Fjord Lab United States: Lightweight Hoodie Built on Polyester/Spandex Pique Knit
Fjord Lab, based in United States, needed a lightweight hoodie that delivered a soft brushed hand without moving away from a clean, commercial silhouette. The finished fabric was Polyester/Spandex Pique Knit.
Project brief and fabric selection
The fabric selected combines Pique Knit (textured double-knit surface) with PET with 12-20% elastane, giving durability with easy care. Construction is textured double-knit surface at 170-230 GSM. The brief also asked for plus air flow. Each lot was checked against handle panel assessment before cutting began.
Construction and fit decisions
Pattern and construction were adjusted around the chosen fabric: seam placement moved away from high-friction areas, stitch density was matched to the elastane content, and the fit block was revised once the first wear trial showed the panel tension distribution. The development brief set the outcome as panel scoring improved by two grades against the previous fabric.
Dyeing and finishing approach
Finishing was limited to processes that support a soft brushed hand. Soft handle came from construction rather than heavy softening, which keeps performance stable through repeated washing. Consistency between repeat lots mattered more to Fjord Lab than an isolated best result.
Measured results
Measured outcome: panel scoring improved by two grades against the previous fabric, verified by handle panel assessment. Size sets were checked after five home washes to confirm that dimensional change stayed inside the agreed tolerance before bulk release. Fabric Polyester/Spandex Pique Knit supplied the base behaviour for a soft brushed hand.
Repeat order performance
The style moved to repeat orders after two seasons. Bulk fabric is now booked against a fixed recipe, with test reports issued per lot, and the Pique Knit construction is used for additional colourways in the same programme. The United States market requires documentation, so reports shipped with every lot.
