Understanding Jersey Fabric: Types, Composition and Applications

What Is Jersey Fabric?

Jersey fabric is a knitted fabric made by interlocking loops of yarn. Unlike woven fabric, jersey has natural stretch because of its loop structure. This gives the fabric better flexibility, drape and comfort for daily wear.

Jersey can be made from many different materials, such as cotton, polyester, viscose, rayon, bamboo, nylon, spandex or blended yarns. Different compositions will create different hand feel, stretch, breathability, shrinkage control and durability.

Features of Jersey Fabric

Fabric Name	Jersey Fabric
Fabric Construction	Knitted fabric made with looped yarn structure
Main Types	Single jersey, double jersey
Common Materials	Cotton, polyester, viscose, rayon, bamboo, nylon, spandex and blended yarns
Hand Feel	Soft, smooth and comfortable
Stretch	Good natural stretch, with better recovery when spandex is added
Drape	Usually soft and flexible, suitable for close-to-body garments
Breathability	Good, especially for cotton, viscose and bamboo-rich qualities
Common Uses	T-shirts, underwear, sportswear, dresses, skirts, loungewear, kidswear and lightweight fashion garments

Single Jersey vs Double Jersey

Single jersey and double jersey are both knitted fabrics, but they are different in structure, appearance and garment performance.

Single jersey fabric has a clear face side and reverse side. The face side usually shows a neat V-shaped stitch pattern and has a smoother surface. The reverse side looks more like small loops or soft waves. In garment production, the clearer and smoother V-pattern side is usually used as the face side.

Double jersey fabric, is usually more stable and has a smoother appearance on both sides. Because both sides can look clean, double jersey or interlock jersey can be used for garments that require more body, better shape retention and a more premium appearance.

Structure	Single jersey has different face and reverse sides. Double jersey or interlock is more stable and usually smoother on both sides.
Fabric Feel	Single jersey is usually lighter and softer. Double jersey is usually thicker, firmer and more structured.
Appearance	Single jersey has a clear V pattern on the face side and a loop-like reverse side. Double jersey has a cleaner appearance on both sides.
Best Uses	Single jersey is common for T-shirts, tops and underwear. Double jersey or interlock is suitable for polo shirts, dresses, babywear, uniforms and more structured casualwear.

Common Types of Jersey Fabric

Jersey fabric can be developed in different ways according to the yarn, knitting structure, colour design and finishing. Below are some common jersey fabric types used in apparel production.

Plain Jersey Fabric	The most basic and common jersey fabric, widely used for T-shirts, tops, underwear, sleepwear and everyday casual garments.
Printed Jersey Fabric	Made by printing patterns onto the jersey base fabric. Suitable for fashion tops, kidswear, sleepwear, dresses and seasonal collections.
Stripe Jersey Fabric	Can be yarn-dyed or printed. Yarn-dyed stripes usually give a cleaner stripe effect, while printed stripes are more flexible for artwork and small programs.
Perforated Jersey Fabric	Designed with small holes or open areas by knitting, laser cutting or punching. Often used for sports tops, breathable panels and fashion styles.
Spandex Jersey Fabric	Contains elastane for better stretch and recovery. Suitable for fitted tops, leggings, activewear, dancewear and close-to-body garments.

How Composition Affects Jersey Fabric

Jersey fabric can be made from many different fibres, and each composition gives the fabric a different character. When choosing jersey fabric, buyers should not only look at the fabric name, but also check the composition, GSM, stretch, hand feel and final garment use.

100% Cotton Jersey	Soft, natural and comfortable against the skin. Suitable for T-shirts, babywear, underwear and casual tops. Shrinkage control should be considered for cotton-rich qualities.
Cotton Polyester Jersey	Combines cotton comfort with better durability and easier care from polyester. Suitable for everyday T-shirts, uniforms, casualwear and promotional apparel.
Viscose or Rayon Jersey	Soft, smooth and drapey. Suitable for women’s tops, dresses, skirts, loungewear and relaxed fashion garments.
Bamboo Jersey	Very soft and comfortable with a smooth hand feel. Suitable for babywear, underwear, sleepwear, loungewear and skin-friendly garments.
Polyester Jersey	Durable, easy to care for and quick-drying. Suitable for sportswear, active tops, sublimation printing and lightweight performance garments.
Nylon Spandex Jersey	Smooth, stretchy and suitable for body-hugging garments. Commonly used for activewear, dancewear, swim-related cover-ups and fitted fashion pieces.

What GSM Is Best for Jersey Fabric?

The best GSM for jersey fabric depends on the target garment. Lightweight jersey is better for summer tops and underwear, while heavier jersey gives more body and is suitable for premium T-shirts, dresses or more structured casualwear.

120–160gsm	Lightweight jersey for summer tops, underwear, sleepwear, lining, kidswear and soft fashion garments.
160–200gsm	Regular T-shirt weight. Suitable for everyday T-shirts, casual tops, loungewear and light sportswear.
200–260gsm	Medium to heavy jersey with better body. Suitable for premium T-shirts, dresses, skirts, oversized tops and structured casualwear.
260gsm and above	Heavy jersey or double jersey quality for more structured garments, such as premium tops, casual sets, dresses and light outerwear styles.

Best Uses of Jersey Fabric

Jersey fabric is widely used because it is soft, flexible and comfortable to wear. Different compositions and weights can be selected depending on the final garment style.

T-Shirts and Casual Tops	One of the most common uses for jersey fabric. Cotton jersey gives a natural and breathable hand feel, while cotton-polyester jersey improves durability and easy care.
Underwear and Sleepwear	Soft jersey fabrics are suitable for close-to-skin garments. Bamboo, viscose and cotton-rich jersey are often chosen for a softer and more comfortable touch.
Sportswear and Activewear	Polyester jersey, nylon-spandex jersey and polyester-spandex jersey can offer better stretch, recovery and quick-drying performance, depending on the yarn and finishing.
Dresses, Skirts and Women’s Tops	Viscose jersey, rayon jersey and bamboo blend jersey are suitable for garments that need a softer hand feel and better drape.
Polo Shirts	Jersey can be used for lightweight and casual polo shirts. For a more structured polo shirt, pique, double jersey or interlock jersey may be a better choice.
Loungewear and Kidswear	Soft cotton, bamboo or viscose blend jersey can be used for relaxed loungewear and kidswear where comfort and skin-friendly hand feel are important.

Jersey Fabric vs French Terry Fabric

Jersey and French Terry are both knitted fabrics, but they are used for different garment effects. Jersey fabric is usually flatter, lighter and more drapey. French Terry has a loopback structure, giving it more body and a more structured hand feel.

Texture	Jersey is flatter and smoother. French Terry has a looped back texture.
Fabric Body	Jersey is usually softer and more drapey. French Terry is more structured and suitable for hoodies and sweatshirts.
Common Uses	Jersey is used for T-shirts, underwear, tops and dresses. French Terry is used for hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers and loungewear.

How to Care for Jersey Fabric

Jersey garments are usually easy to care for, but the correct washing method depends on the composition. For cotton-rich jersey, we recommend washing with mild detergent and cool water to help reduce shrinkage and protect the hand feel.

For printed jersey, turn the garment inside out before washing to protect the printed surface. Avoid high heat tumble drying, strong rubbing and long exposure to direct sunlight, as these may affect the fabric shape, colour and surface appearance.

Looking for Jersey Fabric for Your Collection?

If you are developing T-shirts, underwear, sportswear, dresses, skirts, polo shirts or loungewear, choosing the right jersey fabric is an important first step. The best option will depend on your target garment, GSM, composition, stretch, hand feel and order quantity.

At Towin Textile, we supply knitted fabrics for apparel brands, including jersey, French Terry, rib, pique, fleece, velour and other casualwear fabrics. If you need jersey fabric for sampling or bulk production, we can help recommend suitable options based on your target weight, composition and garment application.

View our Jersey Fabric Collection