Fabric Knowledge – Softshell
How is softshell made and what are the properties of the material?
The functional textile softshell is usually made up of two to three layers of textile, the so-called membranes, which are laminated. The outer layer is made of a particularly hard-wearing material that insulates the inner layer and repels moisture. These are usually fabrics or laminates woven from synthetic fibers. These are fibers with a high ability to transport moisture, but which themselves absorb almost no moisture. Synthetic fibers used for softshell can be polyester, polyamide or polypropylene. The inside is designed to retain heat and is often very soft. The outer side also usually has a coating that acts as a waterproofing agent. The aim of this waterproofing is to provide even better protection against wind and water.
The material is therefore water-repellent, windproof and also warm. Unlike natural fibers, synthetic fibers do not absorb water, but rather repel it. However, in long, heavy rain, the material reaches its limits and at a certain point can no longer withstand it. However, softshell is ideal for light rain and snowfall due to its warming and repellent properties. However, in really cold or even icy temperatures, the warming, light softshell reaches its limits. In these cases, additional clothing must be worn over or under it. Softshell is the perfect material for transitional clothing, as it is very comfortable to wear, protects against wind and weather and is waterproof yet lightweight. The quality of the fabric can be described as medium-thick in terms of feel.
However, softshell is also a light and quite breathable material due to the specially used porous membranes, which is why it is so popular with athletes, cyclists, children and outdoor fans. The two to three layers make the material very robust and, when subjected to the appropriate level of wear, usually lasts longer than most other textiles. The material is very easy to care for compared to other textiles due to the laminated synthetic fibers, which are also often impregnated. This is a great selling point for outdoor use.
What can you sew with softshell?
Softshell is often used as a functional textile for modern and functional sports and leisure clothing. Softshell is primarily used for jackets and outerwear, but it is also suitable for many other projects where the focus is on the great outdoor properties. The material is suitable for beautiful DIY sewing projects such as:
- bag
- jackets
- coats
- mud pants
- bad weather suit
- bad weather cape
- backpacks
- ski suit
- bags
How is softshell cared for and processed?
What needs to be considered when sewing with softshell fabric?
When buying softshell fabric by the meter, it is important to follow the tips below so that the fabric retains its great properties in the long term and you can enjoy it outdoors in nature.
The material should not be damaged by avoidable sharp needle punctures, which is why pins, safety pins and the like should not be used. It is advisable to use clips or, for example, adhesive, crepe or other fixing tape that can be easily removed at the end without leaving any residue to fix the pattern. Softshell is a very robust material and, above all, is dense due to the lamination, which means that sharp scissors or a sharp rotary cutter are essential to avoid making the work unnecessarily difficult. It is not necessary to clean up the cut edges, as the laminated material does not usually fray.
The same applies to sewing as to cutting. If necessary, the cut pieces should only be secured together with clips or staples, without using sharp pins. Ideally, a special Microtex needle should be used for the sewing needle. This sewing needle has the advantage of having a particularly slim, thin tip, which makes it ideal for particularly fine, very dense and coated materials. The aim is still to avoid unnecessary holes caused by unnecessary needle stitches. With this in mind, it is recommended to use a straight stitch and smooth, robust sewing thread for sewing. On the machine, a larger distance should then be chosen for the seam, but enough stitches should be made to connect the cut pieces firmly and permanently.
How do you properly care for softshell?
Softshell fabric can generally be washed in the washing machine at 30°C without using fabric softener. However, the waterproofing can decrease with increasing wash cycles. In the long term, it may be better to remove dirt selectively, as needed with damp water and mild soap or by brushing.
If the waterproofing protection of softshell fabrics wears down due to repeated washing and wear, it can be reactivated using sprays, creams and foams suitable for this purpose. To do this, the product must be applied to the outer layer in a dry state according to the packaging instructions.
Softshell absorbs very little water on its own, so a quick air drying is usually sufficient. The dryer should not be used if possible to avoid changes in the material and therefore in its properties due to excessive heat.
Since softshell fabrics are synthetic fabrics, they can be gently ironed in an emergency if absolutely necessary. However, only a low temperature should be set for this, otherwise, in the worst case, the membrane structure can be permanently deformed and thus damaged. This means that the textile also loses some of its positive properties.
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