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Want to design your own swimwear? Congratulations! But before you start sewing, it's essential to choose the right fabric. This choice will influence the comfort, durability and appearance of your garment.
Why is the choice of fabric crucial?
The fabric of a swimming costume must meet specific requirements:
- Elasticity: To adapt to body movements and provide optimum comfort.
- Quick drying: To avoid unpleasant dampness.
- Chlorine and UV resistance: To extend the life of the jersey.
- Colour fastness: To maintain the brilliance of colours despite repeated bathing.
The most suitable fabrics
Several types of fabric meet these criteria:
- Lycra (elastane) The leading fibre in swimwear. Extremely elastic, it offers excellent support and great freedom of movement.
- Polyester Lycra: Often combined with lycra, it adds resistance and facilitates drying.
- Polyamide Very similar to polyester, it offers good wear resistance and a soft feel.
Mixes are often preferred:
To achieve the best performance, swimwear fabric manufacturers often use fibre blends. For example, a polyester/lycra blend is very common and offers a excellent value for money.
Selection criteria
When choosing your fabric, consider the following criteria:
- The percentage of elastane The higher the percentage of elastane, the more stretchy the fabric. However, too much elastane can make the fabric less resistant.
- The weight of the fabric A fabric that is too light can be fragile, while one that is too heavy can be uncomfortable.
- Certification : Some fabrics are UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) certified, which guarantees effective sun protection.
- The colour Dark colours tend to be more resistant to sun and chlorine.
See our collection of lycra fabrics for your creations
