Suggested kids wear fabric
It's understandable why kidswear clothing is quickly rising to the top of the garment industry's income ladder as high street labels and well-known companies seize this unmissable opportunity given the rise in demand and wider range of kidswear clothing styles in recent years.
The market has come a long way, offering everything from cute angelic costumes to fierce streetwear ensembles and even infant copies of well-known designer clothing and footwear.
Today, creating a kidswear collection doesn't just mean selecting the best fabric for t-shirts or swaddles; it also means including a wide range of items, such as gorgeous dresses, miniature tuxedos, streetwear, and clothing that can be repurposed into smaller versions for men, women, and children.
Although producing your own children's clothes is an exciting experience, choosing fabric can be overwhelming because there are so many alternatives available.
We've compiled a list of our suggested fabrics in this guide to help you along the way as you embark on the kidswear clothing manufacturing process.
Before we get into the specifics, let me highlight a few important things to keep in mind, particularly if you are creating a line of baby garments, which requires extra care because babies are so delicate.
Things to note when manufacturing baby clothes
Because infants and babies have a reduced ability to control their body temperature, it's critical to choose breathable, soft, comfy, and easy-to-maintain textiles that will keep the child warm without being too hot.
Fabric Dyes
To protect children from dangerous chemicals and to avoid skin responses or health issues, choose low-impact or reactive dyes rather than those that are carcinogenic or contain heavy metals.
Material Features include:
Although not a must, you might want to consider the following characteristics when choosing fabrics for babies' and children's clothing based on how the item will be worn (formal/occasional vs. daily wear, delicate vs. durable):
- Materials that withstand stains
- Fabrics that breathe
- wrinkle-preventing
- Fabrics that are hypoallergenic
- fabrics derived from plant fibers
- Wicking away moisture
Suggested Fabrics:
Jersey
Jersey-knit fabrics, often referred to as single knit fabrics, are among the most fundamental types of weft knitting and are a widely utilized, extremely versatile, and well-liked choice for a wide range of apparel styles in the fashion industry.
The lightweight fabric, which is well-known for its close knits and stretchiness, is incredibly breathable and absorbent, which makes it an excellent option for kids' clothes, t-shirts, activewear, and baby clothes.
Pros:
- Stretchy
- Versatile
- Wrinkle resistant
- Lightweight yet durable
Cons:
- Prone to piling
- May snag
Recommended for: onesies, rompers, t-shirts, leggings, tanks, dresses, pants, shorts, blouses, shirts
Linen
Pros:
- Softens with wash
- Highly durable
- Lightweight, cooling, breathable and quick-drying
- Sustainable
- Antibacterial
Cons:
- Tendency to shrink
- Wrinkle-prone
Recommended for: dresses, pants, shorts blouses, shirts
Cupro
Image via fibrebio
Cupro is an environmentally friendly and sustainable fabric that is created from the regenerated cellulose fibers of recycled cotton linter, a waste product of cotton that is thrown away because its fibers are too small to be spun.
Cupro is a vegan alternative to silk because of its silky appearance and exquisite drape. It is incredibly soft to the touch and has a suede-like texture. In addition to its eco-friendliness, cupro is highly favored for its hypoallergenic features and its smooth, silky, and opulent hand feel, which is said to rival that of silk, the ultimate fabric. This is a fantastic, more cost-effective substitute for opulent-looking children's clothing that won't make parents gag if it gets dirty.
Pros:
- Luxurious feel that rivals silk
- Sustainable and eco friendly
- Great vegan alternative for silk
- Hypoallergenic
- Durable
- Dries quickly
Cons:
- Prone to piling
Recommended for: dresses, blouses, shirts
Ponte Di Roma
A soft, robust, and heavier double-knit fabric with a subtle horizontal ribbed look, Ponte Di Roma (also known as Ponte or Ponte Roma) is roughly translated to "Roman Bridge" in Italian due to its structure resembling classic roman bridges.
The incredibly adaptable Ponte di Roma, which is made of a blend of rayon, polyester, and spandex, is cozy and attractive as well as simple to maintain thanks to its layers of interlocking weave. The fabric, which comes in different weights, has a two-way flexibility that allows it to adapt to the shape of the body while creating a streamlined, smooth, and elegant appearance.
Pros:
- Very resilient and stable
- Almost rigid like a woven fabric
- Wrinkle-resistant
- Reversible
Cons:
- Prone to snags
Recommended for: leggings, dresses, blouses, shirts
Crepe
Crepe is a weaving or fabric treatment technique that produces a thin, rough fabric that has a characteristic wrinkled, crinkled appearance.
Crepe fabrics, which were formerly composed of silk, can now be manufactured of nearly any fiber.
Crepe fabrics, which range in thickness from thin and light to thick and heavy, are adored for their exquisite drape. They are frequently used for home décor as well as a variety of feminine items such dresses, blouses, suits, slacks, and skirts.
Pros:
- Creates a beautiful, flowy drape
- Durable and long-lasting
- Resistant to dust and moisture
- Stretchy and sits away from body due to its texture
Cons:
- Prone to fraying and snagging
- Low heat retention
Recommended for: playsuits, jumpsuits, shorts, pants, blazers, jackets, dresses, skirts, blouses
Georgette
Georgette, which is sometimes mistaken for chiffon, is more drapey and has a little rougher texture than chiffon, which has a smoother surface and less drape.
It is mostly composed of silk or synthetic fibers that resemble silk and are tightly woven with twisted yarns to give it a crinkled appearance. It has a soft and smooth appearance. The lightweight, breathable fabric is a favorite choice for women, girls, and children's clothing due to its flowy structure and drape, which give dresses and skirts a lovely, feminine, flouncy body.
Pros:
- Lightweight and breathable
- Drapes beautifully
- Interesting signature puckered appearance
Cons:
- Delicate fabric, requires more care
- Prone to snagging
Recommended for: blouses, shirts, dresses
Satin
Satin is a sort of weave fabric with a smooth, irradiant-like surface that is well-known for being a superior option for evening gowns. Because of its reduced interlaces, it has a glossy top side and a duller underneath, giving it a smooth, glossy, and shiny appearance.
The silky fabric is a wonderful choice for formal, evening-style kidswear since it drapes wonderfully and gives an opulent appearance. With its characteristic smooth sheen, the fabric is soft and silky against the skin and adds an opulent touch to clothing, making it a fantastic option for evening or formal wear.
Pros:
- Soft, shiny, lustrous and drapes beautifully
- Wrinkle resistant
- Luxurious look and feel
Cons:
- Silkier satins can be prone to snags, pulls and abrasions
- Extra care required for silk satins
Recommended for: blouses, shirts, dresses
Chiffon
S and Z-twist crepe yarns are used in the loose weaving process of chiffon, which results in tiny puckers that are slightly harsh to the touch. This is what gives the material its characteristic transparency and sheer look.
Strong, airy, semi-transparent, and flowing, the gauze-like material is an ideal choice for layering to create playful, frivolous kidswear outfits with a delicate feminine appearance and unique texture.
Pros:
- Drapes well
- Lightweight and breathable
- Ideal for layering
- Strong and stretchy due to yarn twist and weaving pattern
- Better movement than cotton and polyester
Cons:
- Prone to fraying and pulling
- Prone to shrinking and stretching
- Susceptible to stains
Corduroy
The classic corduroy fabric, known for its characteristic raised cord or wale pattern, has been around since 200 BC and is still in high demand today. It originated in ancient Egypt.
Its distinctive twill weave structure produces a thick and resilient fabric that retains warmth and is long-lasting. The ridged material is composed of woven pile-cut yard that is then cut into cords or wales generating vertical ribs. Owing to its distinctive ribbed texture and longevity, the fabric is frequently utilized in childrenswear, keeping small ones warm and adorable.
Pros:
- Durable
- Soft and comfortable
- Interesting texture
- Easy care
Cons:
- Prone to shrinkage – avoid high-temperature washing
- Thick and heavy
Recommended for: Tops, pants, shorts
Twill
Willis is a plain-weave fabric with a distinctive thick pattern of diagonally parallel ribs because the yarns are pressed closely together. Twill fabrics typically feature two sides: a technical face on the front and a technical rear on the back, with the front being more apparent, visually appealing, and long-lasting.
The robust fabric option is also common and identifiable in denim, chino, drill, herringbone, and gabardine fabrics—all of which are a kind or variant of twill—and is frequently utilized for hardy work clothes, pants, and upholstery.
Pros:
- Durable
- Wrinkle-resistant
- Opaque
- Stain-resistant
Cons:
- Can wrinkle
- Prone to shrinkage if not washed correctly
Recommended for: pants, shorts, dresses
Pique
Pique is a very adaptable fabric that is frequently used in sportswear, polo tees, and formal shirting apparel. It is utilized in everything from golf to white-tie affairs. The pattern and structure of double weave cotton fabric, which is distinguished from jersey fabrics by raised parallel cords or fine ribbing that gives the cloth its embossed appearance, contribute to a more professional presentation.
Together with its other qualities of breathability, durability, and ease of care, pique's beneficial texture and weave type help to conceal and show less perspiration, making it a fantastic versatile alternative for manufacturing a number of kidswear clothing styles ranging from day to night.
Pros:
- Breathable and airy
- Formal look with the weave and knit type
- Durable and long-lasting
- Shows less sweat
Cons:
- Can be prone to wrinkling
Recommended for: onesies, rompers, t-shirts, leggings, tanks