A frustrating little fabric quirk, and the supermarket cure that fixes it in under a minute.
If you've ever tried sewing with jersey fabric, you already know the problem: the edges roll up the moment you cut them. You try to flatten them, you press them, you pin them and they just keep curling. It's frustrating, it's time-consuming, and it can completely ruin your sewing.
There is a simple fix that costs almost nothing and probably lives in your laundry aisle: spray starch.
Spray starch is easy to find, at the supermarket, the drugstore, or your local craft store. In Denmark I buy mine at Matas, where it goes by the name "strygestivelse". Internationally it is usually labeled spray starch or fabric stiffener.
Fun fact: when I first started sewing, I used hairspray. It works, but spray starch is much better because it washes out cleanly, leaves no sticky residue, and was actually made for fabric.
Why jersey curls in the first place
Jersey is a knit fabric, made by looping yarn together in rows. Those tiny loops want to relax and twist back on themselves the moment you cut into them, which is why your edges refuse to lie flat.
Cut edges curl toward the right side of the fabric, while the selvages (the finished side edges) tend to roll toward the wrong side.
How to stop jersey edges from curling, step by step
01Identify your curling edges
Lay your jersey out flat on your ironing board or work surface. Take a moment to notice where it is rolling, usually along the cut edge.
02Turn the fabric to the wrong side
Flip your fabric so the wrong side is facing up and try to roll out the edges as much as you can. You always want to spray on the wrong side, so any temporary residue stays hidden inside your finished garment.
03Shake and spray the starch
Give the can a good shake, and read the instructions on the bottle because every brand is a little different. Hold the spray a steady distance from the fabric and focus on the curling edges. You do not need to soak the whole piece; you just want the edges damp enough to feel slightly stiff.
04Press with the iron
Set your iron to the heat recommended on the starch bottle, then press the sprayed edges flat. Press, do not slide as sliding can stretch the knit out of shape. If an edge still wants to curl, give it another light spray and press again.
Sometimes, a faint white residue can appear. It is harmless and washes out in the very first wash.
05Enjoy easy jersey sewing
Your edges should now lie flat, making it easy to pin, cut, and sew accurately.
If your jersey is still curling, do not worry, just give it another spray and press it again. It is impossible to use too much: any extra starch will simply wash out the first time you wash the garment.
A few more tips for sewing with jersey
- Always prewash your jersey before cutting. Knits can shrink, and it is much better to find out before you cut your pattern pieces.
- Use a ballpoint or stretch needle. A regular sharp needle can pierce the yarn loops and cause holes or skipped stitches.
- Choose a stretch stitch or a narrow zigzag. A straight stitch will pop the moment the seam stretches.
- Do not stretch the fabric as you sew. Let the machine feed it through naturally for the cleanest finish.
Ready to put it into practice?
The Flower Cuff Dress is the perfect place to start! It has a soft silhouette in jersey, with feminine cuffs.
Flower Cuff Dress
A simple jersey dress with gathered cuffs. Made by you.
Sew your own →
