Sewing Sustainable Leggings that Sell

Are you sewing handmade items in the workout, athleisure, and sports market and looking for durable, non-toxic material made here in the USA?  

When leggings burst onto the fashion scene in the early 2010s as an alternative to pants, transcending the role of mere accessory that they had been relegated to since the 80s, many thought them a passing phase. Yet, a decade later, the athleisure trend is still going strong. And why not? Leggings are comfortable, versatile, and easy to care for. And when the cheap materials wear out, they’re easy to replace. The leggings industry isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.  

You saw that there was a demand for leggings and answered the call. You decided you wanted to make and sell leggings. But unlike the money-grabbing fast-fashion corporations whose production processes contribute to pollution and are largely responsible for the 92 million tons of annual global fabric waste, you are looking to create durable, quality leggings that are healthier for your clients and the environment. 

Your clients want leggings that will last more than a year or two, made from material that lacks lead and harmful chemicals. They want leggings that feel great to buy and to wear, and you want to provide that. But with so many textile options before you, and so many poor-quality fabrics flooding the textile market, how do you find the materials that best suit you and your clients’ needs and still uphold your goals for an eco-conscious brand? 

This is where we come in. 

Partnering with AKAS Tex, we are driven toward textile innovation and focus on manufacturing eco-friendly, chemical-free materials. We know that there are diverse uses for leggings and we have a variety of fabric options to suit those needs. If you know your clients’ preferences and how they intend to use their leggings, we can help you find the right material for your product. 

Polyester is a synthetic fiber that is resilient and easy to care for. It is generally moisture, UV ray, and abrasion resistant, and is therefore perfect for athletic wear like leggings. It can be difficult, however, to find polyester that has been ethically and safely produced, which sets our products apart from the rest. Our polyester is sourced within the USA from Unifi, contains no harmful chemicals or heavy metals and meets strict standards set by the US Consumer Products Safety Commission, so you can get all the great benefits of polyester, like superior moisture wicking and sun damage protection, without the downside of harsh chemicals being rubbed into your skin. 

Spandex or Lycra, another popular synthetic fiber, is known for its superior stretching ability. In fact, spandex fibers can stretch to approximately 500% of their original size without breaking! Unfortunately, spandex fabric can also trap moisture and cause skin irritation. We use Lycra, a high-quality brand of spandex, blended with other fibers like polyester or nylon, to create a high-performance, moisture-wicking material with superior stretch. Our 360° Stretch-FIT Cationic Sports Jersey is a great example. Not only do the hydrophobic fibers have moisture-wicking properties, but this material also can stretch up to 80% more than its original shape. It retains its form beautifully and boasts some very eco-friendly manufacturing practices, like being dyed at a lower temperature to reduce energy consumption without sacrificing the vibrancy.  

Cotton is comfortable, soft, and completely natural. It is easy to care for and doesn’t require special treatment. While it is breathable and perfect for loungewear, it can get stretched out and absorb moisture, which makes it less desirable for athletic wear. Our ProCool Cotton TransDRY fabric, designed in collaboration with Cotton Incorporated, is an organic cotton material specially engineered to pull any moisture away from your body to the surface of the fabric, keeping you clean and dry. Cotton can also be blended with other fabrics like polyester or spandex to give your product less shrinkage, and more durability and help it retain its shape. Our ProECO Stretch-FIT Cotton Jersey, for instance, is a blend of organic cotton and Lycra, giving it a 4-way stretch that is ideal for athletic performance.  

Wool is one natural fiber you may not have expected to see on this list, but wool leggings have a lot of great benefits! Wool is naturally wicking and can keep you warm even when it is soaking wet. While it may not be the top choice for a jog or a gym workout, it’s a great option for hikers. Our Merino wool is made of premium ethically sourced Merino sheep wool and scoured at high temperatures to remove all dirt and impurities. And it is so comfortable!  

So how do you pick? 

These are only a few examples of the many top-notch textiles we offer at Wazoodle. Our Fabric Finder tab even has a sub-section on leggings, with dozens of more specially-selected alternatives. Now that you have an idea of Wazoodle’s commitment to quality, performance, and sustainability, you’re facing the difficult task of finding which of our fabrics best suits you and your clients’ needs. But since we know that so many great options can make narrowing down your choices even harder, we offer a variety of swatch kits to help you get a feel for the fabrics and find the material that aligns with your vision. Here is our ProCool TransWICK variety swatch kit which contains an assortment of athletic fabrics.  

We believe in your goals for a sustainable and health-conscious brand and want to support you, so if you are having trouble narrowing down your options, or your product has unique needs, please reach out. We’d love to match you with your dream fabric!