3 February 2025

How to make jersey yarn

How to make your own jersey yarn

Making your own jersey yarn is so quick and easy! This is a great trick to know if you’re making a sewing pattern that features a drawstring – such as the waistband of the Cece joggers or sweat shorts, the hood of the Stella hoodie in my book Stretch, the Jaimie pyjama bottoms, Tabitha T shirt dress in my book Make It Simple... and more!

Plus size model wears colour block raglan sleeve sweatshirt and joggers

Read on for what you need to make your own jersey yarn and how to make it – with video tutorial.
 

Supplies to make jersey yarn:

  • A short length of jersey fabric OR the hem of an old T shirt
  • Rotary cutter or fabric scissors

Err... that’s it!

How to make your own jersey yarn


 
Cut a strip of jersey fabric parallel to the crosswise grain – that’s the direction with the most stretch. Cut it 3cm (1 1/4in) long by the width of the fabric. Don’t worry if you think it’s not wide enough – it will stretch.

Hands pulling strip of jersey through hands to make jersey yarn

Pull the strip through your hands to stretch it out. The long raw edges should curl under as you’re doing this.

Jersey yarn drawstring on colour block joggers

And that’s it! You’ve made your own jersey yarn. You can now cut it to the length you want for your project, or stitch multiple pieces together if you want it to be longer.

P.S. If you liked this, you may also like Tips for sewing with sweatshirt fabrics and How to sew a jersey neckband.

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Sewing pattern: Cece joggers
Author: Tilly Walnes
Photos: Jane Looker