The Second Installation of SubSurface, Fabric Decisions

If you missed the last blog post we'd just been through a whirlwind learning experience at the Portland Functional Fabric Fair.

SubSurface: Materials Research at The Functional Fabric Fair

We learned a ton of terminology there as well as a great deal about garment construction and the whole supply chain of clothing manufacturing.  Armed with piles of fabrics from the various mills we'd met with we started narrowing our selection selecting some designs.

Back home in Vancouver we went about testing and analysing all the materials we collected. From our research we knew we needed materials that are quick drying, breathable, and resilient. We found the perfect materials from an amazing italian company. Furthermore, fulfilling our goal of minimizing our environmental footprint they had a recycled Econyl fabric that was perfect for the shell of our suits and a biodegradable, buttery soft fabric that we could use for our liners.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes a piece of clothing feel just right—whether it’s the softness of the fabric, the perfect fit, or the durability that stands the test of time—it all comes down to construction. During the fair, we had the chance to dive deeper into this complex process.

Garment construction isn’t just about putting pieces of fabric together. It’s about understanding how different textiles behave, how seams and stitches can impact longevity, and how fabric finishes contribute to a garment’s overall performance. We walked away with fresh insights on how we can continue to improve the construction of our own collections, ensuring that every piece we design not only looks good but feels great and lasts.