Storm Creek reduces plastic waste, gives back to community

April 1, 2025  |  Swatches

Storm Creek, an apparel brand based in Eagan, Minn., is committed to reducing plastic waste through upcycling plastic bottles into clothing items. The company sources plastic bottles from postconsumer waste that are broken down into plastic flakes, then beads and finally, polyester fibers that are u…
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Pvilion’s solar ag buildings could take farmers off the grid

April 1, 2025  |  Swatches

Solar-structure manufacturer Pvilion, of Brooklyn, N.Y., is partnering with fabric ag building manufacturer Accu-Steel Inc., headquartered in Templeton, Iowa, to test an “agrivoltaic” structure for farmers. With the addition of walls, it could serve as an off-grid shop or livestock shelter or ha…
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Waterproof coating for clothes made from textile waste

April 1, 2025  |  Swatches

Cornell University researchers have developed a waterproof coating made from unrefined polyester/spandex textile waste. Their work builds on and applies previous proof-of-concept research synthesizing coatings.
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One-step flame retardant for cotton developed

April 1, 2025  |  Swatches

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a nontoxic one-step flame-retardant coating process for cotton that can be scaled for industry using pad-dry coating. The application of a polyelectrolyte-complex-type coating commonly needs two or more steps, the scientists’ study notes. The …
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Fabric architecture on display for millions in Osaka

April 1, 2025  |  Swatches

A projected 28 million visitors to the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan, will marvel at dozens of fabric architecture pavilions and shade structures as they learn about cutting-edge technology and imagine a potentially more sustainable future. The event opens April 13 and continues through Oct. 13. …
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Textiles to help prosthetic limbs blend into clothes

April 1, 2025  |  Swatches

To combat the discomfort some people may feel in public when sporting a prosthetic limb, Ukrainian device maker SYLA has partnered with London, England-based Running Guy design studio on a removable textile sleeve that allows the medical device to blend in with regular clothing.
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Cadense infrared compression socks boost muscles

April 1, 2025  |  Swatches

Hologenix, a materials science company based in Pacific Palisades, Calif., and Cadense of Santa Barbara, Calif., have partnered to release Energy BOOST Performance Socks that feature CELLIANT®, a blend of infrared-emitting minerals developed by Hologenix that converts body heat into infrared energy…
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Continuing the family legacy of Mike’s Marine Custom Canvas

April 1, 2025  |  Features, Perspective

A wall displaying nearly 30 years of industry awards marks the entrance to Mike’s Marine Custom Canvas in Virginia Beach, Va.—a testament to the shop’s history of quality and craftsmanship.
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Extending a helping hand to give back

April 1, 2025  |  Features

For many companies in the industry, helping others has nothing to do with free publicity and everything to do with caring about their communities and making a worthwhile difference in the lives of both the recipients and the companies’ staff.
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2025 Specialty Fabrics Showcase

April 1, 2025  |  Features, Specialty Fabrics Showcase

Awnings, marine upholstery, furniture, banners and signs, and more: Regardless of the end product, the fabric your business needs may have to perform in harsh conditions while still looking good and fitting into a client’s budget. For our annual showcase, more than 25 companies shared their newest…
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