Our Fabrics
In this article:
Nest Designs oh-so-soft, eco-friendly fabrics are sourced and made in a way that’s gentle for both your family and the planet. By carefully selecting natural fabrics that excel in all the areas that matter most, our materials do good without compromising on quality or your child's health and comfort.
Why Choose Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Fabrics?
As a parent, you want to choose the best products for your little one so you can worry less and enjoy more.
The Difference Between Sustainable Fabrics and Non-Organic Clothing
Sustainable and eco-friendly materials offer incomparable benefits over non-organic clothing. First and foremost is the feel: high-quality natural fabrics are soft, soothing, and gentle on the most sensitive skin.
Nest Designs also knows the difference quality sleepwear makes on a little one's slumber. When your baby is comfortable, they sleep better and organic fabrics play a significant role in making this happen!
Fabric Certifications at Nest Designs
Our fabrics meet specific criteria and have the following certifications to ensure the safest and healthiest quality for your little one:
• ECO CERT: Verifies our environmentally friendly practices and organic standards.
• Supplemental Type Certificates (STC): Tests the quality and performance of our materials.
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): Assures that the forests where we source our fabrics are managed responsibly.
• OEKO: Aims to verify the safety of the products and their production methods for health and the environment.
• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): Ensures the organic status of our cotton fabric using the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres.
• Antibacterial Activity Testing: Evaluates the antibacterial properties of textiles over 24 hours of contact.
Our 6 Key Fabric Features
At Nest Designs, we hold ourselves and the fabrics we choose to a high standard because we care about your babies like we care for our own children. We aim to provide you with the best for your little ones, so we prioritize high-quality, eco-friendly fabrics. Here are the six factors we use to evaluate all our fabrics:
1. Sustainability
Being eco-conscious is always at the top of our minds because we want to contribute to a healthier planet for future generations. That's why we value materials that are sustainably grown, harvested, and processed. We look for fabrics made using natural processing methods, less water and energy, and a small carbon footprint.
2. Softness
Your baby's skin is soft, snuggly, and delicate; anything that touches their skin should be just as gentle. Our cozy fabrics have buttery softness and the perfect amount of squish that will make your baby feel like they're wrapped in a loving hug.
3. Antibacterial
Your little one is constantly exposed to germs; an antibacterial fabric prevents the growth of any odor-causing bacteria on contact, such as sweat. The material also stays fresher longer and keeps your baby comfortable throughout the day and night.
4. Best for Sensitive Skin
Your little bubs needs a gentle fabric on their sensitive skin—especially if they're a newborn. Natural fibres are excellent for sensitive skin, and at Nest Designs, we look for eco-friendly, ever-so-soft, hypoallergenic, breathable, and antibacterial fabrics. By focusing on skin-friendly fabrics, we take the guesswork out of which materials are best for your little one.
5. Breathability
Babies aren't able to regulate their temperatures like adults. A breathable fabric allows air to flow through, helping to regulate their temperature and keep their skin cool and comfortable. This quality also helps reduce the risk of skin irritation and allows sweat to evaporate, maintaining your baby’s comfort and well-being.
6. Overall Durability
Nest Designs' products are made to last and be passed from child to child as part of our sustainability commitment. Between selecting premium fabrics that move with your child through sleep and play, we create beautiful outfits and sleep products designed to stand the test of time.
Types of Sustainable Fabrics in Nest Designs Products
We handpick each and every one of our premium eco-friendly materials—and they’re all as comfortable as a lullaby at bedtime. Read more about our materials and find out which ones are best for your family.
Bamboo
To stay green, we choose bamboo for its sustainability, softness, and benefits to your kiddo. Have you seen how fast bamboo grows? This plant doesn’t need much care to get bigger and self-propagate! The material is breathable, moisture-wicking, thermal regulating, and quick drying. Bamboo is also naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic, making little ones with sensitive skin much more comfortable.
Nest Designs bamboo products also come in different weaves and are blended with other sustainable fabrics to give you and your little one more options, like bamboo muslin, bamboo cotton, and bamboo jersey. (Learn how to wash bamboo clothing.)
Some of our favourite bamboo products include:
• Bamboo Sleep Suits
• Bamboo Fitted Crib Sheets
• Bamboo Basics Collection
100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton
Soft and comfy fabrics are perfect for little ones, and GOTS-certified organic cotton is a top choice. This natural fiber keeps babies cool in heat and warm in cold, without harmful chemicals or GMOs. GOTS certification means it's produced sustainably with less water, energy, and lower carbon emissions. Our GOTS organic cotton is gentle on baby’s skin and hypoallergenic.
We also use Pima cotton for its plushness and softness, making it ideal for sensitive skin. Its long fibers increase thread count, making it cozy, durable, and absorbent for active babies.
Some of our favourite GOTS Certified Organic Cotton products include:
• Swaddle Sleep Bag 1.0 TOG (Organic Cotton)
• Waterproof Change Pads (Organic Cotton)
• 9-Layer Hooded Baby Bath Towel (Organic Cotton)
French Terry
This 100% cotton fabric has all the benefits and fresh feel of cotton. It’s woven with small loops on one side and plush piles of yarn on the other—the piles line the inside of our French Terry garments for a soft and cozy feel against the skin. This knit fabric is similar to jersey and is naturally moisture-wicking and absorbent, keeping your little love cool and dry.
French Terry is a mid-weight material, so it’s lighter than a sweatshirt but heavier than a typical t-shirt fabric, making it work well by itself or as a layer. A versatile and luxurious fabric, French Terry offers a bit of stretch, making it a comfortable material that moves with your little one.
Some of our favourite French Terry products include:
• Basics Long Sleeve Romper (French Terry)
• Baby Bandana Bib (Bamboo and Terry Cotton, 2 Pack)
• Women's Basics Organic Terry Oversized Sweatshirt
Sorona®️
Sorona fill insulates many of our sleep bags and sleep suits to keep your little bubs nice and toasty. Sorona is a woven material partially made of plant-based ingredients. It’s soft, flexible, and has stain-resistant properties; it’s sure to keep up with your little one. This fabric stretches with movement but keeps its form even after going through the wash. Sorona fill has a low water absorption rate, but it’s breathable and dries quickly if it gets wet.
Some of our favourite Sorona-filled products include:
• Raglan Long Sleeve Sleep Bag 2.5 TOG (Bamboo)
• Toddler Pillow and Pillowcase (Bamboo Jersey, Medium)
• Sorona Fill Duvet (Crib)
Tanboocel™
Made from bamboo fibre, Tanboocel is a soft and smooth material that’s gentle on baby’s skin and better for the planet. Tanboocel is produced through specialized pulping and spinning methods that increase the fabric’s durability. In manufacturing, the fibres interlace with micro gaps, which aid in ventilation—making the material feel cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Beyond its cozy feel, Tanboocel offers the benefits of being naturally antibacterial, fine hygroscopic and permeable, and UV-proof.
Some of our favourite Tanboocel products include:
• Basics Tanboocel Mock Neck Long Sleeve Shirt
• Basics Tanboocel Winter Pants
• Women's Basics Tanboocel PJ Set
Avocado Bamboo
Our Nest Designs Signature Avo fabric uses an exclusive blend of avocado, bamboo, and cotton fibres. The benefits of avocado, combined with the antibacterial performance of bamboo and the cozy feel of cotton, make your little bub stay comfy at home and on the go.
Avocado fibre comes from cellulosic materials (they provide plant structure) and is enhanced with soothing, nutrient-rich avocado oil. Natural amino acids from the avocado help maintain moisture levels and create an unbelievably smooth fabric.
Some of our favourite avocado bamboo products include:
• Long Sleeve Footed Sleep Bag 1.0 TOG (Avocado Bamboo)
• Long Sleeve PJ Set (Avocado Bamboo)
• Bamboo Jersey Short Sleeve Romper
Below is a handy scorecard that helps break down our fabrics by our six feature factors:
| Fabric | Sustainability | Softness | Antibacterial | Hypoallergenic | Breathability | Overall Durability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bamboo Muslin | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 6 |
Pima Cotton | 8 | 8 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 8 | 7.5 |
GOTS Organic Cotton | 9 | 7 | 6.5 | 9 | 7 | 8 |
Avocado Bamboo | 7 | 9.5 | 8 | 9 | 8.5 | 8 |
Bamboo Jersey | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8.5 | 7.5 |
Sorona | 7.5 | 7 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 8 | 8 |
Tanboocel | 8.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 8 |
Bamboo Cotton | 8 | 9 | 8.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 8 |
French Terry | 8 | 7.5 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8.5 |
Silk | 8 | 9 | 8.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 7 |
The Best Sustainable Fabrics for Your Unique Little One
By carefully selecting natural fabrics that excel in all the areas that matter most to you and your baby, our materials do good without compromising on quality or your child's health and comfort. Here are our top picks for any situation:
1. Best Sustainable Fabrics for Baby Sleep
Choose: Organic Cotton and/or Bamboo
Organic cotton and bamboo stand out as the top choices for baby sleepwear. These natural materials feel incredibly soft against your baby's delicate skin. They are also breathable and moisture-wicking, helping regulate your little love’s body temperature and keep them comfortable as they snooze.
2. Best Sustainable Fabrics for Breathability
Choose: Bamboo, Sorona, and/or Avocado Bamboo
Most organic fabrics offer breathability. At Nest Designs, our bamboo blends, sorona, and avocado bamboo are best for air circulation, which helps regulate temperature and moisture, keeping your little one comfortable in any season. These organic fabrics promote comfort for your baby and provide you with peace of mind, knowing that your child is neither too hot nor too cold.
3. Best Sustainable Fabrics for Temperature Regulation
Choose: Tanboocel and/or Organic Cotton
Tanboocel and organic cotton help your baby regulate their temperature. A sub-type of bamboo, Tanboocel adapts to your child's body temperature to keep them warm in cold weather and cool when it's warm. It also wicks away moisture while retaining heat, ensuring your baby stays cozy all night long. Organic cotton, on the other hand, is a versatile choice that excels in maintaining a balanced temperature no matter the season.
4. Best Sustainable Fabrics for Sensitive Skin
Choose: Organic Cotton and/or Avocado Bamboo
GOTS-certified organic cotton and avocado bamboo are the best fabrics for littles with sensitive skin. Organic cotton is exceptionally gentle and a hypoallergenic choice for delicate skin. Its soft and breathable texture reduces the risk of irritation or allergic reactions, ensuring your baby's comfort. Avocado bamboo, known for its silky smoothness, is also an excellent option for sensitive skin. It's naturally hypoallergenic, offering a soothing touch to your baby.
5. Best Sustainable Fabrics That Are Naturally Antibacterial
Choose: Bamboo
Bamboo fabric and blends have inherent antimicrobial properties. This natural attribute helps prevent the growth of bacteria and odor-causing microbes, keeping your little bubs’ clothing fresh and hygienic.
6. Best Sustainable Fabrics for Durability
Choose: French terry
French terry is an excellent option for long-lasting wear. This fabric is characterised by its looped, unbrushed interior, which provides extra insulation and adds to its durability. French terry can withstand the rough and tumble of a child's active lifestyle while maintaining its shape and integrity.
Ready to Shop?
From the softest and most hypoallergenic options for sensitive skin to naturally antibacterial and highly durable choices, our curated selection of premium organic fabrics ensures your baby's comfort, safety, and quality with every product.