Rib Cuff

Extra comfort and warmth

Normally, ribbed cuff fabrics are not the first thing people think of when making clothing. However, these fabrics are very important, especially when making winter clothing. Sweaters, cardigans, winter dresses, and sweatpants, all have cuffs that have some elasticity. This ensures that the sleeves and collar fit well on the body and keep out cold air. Additionally, people often find long sleeves or pant legs with elasticated cuffs more comfortable than those with looser cuffs. What’s more, cuffs with some stretch can help a garment maintain its shape.

There are various ways to ensure that ribbed cuff fabric has some stretch. For example, stretch fibers such as elastane or Lycra can be used in the production of the fabric. However, ribbed cuff fabrics are usually knitted rather than woven, making them essentially tricot fabrics, similar to jersey and French terry. Nowadays, it is common to incorporate a small percentage of stretch fibers, usually around five percent, in knitted fabrics. When used for the ends of clothing, these fabrics fit snugly against the wearer's skin without feeling tight.

Ribbed cuff fabric is rarely the only fabric used in clothing, although toddler pants and certain items of maternity wear can consist mostly of such a stretchy fabric. Normally, it is combined with other fabrics. A pair of pants or a sweater made of sweat fabric with elasticated cuffs will keep you wonderfully warm in winter. However, there are also casual summer jackets with sweat fabric sleeves and ribbed cuffs that provide some extra comfort and warmth on cool days. Ribbed cuff fabrics can be used for almost any clothing, which is why we stock a huge range of this type of fabric. 

What clothing can you make from ribbed cuff fabric?

Ribbed cuff fabrics are primarily functional, but that doesn't mean the design possibilities are limited. At Quality Textiles, we have ribbed cuff fabrics in various colours. It is usual to choose a cuff of the same colour as the garment you are making. This can create a coordinated and elegant look. However, cuffs are particularly suitable for creating colour contrasts in clothing. For example, you can give a sweater with a neutral colour a more vibrant look by adding brightly coloured cuffs. The combination of white and black also works very well.

Ribbed cuff fabrics are particularly popular for baby clothing. Elasticated collars and stretchy cuffs make garments easy to put on. They also provide good protection from the cold. In our webshop, you will find various children's fun fabrics to which you can attach cuffs. These same properties make ribbed cuff fabrics popular for pajamas as well. In adult clothing, an elasticated collar is sometimes replaced by a hood. A hoodie with a drawstring allows you to adjust it snugly around your head. You can find these drawstrings among our haberdashery items.

Attaching cuffs to clothing

Working with ribbed cuff fabric is not difficult, but it may take some getting used to the first time you work with it. Do not stretch the fabric when cutting. Ideally, lay the fabric on a rough surface, such as a non-slip mat, and cut out the pattern pieces with a rotary cutter. Normally, the cuff, in its un-stretched state, is slightly narrower than the pattern piece to which you will attach it. Traditional cuff fabrics are cut twice as wide and folded in half before being sewn onto the clothing. However, there are now many ready-made cuff fabrics available on the market.

The wrong side of the fabric is slightly less smooth than the right side. For a folded cuff, place the two wrong sides together and sew them together with a straight or overlock stitch. Then slide the cuff over the sleeve or pant leg with the right sides together. Stitch the fabric pieces together at the edges with a zigzag stitch, allowing the cuff to stretch so that the thread does not break. Finally, turn the cuff right side out. Both the right sides of the cuff and the garment now face outward, while the seams are hidden on the inside.

Since ribbed cuff fabrics stretch, it is advisable to use a stretch needle. These needles have a flatter shaft and a kind of indentation, which prevents the sewing machine from skipping stitches. With highly stretchy fabrics such as ribbed cuff, the risk of skipped stitches is quite high. How you wash clothing with cuffs depends entirely on the fabric from which the rest of the garment is made. In general, a normal wash cycle at 30 degrees Celsius should be fine. Avoid using the dryer for fabrics with synthetic fibers.

Buying ribbed cuff fabric online

The ribbed cuff fabrics from Quality Textiles prove that a cuff is not only a functional part of clothing; it can also be very attractive. Our collection includes ribbed cuff fabrics in different colours and designs. You will undoubtedly find the perfect one for your next sewing project among them. Of course, you can also find other quality fabrics for clothing, such as sweat fabric, French terry, jersey, and interlock fabrics, in our store.