Fabric Suggestions
Stretch Woven / Hiking Pant Fabrics:
Lightweight/Warm Weather: (best for elastic waist, looser-fit styles)
5.2 oz AIRWAVE™ 4-Way Stretch Ripstop Nylon - Ripstop By the Roll
4.8 oz TELLURIDE Nylon/Spandex Stretch Woven Mini Ripstop - Rockywoods
5.5 oz Stretch Taslan 95% Nylon, 5% Spandex - Salt Lake Sewciety
Midweight/3-Season:
6.3 oz / 213 gsm - Adventure Stretch Woven, Double Weave - Discovery Fabrics
5.3 oz Schoeller-Dynamic Stretch Woven, 88% Nylon / 12% Elastane - Rockywoods
6.5 oz / 220 gsm - Tweave® Nylon Spandex Plainweave - Rockywoods
7.1 oz / 240 gsm Nylon Spandex Plainweave Stretch Woven - Rockywoods
Cotton-rich Stretch Twill Fabric with 2-5% spandex - Available at many stores
Mid to Heavyweight/Cold Weather/Workwear:
230 gsm “Canvas” 94% Nylon / 6% Spandex - Rockywoods
7-8 oz Schoeller Schussmeister Stretch Woven with Wool lining - Rockywoods
7.1 oz / 240 gsm - Nike (Tweave) - Discovery Fabrics
10.5 oz / 355 gsm - Deadstock Stretch Denim with Nylon - Core Fabrics
10 oz / 340 gsm - S-Gene Stretch Denim - Blackbird
9.7 oz /320 gsm - Deadstock Stretch Denim - Stonemountain
Knit Fabrics:
Activewear/Sun Protection Top Fabrics: (typically under 220 gsm)
Polartec Delta - Mill Yardage or Discovery Fabrics
Activewear Knits: Hobby Fabrics, Northlayer Studio, Salt Lake Sewciety
Polyester Wool Jersey - Northlayer Studio
Tencel/Spandex Jersey - Surge Fabric Shop
Baselayer Top Fabrics:
100% Merino Wool Jersey - Available at many stores (such as Core Fabrics, Salt Lake Sewciety or Blackbird)
Merino/Activewear Blends - The Fabric Store, Nature’s Fabrics, New Zealand Merino, Northlayer Studio
Polartec Power Wool and all baselayer fabrics - Discovery Fabrics
Polartec Power Dry Fabrics - Discovery Fabrics, Northlayer Studio
Baselayer Legging Fabrics:
(recommended to use 4-way stretch)
Polartec Power Wool Lightweight - Discovery Fabrics or Mill Yardage
Polartec Power Wool Midweight Fleece - Discovery Fabrics or Mill Yardage
Merino Wool, 3% Spandex Jersey - Nature’s Fabrics
Merino/Spandex Blends - New Zealand Merino
NOTE: Items from Ripstop by the Roll, Discovery Fabrics, and Rockywoods are affiliate links. We earn a small commission by providing guidance on fabrics.
Learn More
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Download our fabric Stretch Gauge PDF to determine the stretch percentage suggested in any pattern.
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Learn about Fabric Grainlines and how they affect sewing and fitting in this downloadable PDF.
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Check out the Fabric Stores page for a list of places to shop outdoor fabrics around the globe.