Viscose Jersey Fabrics
Just before half term I had a lovely delivery of solid colour viscose jersey fabrics. They’re soft, drapey, and perfect for dressmaking.
What Is Viscose Jersey?
Viscose jersey is a knitted fabric made from viscose fibres that have been blended with some elastane (or lycra / spandex). Viscose is a semi-natural material made from wood pulp and the viscose content gives the fabric a really lovely drape. The elastane gives the fabric its stretch and recovery. Viscose jerseys tend to have between 4 and 8% elastane in them.
Viscose jersey has a really nice stretch, smooth feel and that lovely drape that you want for dresses and tops.
Compared to a cotton jersey it feels more fluid and drapey.
Sewing With Viscose Jersey
If you’ve not sewn with a viscose jersey fabric before, here are a few quick tips:
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Use a ballpoint or stretch needle, they have a rounded tip and will glide through the knit fabric and prevent damage to the fabric and skipped stitches.
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On your sewing machine use a stretch stitch or a narrow zigzag. This will keep your seams nice and flexible.
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You can also use your overlocker / serger if you have one.
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Pre-wash your fabric before you cut out your project as viscose can shrink a bit in the wash
In my latest YouTube video I chat about what a viscose jersey fabric is, how to sew with it and show you the gorgeous new colourways of viscose jersey that have just arrived.
