THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WOVEN AND KNIT FABRIC

Woven vs. Knit Fabric: What's the Difference?

If you’re new to sewing or fashion design, you’ve probably heard the terms woven and knit before. These are two basic types of fabric, and knowing the difference will help you choose the right fabric for your projects.

Let’s break them down in a simple way so you can tell them apart with confidence.

Woven Fabric

Woven fabric is made by weaving two sets of threads together:

• Warp (threads that go up and down)

• Weft (threads that go side to side)

Because of this crisscross pattern, woven fabrics are firm and don’t stretch much. They’re perfect for structured clothes like blazers, pants, and button-down shirts. Woven fabrics come in different weights, from light and flowy to heavy and strong.

Common woven fabrics: cotton, linen, denim, wool, silk.

Keep in mind: Woven fabric can fray at the edges, so it’s important to finish the edges with a zigzag stitch, serger, or bias binding to keep them neat.

Knit Fabric

Knit fabric is made by looping yarn together, kind of like how you knit with needles. These loops give the fabric stretch and flexibility, making it great for clothes that move with your body, like t-shirts, leggings, and activewear.

Common knit fabrics: jersey, rib knit, interlock.

Keep in mind: Knit fabric can stretch out of shape if not handled properly. Use the right stitches (like stretch stitches) and consider stabilizing the fabric when sewing.

Key Differences

Woven Fabric	Knit Fabric
Made by weaving threads	Made by looping yarn
Not very stretchy	Very stretchy
Holds its shape well	Can stretch and change shape
May fray at the edges	Usually doesn’t fray

Sewing Tips

• Woven fabrics need precise cutting and often require seam finishing.

• Knit fabrics need special stitches (like zigzag or stretch stitch) and sometimes need stabilizers to keep their shape.

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Conclusion

Both woven and knit fabrics are widely used in fashion. Woven fabrics are sturdy and hold their shape, while knit fabrics stretch and move with you. If you’re just starting out, try working with both to see which one you enjoy more.

Happy sewing!