Single Jersey Fabric & Double-Sided Fabric

1. What Is Single Jersey?

Single Jersey Fabric is a type of circular knitted fabric (Weft Knit). The knitting machine for single jersey fabric has only one row of needles, while the knitting machine for double jersey fabric has two rows of needles. This makes the fabric feel like it has only one layer when woven (much like basic knitting yarn), and the textures on both sides are different, which is why it is called “single jersey fabric”.

Characteristics of single-sided fabric

If you have single-sided fabric in your hand, you can feel the feel of both sides. Usually, the feel of both sides will be slightly different. Single-sided fabric feels softer, lighter, and has more drape than double-sided fabric (if they are of the same specifications). Single-sided fabric is also more breathable than double-sided fabric.

Uses of single-sided fabric

Single-sided fabric can usually be used as T-shirts, sports tops, yoga pants, etc. Because single-sided fabric is more breathable than double-sided fabric, sweat is easier to discharge from the skin.

2. Double-Sided Fabric

Interlock or double knit is also a type of circular knit fabric (Weft Knit). The interlock knitting machine has two rows of needles, and the fabric is like weaving the backs of two single-sided fabrics together. There are many types of interlock fabrics, such as rib fabric, PK fabric, health fabric, etc. But if it is a flat double-sided fabric, the weave on both sides of the fabric will be the same, so it is called “interlock fabric”.

Characteristics of double-sided fabric

Compared with single-sided fabric, double-sided fabric is usually thicker, heavier, and stiffer (if it is of the same specifications), but it is less breathable than single-sided fabric.

Uses of double-sided fabric

Double-sided fabric can be used as trousers, skirts, opaque sports tights, polo shirts, etc. It has a wide range of uses, and the clothes made are usually stiffer.

3. How To Distinguish Single-Sided Fabric From Double-Sided Fabric?

If you look closely at the weave of a plain single-sided fabric, you will find that the weave on both sides is different. On the contrary, the two sides of a double-sided fabric look the same. However, the above method can only be used for plain single-sided and double-sided fabrics. If it is a woven fabric, please use the second method: stretch the fabric to observe the curling of the fabric edge.

Put your fabric straight (the weave is perpendicular to you), then pull the left and right edges of the fabric to see if the fabric edge parallel to you curls. If there is curling, it is a single-sided fabric, and if there is no curling, it is a double-sided fabric. This is why double-sided fabric is often used for laser cutting or seamless cutting of underwear.