ITY knit is a silky, drapey polyester spandex knit, great for dresses, tops and dancewear. This guide covers what you need to know before you buy and sew it: how it stretches, how many yards to order, how to sew it, and how to wash it.

FabricLA ITY at a glance

• Fiber: 96% polyester, 4% spandex
• Weight: 280 g/y (lightweight)
• Width: 58/60 inches
• Stretch: 2-way stretch (stretches across the width)
• Sheerness: slightly sheer
• Made in Korea
• Sold by the yard, cut as one continuous piece whenever possible

Not sure about a color? Order a 4"x4" swatch for $0.99 and check the shade, drape and stretch first.

Is ITY right for your project?

• Great for: dresses, maxi and wrap dresses, skirts, tops, blouses, tunics, dancewear and costumes.
• Not recommended for: leggings, yoga wear or activewear. These need a 4-way stretch knit, such as our DTY brushed knit.

Fit: how ITY stretches

• ITY is a 2-way stretch knit. The stretch runs across the width of the fabric (selvage to selvage), not down the length.
• Lay your pattern so the stretch goes around your body (bust, waist, hips). Most knit patterns mark this with a "greatest stretch" arrow.
• Check your pattern's stretch guide before cutting. If the pattern asks for 4-way stretch, choose a 4-way knit instead.
• ITY drapes and clings a little, so it works best for flowing or body-skimming styles. For fitted styles, compare your measurements to the finished garment size on your pattern.
• ITY is lightweight and slightly sheer. Plan a lining or a second layer for skirts, fitted dresses and light colors.

How many yards to buy

Always check the yardage on your pattern first. As a rough guide for 58/60" wide fabric:

• Top, tee or camisole: 1 to 1.5 yards
• Knee-length dress or skirt: 2 to 2.5 yards
• Maxi dress or wrap dress: 3 to 3.5 yards
• Dancewear or costume pieces: 1 to 2 yards, depending on the design

Buy a little extra if you are matching a pattern direction, adding sleeves, adding a lining, or making larger sizes. Multiple yards ship as one continuous piece whenever possible.

Sewing tips

• Needle: use a ballpoint, jersey or stretch needle in size 70/10 or 75/11. A sharp needle can cause skipped stitches or small holes.
• Thread: all-purpose polyester thread.
• Stitch: use a narrow zigzag, a stretch stitch, or a serger/overlocker so seams can stretch without popping.
• Hems: a twin needle, zigzag or coverstitch hem works well. ITY does not fray, so you can also leave a clean raw edge on some designs.
• Feeding: ITY is slippery. A walking foot, pattern weights and a rotary cutter help keep it from shifting.
• Pinning: use ballpoint pins or clips, and pin inside the seam allowance.
• Test first: sew a few seams on a scrap to check your stitch length and tension before sewing the garment.

Care

• Machine wash cold with like colors
• Use mild detergent
• Do not bleach
• Tumble dry low or hang dry
• Iron on low heat from the reverse side if needed

ITY is wrinkle-resistant, so most garments need little or no ironing.

Ready to shop?

Browse all ITY knit fabric colors side by side, or order swatches first. Need 25+ yards or a bolt? Ask for wholesale pricing.

• Free shipping on orders over $50 (contiguous U.S.)