless washings. Even light beige T-shirts can retain their attractive appearance after many experiments.
Maxim, 34: I really like to travel by train or bus. Before, after a night trip, I was ashamed to come out of the road in a wrinkled shirt and pants. It felt like everyone was looking at me. But one day I was lucky enough to buy things that withstood a long trip and looked like they had been well ironed. I asked about the description of the fabric, and it turned out to be jersey. Since then, I often buy exactly this kind of clothes.
As you can see from the reviews, jersey products are practical. They meet all the requirements and trends of fashion, are widely used in everyday wear, and most importantly, they are suitable for families with different financial capabilities.
