Here at GYJ we’re often asked about single jersey fabric and interlock fabric. What is the difference between the two? And which fabric is the best option for a particular project?
In this post we cover interlock and single jersey fabric properties. And hopefully help you to make a decision as to which material matches your requirements.
Single Jersey Fabric
How is Single Jersey Fabric Made?
Single jersey fabric is a type of weft knitted fabric. The knitting machine used to manufacture single jersey fabric has just one row of needles, whereas with interlock there are two.
This creates just one layer of fabric (just like if you were knitting a basic scarf). And this is where single jersey fabric gets its name.
Single Jersey Fabric Properties
When you handle single jersey fabric, you’ll quickly find that one side of the fabric is smoother than the other. The material feels soft and light and it drapes very easily. Single jersey fabric is also very breathable.
Single Jersey Fabric Uses
Single jersey fabric is often used for sports t-shirts and leggings. This is because the material is very breathable so sweat doesn’t stay locked between the garment and the skin. It’s also a popular option for regular t-shirts too.
Bear in mind that these are just examples. Fabrics don’t have to be used for a specific application. As long as a material fits your design, it’s suitable for the job.
Interlock Fabric
How is Interlock Fabric Made?
Interlock fabric is also known as double knit fabric. This is another type of weft knitted fabric. But it differs from single jersey fabric in that it’s manufactured using two rows of needles. You can picture it like two layers of single jersey fabric, knitted together back to back.
There are different varieties of interlock fabric, including rib and pique. However, if you have plain interlock material it will look the same on both sides.
Interlock Fabric Properties
In comparison to single jersey fabric, interlock fabric feels thicker, heavier and firmer.
Interlock Fabric Uses
Interlock fabric is used to make a wide variety of garments. Trousers, dresses, opaque leggings and polo shirts are just a few examples.
But, as mentioned above, these aren’t the only garments interlock fabric can be used to make. Design dictates the material you use much more than a list of examples.
How to Identify Single Jersey Fabric and Interlock Fabric
If you’re trying to determine whether a swatch of fabric is single jersey or interlock, there are two key things you need to look at:
Knitting Pattern
If you take a close look at the knitting pattern of plain knitted single jersey fabric, you’ll find that both sides look different. In contrast, both sides of an plain knitted interlock or double knit fabric will look exactly the same.
However, this is only true when looking at plain knitted fabric of either variety. If a different knitting method has been used, this test isn’t so useful. And you’ll need to do a little more reading to find out what to look out for.
Curling
Take your fabric and stretch it horizontally. If the fabric curls over on the stretched edge, it is single jersey fabric. If it doesn’t curl, it’s interlock fabric. This is one of the reasons why interlock is popular for free cut and laser cut garments.
GYJ is a knitted fabric supplier. We supply both single jersey and interlock fabric, mainly for sportswear, casual wear and underwear garments.
If you’d like to find out more about the wide range of fabrics we provide, get in touch today.
