My Search for a Jersey

When I started looking at fabrics for ADALÉI,  I had an idea for a gown design that wasn't in the stores.  I pictured a long elegant lounge gown, floor length, that would work both as sleep or loungewear and could be worn for a quick errand.  It was also important to me that the fabric was wicking, cooling, and didn't irritate my skin which gets incredibly dry in the winter.   My first experience with ProModal was a noticeable difference in the hand and softness.  I had heard about tencel and modal fabrics through my research for natural and sustainable fabrics and loved they were produced by Lenzing.   

Lenzing has been in business for 80 years, based in Austria, and makes fibers from cellulose.  They also have a plant in Mobile, AL, here in the US.  The wood pulp used in tencel is a renewable raw material that comes from sustainably managed forests.  They are committed to the concept of a circular economy and at the end of the life cycle, fibers are biodegradable and able to re-enter the eco-system.  Raw materials are processed in a closed loop production, capturing 99.7% of the solvents to reuse.  Chemicals that would otherwise pollute the environment.  Lenzing new technologies are combining recycled cotton scraps with tencel to reduce the amount of virgin raw materials used.  

I always pre-test my fabrics before releasing for sale and was frankly shocked at how comfortable and breathable the fabric was during the day and while sleeping.  One thing I noticed was how infrequently I was washing my samples.  The fabric didn't seem to need cleaning like other clothes, mainly cotton and blends.  Since tencel absorbs 50% more moisture than cotton, it was a game changer for me.  I found a US mill and had several rolls produced in custom dye lots.  A sustainable product, silky against the skin, and ability to help regulate body temperature was the perfect jersey for what has become a base fabric in my line.  

*During April of 2019, TENCEL replanted a tree for every 50 likes or 10 shares of their "From Trees, For Trees" campaign.  Intended to bring awareness to their impact on the planet and educate consumers on their use of fibers from certified, sustainable forests.