Plain Stretch Jersey Fabrics

Plain stretch jersey fabrics are stretch jersey or knit fabrics in a solid colour.

They’re made by interlocking yarn loops, which gives them their stretch and flexibility which means they are comfortable to wear and you have the option to create close fitting garments if you wish.

You can use plain stretch jersey or knit fabrics to sew lots of garments, they’re often used for loungewear, sportswear and children’s wear thanks to their comfortable and stretchy properties. You can also sew a wide range of dresses, tops, skirts, trousers, jumpsuits and even jackets with plain stretch jersey fabrics.

More stable plain stretch jersey fabrics such as scuba, ponte roma and sweatshirt fabric can be used to sew more structured clothes whereas cotton, viscose and lighter weight polyester plain jerseys tend to have more drape and movement.

Sewing patterns designed for stretch fabrics will often include a guide for measuring the amount of stretch in your fabric to make sure it is suitable. You can usually find the guide on the pattern packet or in the instructions. If you are unsure you can always ask us for help too.

If you’re looking for another type of dressmaking fabric take a look at our full range of dressmaking fabrics.

When it comes to zips, YKK is the gold standard – and we’ve made sure our range at Sew Essential includes everything you need for your next sewing project. Renowned for their durability, smooth glide and exceptional quality, YKK zips are trusted by professional dressmakers, high street brands and home sewers alike.

Whether you're sewing a dress, skirt, trousers or a cushion cover, we stock a huge variety of YKK zips in different styles, lengths and colours to suit every make – from invisible zips for a flawless finish to open-ended zips for jackets and outerwear. And because we’re sewists ourselves, we’ve handpicked the most useful options with you in mind.

Buy your YKK zips from Sew Essential and enjoy fast UK delivery, expert customer service, and the confidence of shopping with a team that genuinely understands your sewing needs. Every zip we stock is one we’d happily use ourselves – and often do!