Ever wondered how to tell if your knit fabric has the right amount of stretch for one of our patterns? Just flip over the pattern envelope and you'll find our Pick-A-Knit guide. It's a quick and easy way to choose the right fabric, whether you're sewing T-shirts, stretchy dresses, activewear, or loungewear!

(We don't show the stretch guide on the envelope image shown on product webpage, only the physical envelope and inside the PDF pattern instruction file)

Here's a brief summary of how the Pick-A-Knit guide works: Take the recommended length of your knit fabric and stretch it along the measurement line. The fabric should comfortably reach the marked point, then spring back to its original shape when you release it. That's the key to choosing a knit that will give your finished garment the fit and comfort it was designed for.

All our sewing patterns designed for knits include a stretch gauge to help you measure the crosswise stretch of a 4" (aka 10cm) piece of fabric and check its recovery.

In this tutorial, we're showing a cut strip of fabric to demonstrate the test, but you can just measure 4" / 10cm in from the selvage and test it there if you're standing in the fabric store.

Hold the fabric with your left hand at one end of the guide, then gently stretch it with your right hand to see if it comfortably reaches the marked point. As mentioned earlier, it shouldn't stretch significantly beyond the end of the guide.

When you release the fabric, it should spring back to its original length without any distortion to the print, color, or fabric. Many knit fabrics are printed onto a plain white base, which can become visible if the fabric is overstretched, so you don't want to see any white showing through. Likewise, if your fabric has a symmetrical print, such as these polka dots, the shapes should return to perfectly round rather than looking oval or distorted once the fabric relaxes.

And that's it! A simple way to choose the perfect knit fabric for your sewing pattern. With so many different knit fabrics available, including jersey, interlock, Ponte Roma, sweatshirting, and more, selecting the right stretch percentage from the start will help set your project up for success and ensure your finished garment looks and fits just as intended.

Knit fabrics come in a huge variety of weights, textures, and stretch levels, making them perfect for all kinds of sewing projects.

Soft cotton jersey is ideal for T-shirts, dresses, and children's clothes, while interlock offers extra stability for tops and pajamas. French terry and sweatshirt fleece are great for hoodies, joggers, and cozy pullovers, and Ponte Roma creates polished pants, skirts, jackets, and fitted dresses with structure and comfort. Rib knits are perfect for cuffs, neckbands, and fitted tanks, while performance knits are designed for leggings, athletic tops, and activewear. Choosing the right knit helps ensure the best fit, comfort, and finish.

Make sure to check out the fabrics recommendations on the back of the pattern envelope or the product descriptions on our website to help you find the right design!