Shredded Knit Fabric: What It Is and How to Sew It
Shredded knit is a sheer base knit overlaid with patches of printed knit in a mosaic pattern, with the patch edges left deliberately raw. Because knits don't fray, those raw edges read as an intentional design feature rather than an unfinished one. It is a trend-led fabric that makes fun, contemporary garments — and it is easy to sew, as long as you keep it away from heat, with expert tips from sewing instructor Shannon Gifford.
What is shredded knit fabric?
This fabric has all the hallmarks of the current trends in ready-to-wear knits. The base fabric is a sheer knit, usually in a solid color, with patches of a print knit attached to the base in a mosaic-style pattern. The edges of the patches are left raw (in keeping with current trends), but do not have an unfinished or frayed appearance due to the properties of the knit fabric. This is a dynamite, up-to-date fabric for fun garments!
Heat is the one thing to avoid
This fabric does not respond well to high heat. Avoid hot irons and hot dryers throughout — at pretreatment, when interfacing, and when pressing the finished garment.
Pretreatment
Prewash in cold water, no bleach, and dry in a cool dryer.
Needles and thread
As for any knit, use a jersey needle. Size 11/75 is the best choice for this fabric. For construction, use a cotton covered polyester or all polyester thread.
Seams, seam finishes and hems
On a conventional machine, use a zigzag stitch (2.0 length, 1.5 width) for construction. For a serged construction, use a 3-thread balanced stitch. Seam allowances do not require finishes, as the fabric does not ravel.
Hems can be left raw, if desired — in keeping with the character of the fabric. If you prefer a finished hem, use a twin needle (4.0/75, jersey or stretch) to construct the hem. Or use a rolled hem on the serger or a coverstitch for easy hem options.
Interfacing
Fusibles are not recommended for this fabric, as it does not respond well to heat. Should you need the reinforcement of interfacing, use a sew-in mesh knit in the areas that require additional stability.
What to make with shredded knit
Tanks, tees, cardigans, drapey skirts, tunics, kimono-style garments, wrap tops, ponchos and capes.
Creative possibilities
Use this fabric in tandem with a knit the same weight and color as the base to make a trendy top. For instance, use a black mesh knit for the sleeves of a tee, and the shredded knit (with a black backing) for the bodice.
This fabric also pairs well with leather; use strips of leather for vertical trims on your shredded knit garment, or to bring attention to seams of an asymmetrical skirt.
Related guides
For other knits, see the sweater knit fabric guide, power mesh and scramble knit.
Shop knits
Browse the knit fabrics collection at EOS. Back to all fabric care guides.
FAQ
What is shredded knit fabric?
A sheer base knit with patches of printed knit applied in a mosaic pattern, with the patch edges left raw as a design feature.
Do the raw edges fray?
No. Knit fabrics don't ravel, so the cut edges hold their shape and read as intentional rather than unfinished.
Can you iron shredded knit?
Keep heat well away from it. No hot irons, no hot dryers, and no fusible interfacing.
What interfacing works on shredded knit?
A sew-in mesh knit, used only where you need extra stability. Fusibles are out because of the heat.
Do you need to hem shredded knit?
Not necessarily — a raw hem suits the fabric. If you'd rather finish it, use a 4.0/75 twin needle, a serger rolled hem, or a coverstitch.