Made by a Fabricista: With Double-brushed Knit, Comfort Meets Style

Apologies: I don’t have a finished project to share this time. I was so excited to use the fabric I had ordered, and I intend to do so as soon as possible. I plan to sew another version of this romper for a low-key baptism. I want a light and comfortable outfit yet keep it a little delicate, and I believe I can achieve that with this floral double-brushed knit.

Unfortunately, other things got in the way, so I could not complete my project. We even postponed the baptism, so I may still sew and wear my outfit for that occasion in the near future. I will still share some ideas about this fabric because it is a wonderful material.

I love double-brushed knit for so many reasons. First and foremost, it is one of the softest fabrics there is. When you hear the expression “buttery soft,” you can picture exactly this type of fabric! Please note: I know now that “buttery soft” is a common expression, but English is not my first language, so I am still surprised from time to time by new idioms, and I need to find ways to use them correctly.

Indeed, a few years ago, when I didn’t know yet what that fabric was called, I used to Google some keywords (super soft stretchy knit) and the composition of my favorite pajamas (95% polyester, 5% spandex) and that’s what pointed me towards double-brushed knits.

Double-brushed fabric – not to confuse with double-knit fabric! - It takes its name from the fact it is brushed on the top and bottom sides, giving the fabric an extremely soft hand. It is very comfortable to wear and ideal for pajamas, dresses, cardigans, and ANY cozy piece of clothing. It is stretchy, so it is only suitable for knit projects.

In my experience, this type of fabric also has great durability. I have several pieces made of this, and they all withstand dozens of washings without fading or losing shape. The floral cardigan I made in 2021 is still as vibrant, and I use it almost weekly! Something I have done any time I am sewing with this material is using stay-tape, especially in the shoulders, pockets, or on any curved or biased side. Stay-tape stay allows flexibility while avoiding stretching and distorting the fabric.

On the downside, though, it is a polyester fabric that is not very breathable. That is the one and only “con” Some bamboo fabrics may be comparable in terms of softness. So, if you’d rather avoid synthetic fabrics, bamboo may be a good contender. What do you think? And what’s your favorite fabric?

INES | @bynunis

Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following categories: Double Brushed Knits.

Made By A Fabricista: Closing 2025 with a Lined Jacket

Hello again, sewing friends! It seems we have arrived yet again in the grandest season for layering, all this oncoming cold weather. I like ending the year with something warm and very useful. Seems based on my past Fabricista posts, I love to sew year-end outerwear, and this round is no different! I challenged myself with a new lined coat (wait, jacket? Coat? I feel like the presence of wool changes things?). Anyhoo, since the lovely Chalk & Notch Den Jacket has been in my queue, I proceeded ahead. I like the large pockets, the option to line or not, and the extra bodice and sleeve seams for topstitching. Sewing this coat is not at all difficult, but the many pieces and loads of topstitching will take a bit of time. My version took me a few multiple-hour sessions to complete. I sewed a size 2, which matches my measurements, and I made no alterations. Hint: for a quick size test, just employ the lining pieces. Gorgeous, muted blue as a soft wool flannel ? This is ...

Made By A Fabricista: Sheer Elegance and Everyday Comfort with my Two New Tops

Hello Sewing Friends! It’s Sharon from Sharon Sews with my last Fabricista make for 2025. While many sew a special holiday outfit at year’s end, I went in another direction sewing two tops that couldn’t be more different. One is sheer and elegant while the other is easy comfort for everyday wear. These tops reflect how I dress at this stage of life. As an over-50 sewist, these two tops reflect how I dress at this point in my life. Sometimes I want something a bit special, other times more basic. Either way, sewing them in beautiful fabrics, custom fit to my body, makes all the difference in how I feel when I wear them. Even though I’m quite pleased with my two tops, my original plan was to sew a jacket with the tropical print stretch twill and pair it with a top sewn from the soutache mesh knit . Sadly, I wasn’t quick enough to get enough of the stretch twill to make a jacket, so a top it was! You do know you have to act fast when you see something you love on Fabric ...

Made By A Fabricista: Chalk and Notch Wren Dress: My Buffet dress for the Christmas season!

I recently sewed the Chalk and Notch Wren dress using a beautifully soft black voile from Fabric Mart, and it turned into such a satisfying, enjoyable project. The pattern itself is very easy to understand and straightforward with clear instructions, intuitive construction, and a relaxed fit that makes the sewing process easy. A buffet dress in the sewing community is a dress that is loose fitting, so you can eat at the buffet without your dress being uncomfortable afterwards, lol! Because the voile I chose is extremely thin and transparent, I opted to line the bodice and first tier. Adding a lining not only provided modesty but also gave the delicate fabric a bit more stability, especially around the neckline and button placket. A helpful tip when sewing a lining into a lightweight bodice is to treat the lining and the main fabric as one. I sewed the bodice as you would for a lined bodice, and the first tier I sewed the pieces together with a basting stitch to make the process...

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