3 Tips for Choosing Activewear Fabric for a Sewing Project

Creating activewear for yourself and others is a great way to include the style and durability that you need from activewear without having to sacrifice what you don’t need. As you start your project, your biggest choice is what type of fabrics you will use for your activewear. Because there are many choices available, it can be difficult to find exactly what you are looking for if you don’t know what you should consider. Here are three tips that will help you choose the best fabric options for your activewear sewing project.

1- Look for Fabric with Four-Way Stretch

One of the first aspects to look for with any fabric you are choosing to use for making activewear is the ability for it to stretch. With moderate or heavy physical activity, you will see that stretch becomes significant. Tighter fabrics with less stretch can be uncomfortable, limit movement during exercise, and could split at the seams with vigorous activity. That is why it is important to look for a four-way stretchable material. If the activewear fabric can stretch in all directions, it will help facilitate your active movements.

If you are using a mix of materials for a single clothing item, you may be able to incorporate materials with a bit less stretch, but it is important to include those elements in areas where the fabric won’t stretch as much during physical activity.

It is easy to test your fabric materials by stretching them in every direction to make sure that you are getting the amount of stretch that you are looking for.

2- Choose a Fabric that is Moisture Wicking

Another aspect of a good fabric choice for activewear is to make sure the fabric you choose can easily wick away moisture. This helps to prevent irritation when sweating and can also help you stay cool while working out. These fabrics are comfortable and can provide the necessary stretch that you are looking for with your activewear sewing project.

3- Consider the Durability of Your Fabric Choice

One last aspect of choosing the right fabric for an activewear sewing project is to make sure that you are choosing fabrics that are durable. Durability can have many facets, and with activewear, you want to make sure to consider all of them to get a high-quality piece of clothing out of your sewing efforts.

When you are looking for durability in a fabric, you want to make sure that it is thick enough to hold up to your sewing while also being thin enough for working out. Stretch also comes into play when talking about durability because a great stretch in the fabric should be able to bounce back. Cheaper materials with high stretch may give you what you need, but they may not last through repeated wear and washings.

If you take these aspects of activewear fabric choice into consideration when choosing materials for your activewear sewing project, you will be able to create activewear that is durable and comfortable for all of your exercise and lounging needs.