Shapewear company uses infused fibers for heating, cooling

March 1, 2025  |  Swatches

Aiming to keep its customers comfortable whether they’re wearing a minidress in the winter or a long gown in the summer, Popilush, Williamsburg, Va., uses specialty thermal fibers in its designs, which include built-in shapewear.
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Biodegradable winter jacket collaboration

March 1, 2025  |  Swatches

A collaboration between three companies has resulted in a biodegradable puffy down jacket. ALLIED Feather + Down, Active Apparel Group and Templa collaborated on the coat, which is made from biodegradable synthetic materials, including trims, and 800-fill-power down insulation. More than 99% of the…
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Alpaca DNA analysis aims to increase fiber quality

March 1, 2025  |  Swatches

MGI Tech Co. Ltd., Universidad Agraria La Molina (National Agrarian University) and Inca Tops are collaborating on agenetic research project to analyze the DNA of 1,500 alpacas from Melgar, Peru.
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Hainsworth tests firefighter gear that includes wool fibers

March 1, 2025  |  Swatches

The staff of Hainsworth Protective Fabrics, West Yorkshire, England, already knew about the technical properties of wool, which has been part of the company’s ECO-DRY firefighter gear fabric since its development in 2012. But they wanted hard data.
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Fabric enables sauna sessions on the go

March 1, 2025  |  Swatches

St. Paul, Minn.-based Firefly Sauna has released two outdoor portable fabric saunas, eliminating the need to build a permanent wooden structure. The Firefly Spark and Firefly Dome’s pop-up design allows people to use a sauna while traveling or camping and is easily stored when not in use.
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Innovations in 3D-printed shoes, materials to combat waste

February 1, 2025  |  Swatches

The ecological impact of footwear is on the minds of researchers and designers working in 3D printing. Here are three projects in progress.
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Handmade quilts by Louise Silk spotlighted in Pittsburgh

February 1, 2025  |  Swatches

The Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., is featuring the work of Jewish quilter Louise Silk in its exhibit “Louise Silk: A Patchwork Life.” The exhibit opened Sept. 1, 2024, and runs through April 6, 2025.
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Lignin used for 3D-printed glove grip coating

February 1, 2025  |  Swatches

Researchers at the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) have developed a durable, flexible lignin-based biopolymer grip coating that can be applied via 3D printing to gloves. The DITF researchers’ goal was to replace oil-based polymers, nitrile rubber or latex for prot…
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Aerogel-infused fibers could make thinner warm textiles

February 1, 2025  |  Swatches

In its latest work with aerogel, Outlast Technologies GmbH announced that it has incorporated the thin insulating material directly into viscose fibers’ structure. The process has the potential to aid in creating less-bulky warm winter bedding or outdoor clothing. Aerogel insulates by binding the …
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Broward College shade sails win Soltis 502 contest

February 1, 2025  |  Swatches

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of membrane fabric Soltis Proof 502, Serge Ferrari held a contest to reward a project using new color Revival Blue, which joins the company’s repertoire of more than 30 colors. The winning project consists of a 1,400-square-foot shade sail installation at Broward …
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