Fall’s Comfiest Knit Fabrics

Autumn is finally here, and we’re sew excited about all the warm, cozy layers in our future! Knit fabrics are an essential part of our fall wardrobe, and if you haven’t sewn with them before, they’re a great way to stretch your sewing skills. Here are a few of our must-have knits for fall and their perfect pattern pairings!

Cotton and cotton-blend jerseys are our favorite knit fabric for beginners, since they are incredibly easy to sew, wear, and care for. These knits are perfect for wardrobe basics like t-shirts, leggings, and underwear, and are wonderful for kids’ clothes, too. For sewing beyond the basics, make your own knit Moriko Top & Dress or coordinate your favorite knits into a set of Style Arc Knit PJs. Curious about other fibers? Our hemp/cotton jersey has texture, drape, and stretch that is different from our other cotton jerseys, and it is a lovely choice for a simple, quick-sew Max Tee.

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Rayon/spandex jerseys are super soft with a bouncy stretch and a bit of shine, comfortable fabrics you’ll love wearing season after season. These knits are incredibly versatile—they are as perfect for close-fitting garments like the Elysian Bodysuit as they are for garments with a lot of drape like the Throwback Dress. A pattern like the Grafton Mix & Match will give you lots of opportunities to add comfy rayon/spandex knits into your wardrobe—think tops, dresses, skirts, and more!

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As soon as autumn arrives, we can’t wait to roll out the sweater knits! We love that they can be sewn in a fraction of the time that it would take to actually knit a sweater! A geometric cotton jacquard knit will make a cute, retro-inspired Coco Top, and a solid rayon/cotton sweater knit will make a soft and cozy Nathalie Tunic. We keep returning to the Toaster Sweater pattern year after year, and for good reason: it’s a quick sew and a perfect match for either sweater knit, so we’re tempted to make one of each!

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New to sewing with knits? No serger? Not a problem! Most sewing machines have an overlock or elastic overlock stitch that will make stitching knit fabrics a breeze. Using a rotary cutter will help you cut knit fabrics accurately. You can sew knits with your favorite all-purpose thread. To ensure successful sewing, you’ll want to invest in some ball-point sewing machine needles specially designed for knit fabrics. And if you’d prefer to use a serger, we’ve got the needles and threads for that, too! For one-stop shopping, we also offer a Getting Started with Knits Notions Kit that includes our favorite essentials:

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If you’ve been a little nervous about sewing with knits, consider this your invitation to give them a try! Knit fabrics are wonderfully forgiving, comfortable to wear, and once you get the hang of sewing them, you may wonder why you waited so long. Start with a simple cotton jersey tee, leggings, or an easy knit dress, grab a ball-point needle, and jump in. And remember: the fabric is supposed to stretch—that’s a feature, not a sewing emergency!

At Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics, we’ve spent decades building a knit fabric collection that we feel great about putting into your hands. From cotton jersey and hemp/cotton knits to rayon/spandex jersey, French terry, sweater knits, and special designer deadstock, we look for fabrics with a beautiful hand, good recovery, and the quality to become clothes you’ll actually want to live in. Whether you’re shopping for knit fabrics online or visiting our Berkeley fabric store, we’ve done the touching, stretching, comparing, and choosing for you. Your sewing time is valuable, and even the comfiest pair of pants deserves fabric worthy of every stitch.

Fall is the perfect time to add a few handmade knit pieces to your wardrobe—a favorite tee for layering, a soft tunic, a cozy sweater, or perhaps an entire set of pajamas that makes leaving the house seem wildly overrated. Explore our knit fabrics, indie sewing patterns, and knit sewing notions, choose something that feels wonderful, and make yourself something you’ll reach for all season long. Sewing your own clothes doesn’t have to mean making something complicated. Sometimes the most successful project is simply the one you put on, get comfortable in, and don’t particularly want to take off.

Thank You and Happy Sewing!