Looking for AK, Athletic Knit?

Phew! Not easy to navigate today with all these names, abbreviations and creative names from one seller to another :)

AK is the abbreviation of "athletic knit" which is an umbrella term. It is a term that very VERY broadly refers to stretch fabrics used in “sports” clothing.

At Couture and Violette Textiles, our athletic fabrics are treated with Microban or Chitosante. These are therefore antibacterial, “wicking” that is to say absorbent, breathable and quick-drying to very-quick-drying, antistatic, resistant to rubbing, pilling and anti-odor. They are sewn with “stretch” needles ideally with a serger if not with the “stretch” stitch (the weird lightning bolt) on the regular sewing machine.

To direct you to the right material, the right fabric, the right fiber :) I have these questions for you …

What do you want to sew?

Leggings (the most common option) for training? So I would say you need an athletic fabric that is highly stretchable, has compression, ideally dense and will feature properties like being absorbent, that it breathes and if possible that it is anti-bacterial.

At Couture and Violette Textiles we offer you these options (these options are also very often used for everyday leggings by many including Me;)):

- The Butter Yoga, thin but very dense thin, medium weight, it is super soft to the touch (like butter) and is stretchy with good compression. it is anti-bacterial, antistatic, it breathes, absorbs and what we call “quick-dry”. Sews with regular or small negative ease. This fabric is made from recycled water bottles. A big favourite.

- Medium density chitosante, medium to high weight, with good compression, very stretchy, it breathes, is absorbent and dries quickly. It is antistatic, antibacterial, etc. Sews with regular or large negative ease. This fabric is made from recycled water bottles.

- Chitosante High density, high weight, with great compression, very stretchy, it breathes, is absorbent and dries quickly. It is antistatic, antibacterial, etc. Sews with medium or high negative ease if more compression is needed to increase circulation during continuous effort. This fabric is made from recycled water bottles.

Leggings (the most common option) for comfort not necessarily for training or simply to be up to date? All the options for training are good but to that I would add that for great comfort we are looking for an athletic fabric that is highly stretchy, soft, soft, without necessarily having compression.

At Couture and Violette Textiles we offer you these options:

- Le BSP (polyester, spandex brushed one side), heavy weight, soft textured by brushing, very stretchy, it breathes, is absorbent and dries quickly. Sews with a very large to small negative ease depending on the comfort and the stretch chosen. It is thermoregulating, it can have the effect of being too hot for the summer but in reality, as it will not remain humid and that it "breathes" it is very comfortable in all seasons. This fabric is made from recycled water bottles. A big favourite.

- Le Spun medium, heavy weight, soft and textured, stretchy, breathable, absorbent and quick-drying. Sews with a small negative ease. Has the effect of structured but very comfortable pants. It is warm comfortable.

- Le DTY soyeux, light to medium weight, soft and double brushed, very stretchy but thin (not considered "Squat-proof"). Sews with a very large to small negative ease depending on the comfort and the stretch chosen. A more accessible and non-performance fabric, but super comfortable. Very popular for those who wear a tunic or long sweater over leggings.

- Le Butterknit 2.0, light weight, super soft (like butter), very stretchy but thin (not considered "Squat-proof"), it is light compression. Sews with medium negative ease for incredible comfort that replaces opaque tights in a much more comfortable and resistant way. A more accessible fabric much loved for those who wear a tunic or long sweater over leggings. it is anti-bacterial, antistatic, it breathes, absorbs and what we call “quick-dry”.

- Le Brushed RIB flat, light to medium weight, soft brushed is ribbed and open knit so is very "breathable". Very stretchy but thin (not considered "Squat-proof"). Sews with a very large to small negative ease depending on the comfort and the stretch chosen. A more accessible fabric for comfort and the "ventilated" side which allows you not to get hot.

Whether it's for lighter sportswear, more performance or simply to be comfortable, the right choice of fabric is always important. To help you find your way around, here are the athletic fibers we have.