Softshell fabrics by the metre

Always in vogue in the outdoor and sports sector, but also very popular for leisurewear, softshell has become firmly established in the clothing industry. This easy-care material is also ideal for sewing at home.

We therefore offer a large selection of softshell qualities in various colours and weight classes. If you can't find what you're looking for, please get in touch with our fabric consultation team and we'll do our best to find the perfect fabric for you!

Production of softshell

The term "softshell" does not refer to a specific material, but to a type of fabric that was originally developed for jackets used by the police and military. After the jackets had established themselves in other professional fields where the highest quality standards are required in terms of occupational safety, the fabrics also found their way into private households. The market leaders have always been the companies Gore-Tex® and Sympatex® with their membrane fabrics.

Most softshell fabrics consist of three layers that are laminated together: A soft fleece, mesh or jersey on the inside, a climate membrane as a waterproof intermediate layer and an impregnated, hard-wearing fabric on the outside. The climate membrane is sometimes omitted in thinner softshells for summer jackets.

Important properties

A classic softshell is windproof, waterproof and breathable. They also have a water-repellent impregnation and are very cosy.

Thanks to the microfleece or mesh on the inside, the fabric already has a comfortable lining. With a fleece lining, the fabric has good warming and insulating properties.

The high air permeability and flexibility make the fabric ideal for outdoor and sports activities.

Inspiration for your next softshell sewing project:

Outdoor and functional clothing such as jackets, waistcoats and trousers
Children's clothing such as mud trousers or overalls
Bags, rucksacks or pouches
Animal clothing such as dog coats
Covers for cars, motorbikes, barbecues or bicycles

Care instructions

As the term softshell covers a variety of materials and compositions, special attention should be paid to the care instructions for each product. In general, it is important to wash the jacket as infrequently as possible in order to protect the material and the waterproofing as much as possible.

It is often sufficient to remove light soiling with a soft brush or damp cloth and allow the jacket to air for a few days.

If you still want to wash the fabric, we recommend ironing the outer fabric on a low heat to reactivate the waterproofing molecules.

Please place a cloth between the iron and the fabric. Alternatively, you can also put the fabric in the tumble dryer (low speed, medium temperature) after drying. If the impregnation can no longer be renewed with heat, it should be refreshed with an impregnation spray.

Gore-Tex® is the trade name of W. L. Gore & Associates.

Sympatex® is a registered trademark of Sympatex® Technologies GmbH.