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Cotton | The Fabric of Our Lives
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Jersey Knit

| What is jersey knit?

Jersey is a single-knit cotton fabric that’s known for its stretch and softness. Because of how jersey is knit, there is a natural elasticity without using stretch fibers like elastane. You’ll recognize jersey as the fabric used to make your favorite cotton tee-shirts, but did you know jersey is also sometimes used to make bedding and sheets? Sheets made from jersey are stretchy, soft, and release wrinkles more easily than percale, another cotton fabric typically used to make sheets.

Jersey fabric is thus named because it was first produced on the Channel Island of Jersey during the medieval era. In the twentieth century, it was primarily associated with underwear.

| Maintaining jersey knit

Jersey is a low-maintenance fabric. You can machine wash it rather than have it dry-cleaned. While jersey does have a tendency to shrink, shrinkage can be avoided by washing in cold water or washing by hand, and air-drying or tumble drying on the low setting.

Does jersey knit wrinkle?

Jersey fabric does not wrinkle easily because its characteristic stretch lets it keep its shape.

Is jersey knit easy to clean?

100% cotton jersey is easy to spot clean or machine wash. Cotton jersey will release odors easily.

Click here for more cleaning tips

| Cotton jersey knit sheets

Many people prefer the softness of cotton jersey sheets rather than the stiffer percale weave commonly associated with sheets. Imagine sleeping on your favorite tee-shirt every night! These sheets don’t wrinkle easily and are still as breathable as regular sheets—if they’re made with cotton. Jersey sheets are great for children’s bedding.

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