6 fabric choices to make comfortable leggings

How to choose a good fabric to make leggings?

There are a lot of possibilities, it's normal to feel a bit confused 🙂

First you have to know what type of leggings you are looking for, are they “soft” leggings for the house, comfortable but cute leggings for walking, sports leggings for light training? or leggings with compression for serious training and/or keeping the “little slack” in place. One or the other of its options are more combinable so the possibilities are not infinite but almost LOL ... I like that it stays cute whether it's to maintain my slack or to go for a walk in town 🙂

Over the years, I have done a lot of sewing and the leggings remain the most “accessible” clothing without too much fla fla. Often without buttons, buttonholes, zippers etc. therefore not very complex to achieve. It is therefore more accessible and quick to produce, also having a result without much adjustment given the stretch side.

I have, in the last few weeks, tested a lot of athletic fibers to make technical leggings and thus be able to judge which ones I could wear and on what occasions.

　

I tested these fibers:

• FWC (festher weight compression)
• butterknit jersey
• Lightweight athletic jersey (all new)
• Chitosante extreme medium compression
• High density chitosante/compression
• BSP (brushed poly spandex)

So here is my opinion (based on my experience, my knowledge and education):

1- FWC Polyester spandex Ultra light absorbent Athletic Fiber. Certification: OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100. Eco-responsible fabric. Canadian product. Suggested use: Tops, t-shirts, underwear, camisoles, work outs, fitness and comfortable (soft) clothing.

Self: 90% Polyester, 10% Spandex 155gsm

My test:

super mega thin, also considered a "base layer" (the layer effect below, or the new version of the "combinations" for athletes). Sewing is intermediate/beginner with a good microtex type needle. The shape/silhouette is less structured than a thick fabric but hugs the curves very well and has a super nice fall. Doesn't pass the squat test, becomes relatively transparent when stretched so for me I have to wear a long top to hide the buttocks. It's soft, it's squishy, ​​it's comfortable and I'm going to wear them at home.

2- Butterknit Knit Jersey Polyester Spandex soft smooth liquid effect. OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100. Eco-responsible fabric. Canadian product. Suggested use: Light fabrics, Tops, Dresses, comfortable (soft) clothes, t-shirts. SUPER STRETCH.

Self: 86% Polyester, 14% Spandex 185gsm

My test:

Thin and light, super mega soft 🙂 hence its name “butter knit”. It will be perfect for the summer being light and “fresh”. Sewing is beginner with a good microtex type needle. The shape/silhouette is also less structured than a thick fabric but hugs the curves well and has a nice fall. Doesn't pass the squat test, becomes relatively transparent/white, me personally, I wouldn't be comfortable wearing it without a long top but a friend has no problem with the micro transparency it gives. It's soft, it's super soft, it's magic lol it's comfortable and I'm going to wear them this summer with a tunic or long blouse or long camisole.

3- Soft Polyester Spandex Local Lightweight Athletic Jersey . OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100. Eco-responsible fabric. Canadian product. Suggested use: Light fabrics, Tops, Dresses, comfortable (soft) clothes, t-shirts. SUPER STRETCH

Composition: 88% Polyester 12% Spandex 180 gsm

My test:

The pieces are cut but I haven't done the sewing yet, I love the texture, I love the light compression. I'll get back to you when my test is "wearable" after washing and drying the confection 🙂

4- BSP Recycled brushed polyester spandex absorbent sport . Certified rPet and Oeko-Tex® Standard 100, rPet (6 recycled bottles per meter) Canadian product. Eco-responsible fabric. Suggested use: Tops, Dresses, comfortable (soft) clothes, pants, jackets, vests, hoodies, sportswear.

Composition: 86% Recycled Polyester, 14% Spandex 195 gsm

My test:

The BSP (brushed poly spandex) is the absorbent sports luxury version that breathes DBP that we find everywhere. It is brushed only on one side, the fiber is absorbent and comfortable. And sweet sum a peach on one side. Sewing is beginner with a good microtex type needle. Can be worn brushed side inside or outside, we chose to print on the plush side. It is a medium to thick fabric, normal fall, very stretchy and soft. The leggings are comfortable, wearable at all times. I don't know if I will wear these leggings for training, I personally need more compression. Passes the squat test, does not become transparent.

5- Chitosante Extreme Recycled polyester spandex Athletic fiber medium density absorbent and antibacterial.

Certification: OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, rPet (9 recycled bottles per meter). Eco-responsible fabric. Canadian product. Suggestions for use: Tops, support underwear, support camisoles, work out, fitness and comfortable (soft) clothing, jackets, leggings, bra, swimming.

Composition: 92% Recycled Polyester, 8% Spandex 250 gsm

My test: My second favorite 🙂

Medium to thick thickness. super soft, the texture is like cake fondant 🙂 . It is perfect for training clothes but also everyday depending on the silhouette you give it. Having more body, held, the structure / silhouette allows full look. Sewing is beginner with a good microtex type needle again. Passes the squat test with flying colors, medium compression to keep everything in the right place while remaining comfortable close to the effect of “soft” clothing. It's super comfortable for me and I'll be wearing them in rotation pretty much all the time. Also perfect for swimsuits while being matte and not shiny. The chitos are antibacterial, absorbent, it breathes and it's UPF50.

6- Chitosante Extreme Recycled Polyester Spandex High density athletic fiber , absorbent and antibacterial. Certification: OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, rPet (9 recycled bottles per meter). Eco-responsible fabric. Canadian product. Suggested use: Tops, support underwear, support camisoles, work out, fitness, jackets, leggings, sports bra, swimming.

Composition: 88% Recycled Polyester, 12% Spandex 300 gsm

My test: My favorite 🙂

The heaviest at 300 gsm. super soft, the texture is also like cake fondant but a good layer of thick 🙂 . It is perfect for training clothes but also everyday depending on the silhouette you give it. Having more body, held, the structure / silhouette allows full look. Sewing is beginner with a good microtex type needle again. Passes the squat test with flying colors, high compression to keep everything in the right place with a high “hold” effect. It is THE fabric for making sportswear that will be worn in more serious training. Also perfect for swimsuits while being matte and not shiny. The chitos are antibacterial, absorbent, it breathes and it's UPF50.

The famous squat test 🙂

It's when you wear a fitted garment and by doing a movement like an iron buttocks / concrete thighs squat that it causes or not a transparency of the fabric due to its thickness and its mechanical and/or compositional extensibility. A successful test: you can't see the panties or the color of them when you do a squat. A failed test is when you can see the panties or the color of them when the fabric is stretched.

For some people when the images are big/dark/busy they don't mind that the fiber doesn't pass the squat test because it's much less noticeable whereas pale patterns and colors won't leave much of a mark. room for imagination 🙂

Fabrics available in our exclusive collections

Each fiber tested is available in exclusive collections and custom fabrics, when you have chosen the design or pattern, simply select the fabric according to the fiber you need to make your own leggings.