How To Stop Knit Fabric From Curling & Rolling?

How To Stop Knit Fabric From Curling & Rolling?

Have you ever been in the middle of a project knit with beautiful fabric and noticed that it started to curl, twist, or roll up on itself?

This can be incredibly frustrating for anyone who’s ever tried their hand at knitting a garment or home decor item — no matter how carefully you measure and follow your pattern, an unruly edge or seam can ruin even the most perfectly designed item.

Not only does the appearance suffer but working with unruly bias edges can cause difficulty when trying to sew seams that lay flat.

Don’t worry if this has happened to you – there is an answer for how to stop knit fabric from curling & rolling and keep them looking neat throughout the duration of your sewing project.

In this blog post, we will discuss how easy it is to keep your knits lying flat while still giving each stitch plenty of room for texture and movement.

What is the knit fabric?

Knit fabric is a type of material made up of interlocking loops of yarn that can be stretched, compressed, twisted, and looped to create a certain texture. It’s commonly used in clothing, but it can also be found in home decor items like blankets and pillows.

Knit fabrics are known for their lightweight feel and stretchability. They also tend to be easy to dye, making them perfect for adding bright and bold colors to any design.

Knit fabrics come in a variety of natural and synthetic fibers, including cotton, wool, acrylic, nylon, and spandex. Knits are differentiated from woven fabric because they’re made up of just one set of yarn loops that cross each other in different directions.

Woven fabric, on the other hand, is created when two sets of yarn are interlaced at right angles to each other. Knit fabrics are generally softer and more flexible than woven fabrics but can be harder to sew since they lack stability. This means they can easily curl or roll when not properly stabilized.

Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent knit fabrics from curling & rolling. So, go to discover how to stop knit fabric from curling & rolling in the next part.

How To Stop Knit Fabric From Curling & Rolling?

In this part, we provide you guys with detailed instructions for stopping knit fabric from curling & rolling.

Why Does Knit Fabric Keep Curling And Rolling

First of all, it’s extremely important for people to know what causes knit fabric curling and rolling. When understanding the causes clearly, we will have the best solutions for curling and rolling problems in knit fabric.

Knit fabric keeps curling and rolling because of its lack of stability. This is due to its construction – knit fabrics are made up of a single set of yarn loops that cross each other in different directions, whereas woven fabric has two sets of yarn interlaced at right angles.

Since the knitting process does not stabilize the edges like weaves do, it can be harder to get knits to lie flat once they have been cut or sewn into a garment can result in several issues such as seam puckering, neckline rolling, and uneven hems.

Additionally, improper handling or washing of knit fabrics may also cause them to curl and roll due to excessive tension on the fibers.

In some cases, moisture content in the air during storage can also cause woolen garments to shrink slightly which will result in further curling and rolling when stretched out again.

How To Stop Knit Fabric From Curling & Rolling – A Step By Step Instruction

Now that we know what causes the knit fabric to curl and roll, let’s take a look at some of the best solutions for curling and rolling problems in knit fabrics.

In fact, even if you don’t stretch your fabric and wait a while before stitching to prevent rolling in the first place, your knit fabric will still have curled edges after pre-washing. 

Here are five techniques employed commonly by many people when handling stretch textiles that have been curled.

Some of these techniques work better than others depending on how untamed your cloth is. 

Method 1: Using Pattern Weights

Using fabric weights to avoid curling while cutting jersey textiles is a simple solution. Put fabric weights on the cloth’s selvages and edges. This prevents the jersey fabric from curling and rolling, allowing for precise cutting and sewing.

The selvages of a jersey fabric roll upward while the cut edges roll downward. You are able to maintain the borders and edges flat on your work table by placing fabric weights on the cloth.

Anything may be modified to become fabric-weight. Any instrument can be placed on the cloth to maintain its level on the work table. You might also purchase cloth weights.

Method 2: Pressing and Stiffening Knit Fabric

A second approach is to press the knit fabric when it still has harsh lines from being packaged. You can also use this method for stiffening the knit fabric if you want a crisper look.

This technique involves using iron and pressing cloth on top of your knit to flatten out any curled edges before cutting and stitching. This will help keep the edges flat and minimize curling.

Method 3: Starch on Knit Fabric

Starching is an effective method to stabilize knit fabric before cutting. This will generally help keep the edges flat while also stiffening the knit fabric which can be beneficial if you are looking for a crisper look in your finished project. 

To apply starch, mix two parts cornstarch with one part water and brush it onto the knit fabric. Let the starch dry, and then press it with an iron for a crisp finish. Once it is pressed, cut your fabric according to your pattern instructions.

Method 4: Serging The Edges Of Knit Fabrics

It is not essential to hem a knit fabric’s edges. Since the knit fabric doesn’t tear, hemming is not necessary. The fabric’s edges can be serged, nevertheless, to prevent rolling and curling. So, serging the edges of knit fabric is also an effective way to stop it from curling & rolling.

Serger machines are specifically designed to finish off the edges on knit fabrics and provide a neat, clean look. Serging the edges, not only does it give the fabric a professional finish, but also helps keep all edges flat and prevents fraying or curling.

Method 5:  Use of Tear-Away Stabilizer

Another option for preventing curling and rolling in knit fabric is to use a tear-away stabilizer or interfacing. This will help keep the edges flat while you are cutting and stitching. Tear-away stabilizers are temporary and can be removed after your project is finished.

To apply the tear-away stabilizer, simply place it on the wrong side of your knit fabric and baste it in place. Once you are finished stitching and trimming, tear away the stabilizer and admire your neat and wrinkle-free project.

Overall, these are the five methods that you can use for how to stop knit fabric from curling & rolling. Follow them step by step and you will make sure your knit fabric looks neat and wrinkle-free.

What Are Some Tips For Stopping Knit Fabric From Curling And Rolling Perfectly?

We’ve provided you with some of the most typical ways used for stopping knit fabric from curling & rolling. So, which one is the best way? 

You have to decide which method best suits your needs and project. Generally, using pattern weights is a simple solution that works well with small projects. If you need something more permanent, serging the edges or pressing and stiffening the knit fabric may be the better option. And for larger projects, tear-away stabilizers are great because they can easily be removed after you are finished.

However, for some research, the best way to stop the knit fabric from curling & rolling is to use a combination of techniques such as pressing, serging, and adding stabilizers. Doing so will ensure that your knit fabric remains flat throughout the entire sewing process.

No matter which technique you choose, it’s important to remember to be gentle with the knit fabric when handling, cutting, and stitching. This will help avoid any excess tension that could cause further curling and rolling.

Also, make sure to follow the instructions closely and practice patience. It may take some time but in the end, your knit fabric will be flat and free of any curling or rolling.

FAQs

What type of knit material doesn’t curl?

Some types of knit materials that are less likely to curl include double knitting, ribbing, and interlocking.

These fabrics have a more stable edge due to the structure of their stitches which helps them stay flat and resistant to curling.

Other fabrics such as jersey and fleece may still curl slightly due to their stretchy nature but they will generally remain more stable than other types of knit fabrics.

For a completely curl-free material, knits with a smooth texture like an interlock are the best bet. They tend to stay flat when cut and don’t require any extra steps to stop the edges from curling up.

How can cut shirts be kept from curling?

To keep cut shirts from curling, you can use a combination of techniques.

First, press the fabric before and after cutting to help relax any fibers that may have been pulled tight during the cutting process.

Second, finish off the shirt’s edges with either serging or using an overlock stitch on a sewing machine. This will help keep the edges flat and prevent them from curling.

Finally, if you want an even flatter finish, try using spray starch and pressing cloth before cutting. This will help make sure your shirt stays flat and wrinkle-free.

How can knitting curls be flattened?

You have two options for flattening knitting curls. 

The first step is to iron the cloth. This will assist to relax any tight fibers and produce a smoother finish. Use a pressing sheet or towel while applying this method. 

Applying starch to the cloth before cutting it is the second method. Brush the knit fabric with a mixture of two parts cornstarch to one part water. For a crisp finish, let the starch dry before ironing it. After it has been ironed, cut your cloth follwing the directions on your pattern. 

Conclusion

To conclude, we’ve answered the question of how to stop knit fabric from curling & rolling in five different ways. Depending on the type of knit fabric and project, you can use a combination of techniques like pressing, serging, adding stabilizers or using pattern weights to keep your fabric stay flat and wrinkle-free.

We hope that this article has been helpful in teaching you how to keep your knit fabric from curling & rolling. With a little bit of practice and patience, you can create neat and professional-looking projects with ease! 

References:

10 Ways to Keep a Sweater Hem from Rolling

Knitted fabric – Wikipedia

Sewing with Knit Fabric

Fiber types and fabric structures influence on weft knitted fabrics