Eyelash Knit Fabric: Sewing Guide & Tips

Eyelash knit fabric is a fun, highly textured sweater knit with the look of stylized faux fur — and it's easier to sew than it looks. Whether you're making a cozy cardigan, a quick scarf, or a statement collar, this guide covers everything you need to get great results.

What Is Eyelash Knit Fabric?

Eyelash knit is a sweater-weight knit fabric with a looped or fringed yarn surface that creates a soft, furry pile. It comes in a wide variety of textures and pile lengths — from short and dense to long and dramatic — and some versions include metallic yarns for extra sparkle. Think of it as the playful intersection of a cozy knit and a faux fur.

Pretreatment

Before cutting, pretreat your eyelash knit to prevent shrinkage and preserve the pile:

  • Wash: Cold water, gentle cycle.

  • Dry: Lay flat to dry.

  • Heat warning: Do not iron. Do not expose to high heat at any stage — it will crush or melt the pile.

Needles and Thread

  • Needle: Stretch needle, size 75/11.

  • Thread: Cotton-covered polyester or 100% polyester thread. Both handle the stretch of the knit without breaking seams.

Seams, Seam Finishes, and Hems

Conventional sewing machine: Use a zigzag stitch — 2.0 length × 2.0 width — for all construction seams. This preserves stretch and prevents popped seams.

Serger: A wide 3-thread overlock stitch is ideal. It finishes and constructs in one pass, which is especially helpful given how much this fabric sheds.

Hems: Use a twin needle (stretch or jersey type) or a cover stitch for clean, professional hems that stretch with the fabric.

Seam finishes: A serged stitch or wide zigzag keeps raw edges tidy and reduces shedding inside the garment.

Interfacing

Because high heat will crush or melt eyelash knit, skip all fusible interfacings. For areas that need support (necklines, button bands), use a sew-in interfacing such as mesh knit or tricot instead.

Pattern Suggestions

The bold texture of eyelash knit works best with simple, clean silhouettes — let the fabric be the statement.

Best garment types:

  • Cardigans

  • Turtlenecks and cowl-necks

  • Shawls and ponchos

  • Simple tees and easy jackets

Great for details and accents: Smaller cuts of eyelash knit make stunning collars, cuffs, and appliqués on otherwise plain garments.

Quick Project: 10-Minute Eyelash Knit Scarf

This is one of the fastest, most satisfying sewing projects you can make:

  1. Cut a piece of eyelash knit on the crossgrain, 18 inches wide.

  2. Fold in half lengthwise and stitch the long seam.

  3. Turn right side out.

  4. No need to finish the selvedge edges — they're naturally stable.

Total time: about 10 minutes. Total impact: enormous.

Additional Tips for Working with Eyelash Knit

  • Shedding is real. Keep a vacuum cleaner nearby when cutting — the loose fibers add up fast.

  • Clean your scissors after cutting by wiping the blades with a soft cloth.

  • Care for finished garments the same way you'd care for a fine sweater: cold wash, lay flat to dry, no heat.

Shop Eyelash Knit Fabric at EOS Fabrics

Ready to start your project? Browse our current selection of eyelash knit fabrics — available by the yard, with new textures and colorways added regularly.

Shop eyelash knits: Mesh Linings – EOS Fabrics   |    Interfacings – EOS Fabrics