1. Introduction: What is Tricot Interlining?

Tricot interlining, also known in Chinese as经编衬布, is an indispensable auxiliary material in textile and garment manufacturing. Its name is derived from its unique production method: "tricot," a warp-knitting technique that creates a stable longitudinal structure. Unlike traditional woven interlining, tricot interlining offers superior elasticity and drape.

This material is typically fused or sewn onto the back of a fabric. Its primary purpose is to provide extra support, shaping, and stability. It prevents the fabric from deforming during cutting or sewing and enhances the final product's texture and durability. Whether a suit or shirt collar needs a crisp, structured feel, or a light dress or knitwear requires an elegant drape, tricot interlining plays a vital role. It acts as the garment's "skeleton," giving the clothing better form and feel without compromising the fabric's original characteristics.

2. Types and Characteristics of Tricot Interlining

Tricot interlining is not a single product but can be divided into several types based on its characteristics and uses. Understanding these types helps in choosing the most suitable interlining for different projects.

Warp Knit Interfacing

Warp knit interfacing is a precise technical term for tricot interlining. The warp-knitting process gives the interlining distinct advantages:

• Lightweight and Soft: Its knit structure is lighter and softer than traditional woven interlining. This makes it ideal for use with lightweight, soft fabrics like chiffon, silk, and georgette, providing necessary support without affecting the fabric's drape.
• Excellent Elasticity: Due to its warp-knit nature, this interlining has a degree of horizontal or vertical stretch, making it a perfect match for knit fabrics. It avoids the stiffness that ordinary interlining might cause.

Knit Fusible Interlining

This is the most common type of tricot interlining. Its core feature is a coating of hot-melt adhesive on the back.

• Convenient and Fast: The interlining can be securely bonded to the fabric using the heat and pressure from an iron. This method greatly simplifies the production process and eliminates the need for sewing.
• Structure and Shaping: Knit fusible interlining provides stable support for fabrics and is often used in areas that require shaping, such as collars, cuffs, and plackets. At the same time, it maintains the fabric's soft and natural feel.

Sew-in Interlining for Knits

Although fusible interlining is popular, sew-in interlining is still the preferred choice in certain situations.

• Suitable for Heat-Sensitive Fabrics: For fabrics that cannot withstand high-temperature ironing (such as certain synthetic fibers or specially treated fabrics), sew-in interlining is the only option.
• Preserves Fabric Characteristics: By being sewn in, the interlining provides support without altering the original texture and feel of the fabric. This is crucial for making garments that require a high degree of suppleness and drape.
• Ideal for Knit Fabrics: Due to its own elasticity, it can stretch and move with knit fabrics, preventing puckering or tightness at the seams.

3. Application Scenarios of Tricot Interlining

Tricot interlining, with its unique softness and elasticity, plays an indispensable role in various garment and textile productions. Its versatility allows it to adapt to different needs, from everyday wear to high-end custom apparel.

Application of Lightweight Interfacing Fabric

Lightweight interfacing fabric is particularly suitable for projects where the natural drape of the fabric needs to be preserved. Its light weight ensures the clothing's fluidity and comfort while providing necessary structural support.

• Womenswear: In the collars, cuffs, waistbands, and plackets of dresses, shirts, and skirts, to maintain their shape without adding bulk.
• Light Jackets: In the collars and facings of trench coats or jackets to make them crisp and sharp without feeling stiff.
• Underwear and Knits: To provide support for soft knit fabrics, preventing them from deforming during sewing or wearing.

Application of Tricot Fuse

As the most common type, tricot fuse excels in projects requiring quick and secure bonding due to its heat-fusing property.

• Shirts and Suits: Used on shirt collars, cuffs, plackets, and the front panels of suits to provide firm structural support, keeping them flat and neat.
• Crafts and Accessories: Used to add thickness and stiffness to bags, hats, and wallets, giving them a more three-dimensional shape.
• Garment Repair: Can be used to reinforce worn-out areas of fabric or to provide a stable base for embroidery and appliqué.

The widespread application of tricot interlining proves its importance in improving garment quality and production efficiency. Whether it's used to increase the stability of a lightweight fabric or to provide support for a shaped area, it is a powerful tool for designers and tailors.

4. How to Choose and Use Tricot Interlining

Correctly choosing and using tricot interlining is key to a successful project. The wrong choice or application method can lead to bubbling, stiffness, or deformation of the fabric, affecting the quality of the final product.

Choosing Guide: How to Match Fabric and Interlining?

When choosing interlining, the most important rule is that the “interlining should be lighter than the fabric.” This ensures that the interlining won't alter the fabric's original drape and feel while still providing sufficient support.

Usage Tips: How to Iron and Sew Correctly?

The method of using tricot interlining depends on whether it's fusible or sew-in.

Steps for Fusible Interlining:

1. Pre-cut: Cut the interlining slightly smaller than the fabric to prevent adhesive from seeping out at the edges.
2. Prepare the iron: Set the iron to the appropriate temperature for the fabric type; a steam iron is usually required.
3. Position: Place the shiny side of the interlining (the side without adhesive dots) facing up, with the rough side (the side with adhesive dots) against the fabric, ensuring it's positioned correctly.
4. Iron: Do not move the iron back and forth as you would when ironing clothes. Instead, press the iron firmly down onto the interlining and hold for about 10-15 seconds. Lift the iron and move to the next area until the entire piece is bonded.
5. Cool down: Do not move or bend the fabric until it has completely cooled down. This ensures the adhesive is fully cured and provides the strongest bond.

Steps for Sew-in Interlining:

• Fixed: Use pins to secure the interlining to the back of the fabric, ensuring alignment.
• Sew: Sew along the fabric's cutting line or internal contours, typically within the seam allowance, to prevent the stitches from showing.
• Note: For elastic knit fabrics, ensure neither the fabric nor the interlining is overstretched during sewing.

Mastering these selection and usage tips can greatly improve your production efficiency and the quality of your finished products, allowing tricot interlining to truly play its role as an "invisible" helper.

5. Conclusion: The Value of Tricot Interlining

Tricot interlining is far more than a simple piece of fabric; it plays a vital "unsung hero" role in the textile and garment industry. Its value is reflected on multiple levels, fundamentally enhancing the quality, appearance, and durability of the finished product.

The core value of tricot interlining lies in its versatility:

• Provides Structure and Form: It gives necessary support to lightweight, soft fabrics, keeping them stable during production and maintaining a beautiful shape in the finished garment. Without it, many delicate clothing details, such as crisp collars and cuffs, would be difficult to achieve.
• Improves Hand Feel and Drape: Unlike stiff traditional interlining, the softness and elasticity of tricot interlining allow it to blend seamlessly with the fabric, enhancing its drape and making the garment more comfortable and natural to wear.
• Increases Durability: By reinforcing specific areas of the fabric, it effectively prevents clothing from deforming or wearing out from stretching or friction during daily wear and washing, thus extending the life of the garment.
• Simplifies the Production Process: Especially for the fusible tricot fuse type, it replaces complex sewing steps with simple iron-on bonding, which greatly increases production efficiency, particularly beneficial for large-scale production and fast fashion.

From a technical perspective, the value of tricot interlining lies in its perfect balance of strength and flexibility. It can provide the required support for the fabric while maintaining its inherent softness and elasticity. This balance is key to its prominence among numerous textile auxiliaries.

The value of tricot interlining is ultimately felt by the consumer. A garment made with high-quality tricot interlining not only has a better texture and a more comfortable feel but also retains its original shape for longer, truly achieving the perfect combination of art and function in clothing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does Jiaxing Rainbow (UBL) Interlining Co., Ltd offer customized Tricot interlining products?

Jiaxing Rainbow (UBL) Interlining Co., Ltd has extensive experience in professional design, development, and production. We are always focusing on the research of high technology in interlining and upgrading our products based on changing customer demands. With our 19 years of experience and technology, UBL can provide the best products and services to our customers, including customizing different types and characteristics of tricot interlining according to specific requirements.

2. What is special about the fusible Tricot interlining from Jiaxing Rainbow (UBL) Interlining Co., Ltd?

UBL is one of the initial double-dot coating manufacturers in China, having seized the opportunity to upgrade our production equipment in 2000 to become a leader in the industry. We currently have a monthly production capacity of 6 million meters of all kinds of double-dot interlining. Our fusible Tricot interlining uses advanced double-dot coating technology, ensuring superior adhesive strength. This allows the interlining to bond perfectly with the fabric, preventing bubbling and providing more lasting and stable support.

3. How can I contact Jiaxing Rainbow (UBL) Interlining Co., Ltd to learn more about Tricot interlining?

With our concept of “Practical, professional and forge ahead with determination,” UBL is committed to creating the most valuable enterprise through technology innovation and promoting the development of society. If you have any questions or needs regarding our Tricot interlining products or other interlinings, please feel free to contact us. Our professional team will be dedicated to providing you with solutions and technical support.