Fabric Choices
Apologies if this is a bit overwhelming! I know too much choice can be tricky 🙂
I either have these fabrics in stock or they are due to be delivered shortly.
What are you having made?
- A Skort:
- The skirt element only needs a small amount of stretch and isn’t against your skin so there’s more flexibility of choice. The shorts need to be made from the stretchier stuff and I would advise wicking and breathable fabric for comfort.
- Running leggings/shorts:
- This partly depends on which you are having, but Strides need fabric with at least 50% stretch (most here do, bar the holograph and the navy and black stretch sports poly). Super Gs need at least 75% stretch(!), which narrows the choice down, but ask and I’ll let you know if it has or if I can compensate with sizing.
- Vests/T-shirts:
- Drape and breathability is possibly more important for tops, although good stretch helps with the Lille. Swim will tend to be less wicking and less drape-y, but can be used. Tactel is brilliant for tops as it has lovely drape and dries really quickly. Meryl is great as well and is wicking and not too clingy.
I can provide samples for you to make a final choice – please fill in the form below to request your samples.
Click through the gallery to see all of the images. I tried to get the colours as accurate as possible, but screens do differ… If you would like to see the fabric in person please let me know.
Sew your own: Fabrics that have ‘*’ after the name can be purchased by the metre if you would like to make your own activewear. They are fabrics I have been able to get at wholesale prices so I can pass some of those savings on to you. I have limited quantities so there is a 2m order limit per fabric. Please use the form on this page to ask for prices: Build your wardrobe
Trail Flare *
A lovely print on a stretch fabric base. An all-rounder in performance and quality. 190gms in weight so suitable for most sports clothes. 18% Xtralife lycra allows freedom of movement for your comfort. The fabric has a matt finish.
Green space dyed
Space dyed spandex. Soft, cotton like feel. Really stretchy, wicking and breathable Low stock.
Holograph
Crackle hologram on black spandex base. I have a skort in this – stands out, but works well. Would suggest not having rear pleats with this.
Orange Space Dyed
Space dyed spandex. Soft, cotton like feel. Really stretchy, wicking and breathable Low stock.
Heathered Grey
Performance yoga knit. Super stretchy and really soft, but a bit thicker than the others. Would work well foe the shorts. Definitely a bit warmer, but also breathable and wicking. Low stock.
Pink/Purple
Glitter dot pink/purple spandex. Slightly less Stretchy, but fine for skirt part.
Meryl Black *
Almost cottony feel. Very stretchy, wicking and breathable. Great for leggings, shorts, tops and skirts!
Meryl Plum *
Almost cottony feel. Very stretchy, wicking and breathable. Great for leggings, shorts, tops and skirts!
Meryl Cerise *
Almost cottony feel. Very stretchy, wicking and breathable. Great for leggings, shorts, tops and skirts!
Meryl Ocean Teal *
Almost cottony feel. Very stretchy, wicking and breathable. Great for leggings, shorts, tops and skirts!
Chine Fitness *
A stylish, pleasant heather fabric, offering supersoft comfort and a perfect fit alike. Chine is suitable for beachwear and active sportswear, resistant to suntan creams and oils, and also UV protective ( UPF 50+ ). The subtle, unusual texture and great breathability make it perfect for fitness items
Chine Hipster *
A stylish, pleasant heather fabric, offering supersoft comfort and a perfect fit alike. Chine is suitable for beachwear and active sportswear, resistant to suntan creams and oils, and also UV protective ( UPF 50+ ). The subtle, unusual texture and great breathability make it perfect for fitness items
Chine Navajo *
A stylish, pleasant heather fabric, offering supersoft comfort and a perfect fit alike. Chine is suitable for beachwear and active sportswear, resistant to suntan creams and oils, and also UV protective ( UPF 50+ ). The subtle, unusual texture and great breathability make it perfect for fitness items
Thermo Black *
Thicker than a standard lycra base with a fleece lining, this has thermal protection to help regulate body temperature during colder spells and has a natural moisture wicking process. It’s super stretchy so great for leggings, but would also make a good outer layer.
lilac
Tactel – Soft 4 way stretch, breathable and quick drying
black
Tactel – Soft 4 way stretch, breathable and quick drying
grape
Tactel – Soft 4 way stretch, breathable and quick drying
turquoise
Tactel – Soft 4 way stretch, breathable and quick drying
Perform Violet *
A bright purple sports stretch fabric. offers the perfect muscular compression, it decreases muscular vibrations and strain and improves athletic performance. Other features include pilling, abrasions, chlorine, sun creams and oil resistant.
Perform Black *
Black with one side a smooth matte and the other very slightly ridged. Either side can be used. offers the perfect muscular compression, it decreases muscular vibrations and strain and improves athletic performance. Other features include pilling, abrasions, chlorine, sun creams and oil resistant.
‘Denim’ performance fabric/Blue gometric ‘swim’
‘Denim’ performance fabric – great for sports use (leggings etc)/ Blue gometric ‘swim’ – a light, ‘slippy’ swim fabric great for swimsuits/bikinis.
Stripes/Navy Swim Fabric
Stripes/Navy Swim Fabric. This is stretchy and suitable for sports, but doesn’t always wick brilliantly. The stripes are on a much more cotton-feel base fabric.
Aqua Dots/Turquoise ‘Swim’ fabric
Aqua Dots/Turquoise ‘Swim’ fabric. This is stretchy and suitable for sports, but doesn’t always wick brilliantly
Pink Medallion/Turquoise ‘Swim’ fabric
Pink Medallion/Turquoise ‘Swim’ fabric. This is stretchy and suitable for sports, but doesn’t always wick brilliantly
Fern print Activewear
A gorgeous print, great for leggings, crop tops etc. 82% Polymide 18% Elastane
Space dyed grey (bottoms)
A technical polyester fabric for yoga/running tights. Sweat wicking, high quality, super stretchy.
Space dyed grey (tops)
A technical polyester fabric for vests/tshirts/lightweight hoodies. Sweat wicking, high quality, super stretchy.
Teal Brushed Performance
Super soft, heavy weight. Great for leggings or top layers. (Was in a bundle with the floral fabric)
Purple Brushed Athletic
I think it’s more towards burgundy than this picture shows. Really soft and brushed on one side. Excellent for leggings and tanks.
Black Brushed Athletic
Really soft and brushed on one side. Excellent for leggings and tanks.
Silver Brushed Performance
More of a grey really, but a soft hand and the brushed side is super soft
Space Dye Heather Teal Performance
Medium weight performance fabric for leggings, shorts etc. 260GSM 89% poly /11% lycra
Space Dye Heather Grey Performance
Medium weight performance fabric for leggings, shorts etc. 260GSM 89% poly /11% lycra
Leaves print performance
LOW QUANTITY Heavy weight with a good stretch. ideal for leggings or a Sundance Jacket.
Red Supplex & Royal Blue Performance Mesh
Good coordinates or for use alone. Supplex is great for leggings and the mesh can be used for vests/tees/inserts
Honeycombe Activewear
Light weight with 2-way stretch – good for t-shirts
Black poly span sport performance & Black poly mesh performance
The Poly Span is a wider gauge mesh that would probably work best for jacket panels or small panels on leggings/tops. The poly mesh is a soft stretchy mesh, with finer holes than standard airtex. Great for side panels on leggings or for tanks and tees.
Airtex Mesh Super Stretch Fabric
This sporty airetex mesh is super stretchy and extremely versatile. It can be used for vests, base layers and inserts.
Charcoal Mesh
Super stretchy almost airtex look mesh
Charcool Quilted Polyester
Mock quilted laminated fabric. Fairly lightweight and has some horizontal stretch. Good for jackets/gilets etc
Black Quilted Polyester
Mock quilted laminated fabric. Fairly lightweight and has some horizontal stretch. Good for jackets/gilets etc
Stretch Relfective Mesh
Super hi-vis fabric. Excellent stretch and mesh for breathability. Ideal for inserts.
Navy
Stretch sports poly. Would work well for the skirt. Slight shine to the fabric.
Black
Stretch sports poly. Would work well for the skirt. Slight shine to the fabric.
Extra info:
- This is a good colour match for the lilcal Tactel, used in a skort: Lilac SkortÂ
- I am wearing some of the fabrics in pictures that you can see on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ljt79/) .
- The grape Tactel, the hologram* crackle and the orange space dye are all there.
- The purple and green ‘dragon scale’ prints in some pictures are from Funki Fabrics (see note below)
*this is the non pleated version of the skort – see Greenstyle’s website for pleated version – this is what was used for the Wonder Women skorts and for the Hannahs’ lilac skorts.
Other Fabrics
If you would like something I don’t already have I can order in fabric for you. These sites are my go to sources, but let me know if you spot anything else!
The Wonder Woman skorts were made with fabric from Funki Fabrics. This can be ordered in 0.5m increments and I’m happy to get some in if there’s something you like.
So Sew English are based in California, but I am in a buying group in the UK. They have a great range of knits, including performance and swim.
Tia Knight is also worth a look and is where I get my Tactel from.