ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa: The Complete Guide to Wazoodle's Plush Organic Cotton Fabric

What ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece Is and Why It Matters

ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece is a heavy-weight pile knit manufactured by AKAS Tex, combining 90% certified organic cotton with 10% Lycra spandex to create deep, fluffy sherpa texture with engineered four-way stretch. At 400 GSM and 0.070" thick — the thickest and most insulating fabric in the entire ProECO collection — this construction features a raised pile face and smooth knit backing, creating two functionally different surfaces on a single fabric.

What makes Sherpa Fleece unique is stretch capability in a deep-pile insulating construction. Most sherpa fabrics are static insulation with zero stretch. ProECO Sherpa Fleece delivers 25% stretch in both directions through its 90/10 cotton/lycra ratio, enabling body-contour movement in applications traditionally limited to rigid warmth layers. Unlike the brushed, thinner ProECO Fleece family (used as garment body fabric), Sherpa Fleece serves primarily as insulating lining and warmth layers — jacket interiors, baby bunting bags, throw blankets, and pet bedding.

The family includes two variants — Standard and FoodSAFE (FDA-certified food contact). Both hold CPSIA certification, UPF 50+ sun protection, and Forever Chemicals-Free verification. ProECO SustainSafe (chemical-free manufacturing) and Ready-AbZORB (immediate absorbency activation) processing are standard. Made in USA.

Limited availability: ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece is available while current stock lasts. USA-based sherpa knit production is no longer possible, and this fabric will not be remanufactured once existing inventory is depleted.

For how Lycra Stretch-FIT Technology and ProECO SustainSafe work, see "What is Lycra Stretch-FIT Technology?" and "What is ProECO SustainSafe Technology?"

The Complete ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece Lineup

ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece includes two variants — identical in construction, differentiated by certification.

Sherpa Fleece — 400 GSM (0.070" Thick, 90/10 Cotton/Lycra)

W-423 ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece: The foundation variant. 400 GSM deep pile knit with 25%/25% four-way stretch, 56–58" width, 8–10% shrinkage both directions. Raised fluffy pile on one side, smooth knit backing on the reverse. For jacket linings, baby bunting bags, throw blankets, pet bedding, and activewear mid-layers where insulating warmth with stretch matters.
W-473 ProECO FoodSAFE Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece: Same 400 GSM construction with FDA food-contact certification per 21 CFR 177.1680 and 175.300. Tested stable from -20°C to 250°F. For insulated food storage applications, baby feeding products requiring warmth with food safety, and food-contact items where plush texture and thermal insulation are desired.

Key Concept — Two Functional Sides: ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece has a raised pile face (deep, fluffy texture that traps air for insulation) and a smooth knit backing (flat surface suitable for skin contact or as a sewing surface). This is fundamentally different from ProECO Fleece (brushed both sides) and Interlock (smooth both sides). When cutting, all pieces must have pile direction running the same way for consistent appearance and hand feel.

All fabric specifications may vary ±10% due to textile industry manufacturing standards.

Choosing Your ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece: Standard vs. FoodSAFE

Both ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece variants share identical construction — 400 GSM, 90/10 cotton/lycra, 25%/25% stretch, deep pile face with smooth backing. Your only decision is certification level.

Choose by Certification

Standard (W-423) — For jacket linings, baby products, blankets, pet bedding, and mid-layer insulation. CPSIA certified with Forever Chemicals-Free verification covers the vast majority of applications.
FoodSAFE (W-473) — For products that contact food directly. FDA certification is required for commercial food-contact product sales. Choose this when insulated food carriers, baby feeding products, or food storage items need documented food safety with plush thermal properties.

For cross-family comparisons between ProECO Sherpa Fleece and other ProECO constructions, see the relevant Decision Framework articles.

Working With ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece: Sewing and Construction Guide

ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece is the thickest fabric in the ProECO collection at 0.070" — which means managing pile bulk during cutting and sewing is the primary construction challenge. The deep pile face creates drag under the presser foot, and seam intersections become very thick.

Cutting and Layout

Pre-wash in hot water, dry medium heat before cutting — expect 8–10% shrinkage in both directions. This is the highest shrinkage in the ProECO collection. Test a small piece first to verify dimensional change for your batch.
Pile direction: Cut all pieces with pile running the same direction — stroke the surface to determine which way the pile lays. Inconsistent pile direction creates visible color/texture differences across the finished garment.
Sharp cutting tools: Deep pile requires sharp rotary cutter or shears. Cut from the backing (smooth) side to avoid catching pile fibers in the blade.
Width: Sherpa Fleece is 56–58" wide — narrower than most ProECO fabrics (typically 58–62"). Plan pattern layout accordingly.

Sewing Recommendations

Needle: Stretch needle, size 90/14 — essential for the 400 GSM pile construction with 10% Lycra content.
Feed management: Walking foot or dual-feed mechanism is required — pile bulk causes uneven feeding with a standard presser foot. Reduce presser foot pressure to prevent pile compression.
Stitch type: Stretch stitches required — Lycra content means straight stitches will pop when fabric extends. Polyester thread rated for heavy knits.
Seam bulk: Grade seam allowances at intersections. Trim pile from seam allowances before joining thick layers to reduce bulk.
Pressing: Press on the smooth backing side only. Never iron the pile face — direct heat flattens and damages the raised texture permanently.

Pairing ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece With Other Wazoodle Fabrics

ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece serves as an insulating lining layer rather than an exterior garment fabric. Its deep pile faces inward for warmth while the paired outer fabric provides structure and weather protection.

Outerwear and Warmth Builds

Jacket lining: Sherpa Fleece (pile facing body) lined inside ProECO Organic Cotton Twill or Stretch-FIT Heavy Jersey shell. The smooth knit backing bonds easily to the outer fabric while the pile provides insulation against the wearer's body.
Baby bunting and sleep sacks: Sherpa Fleece insulating interior with ProSoft ECO-PUL as a waterproof barrier layer for diaper protection.

Home and Pet Builds

Throw blankets: Sherpa Fleece as standalone — pile side up for plush surface, smooth backing underneath. The four-way stretch allows the blanket to drape and conform naturally.
Pet bedding: Sherpa Fleece pile surface for comfort with ProSoft ECO-PUL waterproof backing for accident protection. Hot-water washable for hygiene.

Your results may vary based on product design and construction.
For complete build guidance on specific projects, see the relevant Application Discovery articles.

Common Applications for ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece

ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece fills the insulation and plush warmth role in the ProECO collection — applications where deep pile texture and thermal properties matter more than surface structure or garment shaping.

Jacket linings and coat interiors — The primary application. Sherpa Fleece pile faces the body for warmth while the smooth backing bonds to the shell fabric. The 25%/25% stretch allows the lining to move with the wearer rather than restricting arm and torso movement.
Baby bunting bags and blankets — CPSIA certification with Forever Chemicals-Free verification supports chemical-free warmth for infants. The deep pile provides insulation while Ready-AbZORB processing means the fabric performs immediately without conditioning washes.
Throw blankets and home textiles — Standalone plush blankets leveraging the deep pile for comfort. Organic cotton breathability prevents the clammy feeling common with synthetic sherpa during extended use.
Pet bedding and blankets — Durable enough for frequent hot-water washing with cotton's natural absorbency handling pet accidents. The pile provides comfort while the stretch accommodates stuffing and bed construction.
Activewear mid-layers — The stretch capability distinguishes this from static sherpa constructions. Mid-layer vests and pullovers that move with the body rather than restricting athletic motion.
Insulated food products (FoodSAFE variant) — Insulated lunch carriers and food transport items where thermal insulation with FDA food-contact safety are both required.

For complete build guides for specific applications, see the relevant Application Discovery articles.

ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece Certifications

Both ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece variants hold the same core safety certifications through ProECO SustainSafe processing. The FoodSAFE variant adds FDA food-contact certification.

Safety Certifications and Chemical-Free Verifications

CPSIA Certified: Children's product safety compliance (lead, phthalates, BPA testing)
California Proposition 65 Compliant
EU REACH SVHC and RoHS 10 Compliant
UPF 50+: Blocks 98% UV radiation
Made in USA: EPA/OSHA manufacturing standards
US Cotton Trust Protocol: Verified sustainable organic cotton sourcing
FDA Food Contact (FoodSAFE variant only): Certified per 21 CFR 177.1680 and 175.300 for repeated-use food contact — tested stable from -20°C to 250°F across all food types
Forever Chemicals-Free: No PFAS, PFOS, PFOA, PTFE detected
BPA-Free, Phthalate-Free, Lead-Free: Tested per CPSIA standards
pH 7.4 (Neutral): No acidic or basic residues

Fabric vs. Finished Product: CPSIA certification of the fabric does not automatically certify your finished product. Finished children's products may require independent testing depending on your product category and sales channels.

For what these certifications require and mean for your products, see the relevant Features Discovery articles.

ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece Care

ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece follows the same Lycra-aware care principles as all Stretch-FIT families, with additional pile-specific considerations.

Washing

Wash hot water with standard detergent — hot washing is safe for the organic cotton and supports sanitation for baby and pet products. Turn items pile-side-in to reduce surface abrasion during the wash cycle.

Drying

Tumble dry medium heat only. High heat above 150°F degrades Lycra elastic fibers permanently, reducing the stretch recovery. Low heat or air drying extends Lycra lifespan further. Shake items after drying to restore pile loft.

What to Avoid

Never use fabric softeners or dryer sheets — they permanently coat fibers, destroying both absorbency and stretch performance. Never use chlorine bleach — it degrades both cotton and Lycra. Never iron the pile face — direct heat permanently flattens the raised texture. Oxygen bleach is acceptable for both variants. Press on the smooth backing side only.

Pre-Wash Requirements

Pre-wash is essential before cutting — expect 8–10% shrinkage in both directions. This is the highest shrinkage rate in the ProECO collection and significantly more than most Stretch-FIT families (typically 5–7%). Test a small piece first. Natural fiber knits continue shrinking incrementally through early washes, so plan patterns conservatively even after pre-washing.

ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece Specifications

Both ProECO Organic Cotton Sherpa Fleece variants share identical construction specifications. FoodSAFE adds FDA food-contact certification to the same base.

Variant	Weight	Thick	Fiber	Stretch (W×L)	Shrinkage	Width	Treatment
W-423	400 GSM	0.070"	90/10	25% × 25%	8–10% × 8–10%	56–58"	Standard
W-473	400 GSM	0.070"	90/10	25% × 25%	8–10% × 8–10%	56–58"	FoodSAFE

All fabric specifications may vary ±10% due to textile industry manufacturing standards.