“Soft cotton” is a starting point, but it is not a complete fabric specification. Describe the intended garment and season, then compare material samples against measurable requirements.
Begin with the garment and use
A lightweight summer set and a warmer lounge set have different requirements. Tell us whether you are developing a short-sleeve set, long-sleeve pajamas, an infant romper or another style. Include the target customer, destination and intended season. This gives the fabric discussion a practical starting point without assuming that one material suits every age or use.
Five details to put in the brief
| Detail | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Composition | Fiber names and percentages for the exact fabric. |
| Construction | For example, jersey, interlock or rib; confirm with a sample. |
| Weight | Grams per square metre (gsm), if supplied or measured. |
| Stretch | Stretch direction, feel and recovery requirements. |
| Finish | Surface feel, printing method and any agreed treatment. |
Composition, construction and weight describe different things. Two fabrics with the same fiber percentages can feel different because their knit, thickness and finish differ. Higher gsm means more mass per unit area; it does not by itself prove better quality or suitability.
Separate the layers
For a lined or padded garment, request separate information for the outer fabric, lining and filling. Do not apply an outer-fabric percentage to the whole product. If gsm or a layer composition is not available, leave it unconfirmed and ask for clarification. A photograph cannot reliably provide those values.
Compare a physical material sample
Review hand feel, opacity, stretch and drape alongside the intended fit. If shrinkage, colorfastness, pilling or print durability affects your buying decision, agree how it will be assessed and which result is acceptable before placing the order. Record the approved material reference so later changes can be identified.
Confirm requirements for the destination
Children’s sleepwear requirements depend on the destination and product design. Identify the applicable requirements with qualified market or testing advice, then ask what product-specific evidence and testing need to be arranged. A fiber name, supplier description or concept image does not establish certification or compliance.
A useful fabric request
Send the garment type, intended season, desired composition or material reference, approximate weight if known, stretch preference, artwork and wash expectations. Mark unknown details as “please advise.” We can discuss sourcing options against your brief and review them through paid sample development.