ProECO Bamboo French Terry: The Complete Guide to Wazoodle's Bamboo French Terry Fabric

What ProECO Bamboo French Terry Is and Why It Matters

ProECO Bamboo French Terry is a knit fabric manufactured by AKAS Tex, combining 70% bamboo viscose with 30% organic cotton in a French terry construction — smooth jersey face on one side, uncut horizontal loops on the reverse. Available across three weight tiers — 300 GSM (Standard), 400 GSM (Heavy), and 500 GSM (Super Heavy) — this family shares the same fiber blend and weight tiers as ProECO Bamboo Fleece but delivers a fundamentally different construction and surface character.

The difference is construction, not fiber. Bamboo Fleece has brushed pile surfaces creating plush, fuzzy texture for maximum softness — best as absorbent inner layers in diapers and pads. Bamboo French Terry has a smooth, clean jersey face with structured loops on the reverse — better for dual-purpose applications where one side needs to look finished (garments, towels, robes) while the other side absorbs moisture through its loop structure. French Terry is also thinner and denser at every weight tier despite the same GSM — packing the same mass into a slimmer profile that resists pilling better than brushed surfaces.

Ready-AbZORB processing activates full absorbency immediately without conditioning washes. Like Bamboo Fleece, this family contains no Lycra — stretch comes from knit construction only (5% both directions across all tiers), making these stable, low-stretch fabrics.

The family includes six variants across three weight tiers, each available in Standard and Silver (antimicrobial odor control). All hold CPSIA certification, UPF 50+ sun protection, and Forever Chemicals-Free verification. ProECO SustainSafe chemical-free fabric manufacturing and Ready-AbZORB processing are standard. Made in USA.

For how ProECO SustainSafe and Ready-AbZORB work, see "What is ProECO SustainSafe Technology?" and "What is Ready-AbZORB Technology?"

The Complete ProECO Bamboo French Terry Lineup

ProECO Bamboo French Terry includes six variants across three weight tiers — Standard (300 GSM), Heavy (400 GSM), and Super Heavy (500 GSM) — each available with or without Silver Plus antimicrobial treatment. All tiers arrive in tubular form and measure 60–66" when cut open.

Standard Bamboo French Terry — 300 GSM (0.037" Thick, 70/30 Bamboo Viscose/Organic Cotton)

W-256 ProECO Bamboo French Terry: The foundation variant. 300 GSM with 5%/5% stretch, 60–64" width cut open. Smooth jersey face with uncut loops on reverse. Customers describe the hand feel as "luscious" — thick enough to require sharp scissors for clean cutting. For baby burp cloths, bathrobes, washcloths, steam mop covers, and kitchen towels where absorbency with a clean finished face matters. Pre-wash for 3–4% width and 9–10% length shrinkage.
W-519 ProECO Bamboo French Terry Silver: Same 300 GSM construction with Silver Plus antimicrobial — 99.9% effectiveness through 50+ wash cycles. Adds odor control for nursing pads, menstrual products, and athletic loungewear where freshness between washes matters.

Heavy Bamboo French Terry — 400 GSM (0.043" Thick, 70/30 Bamboo Viscose/Organic Cotton)

W-250 ProECO Heavy Bamboo French Terry: The mid-weight option. 400 GSM with 5%/5% stretch, 60–64" width cut open. Customer-validated for cloth diapers (especially heavy wetters), lint-free bath towels, baby blankets, and stuffed dolls where the extra thickness creates a softer, more filled-out appearance. Symmetric 4–5% shrinkage both directions simplifies pattern planning. Bamboo viscose loses 30–50% strength when wet — handle gently during washing.
W-249 ProECO Heavy Bamboo French Terry Silver: Same 400 GSM construction with Silver Plus antimicrobial — 99.9% effectiveness through 50+ wash cycles. For athletic wear, cloth diaper covers, and baby clothing where odor control during extended wear matters.

Super Heavy Bamboo French Terry — 500 GSM (0.051" Thick, 70/30 Bamboo Viscose/Organic Cotton)

W-236 ProECO Super Heavy Bamboo French Terry: Maximum weight at 500 GSM. Despite the super heavy classification, customers describe the fabric as thin relative to its weight — dense fiber packing rather than bulky construction. Customers call it the "best fabric for absorbent dish towel ever." Also validated for sweatshirts, hoodies, robes, and baby blankets. May challenge home sewing machines — test a sample first.
W-517 ProECO Super Heavy Bamboo French Terry Silver: Same 500 GSM construction with Silver Plus antimicrobial. For sweatshirts and hooded robes where odor control extends wear time between laundering. Customers regard it as a versatile utility fabric worth keeping in inventory.

Key Concept — Two Functional Sides: Every ProECO Bamboo French Terry variant has a smooth jersey face (clean, finished appearance for garment exteriors and towel surfaces) and an uncut loop reverse (structured channels that wick moisture away from skin and distribute it for evaporation). Orient the loop side toward the moisture source — facing the body in robes and athletic wear, facing the counter in dish towels. This dual-surface construction is what separates French Terry from Fleece, which has brushed pile on both sides optimized purely for softness and absorption.

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

Choosing Your ProECO Bamboo French Terry: Weight Tier and Treatment

ProECO Bamboo French Terry decisions happen on two axes — weight tier (capacity and structure) and treatment (Standard vs. Silver antimicrobial).

Choose by Weight Tier

Standard 300 GSM (W-256 / W-519): Thinnest profile at 0.037" — for burp cloths, washcloths, nursing pads, bathrobes, and steam mop covers where bulk must stay minimal. Note: asymmetric shrinkage — 3–4% width but 9–10% length.
Heavy 400 GSM (W-250 / W-249): Mid-weight balance — substantial enough for cloth diapers (validated for heavy wetters), bath towels, baby blankets, and stuffed dolls. Symmetric 4–5% shrinkage both directions. Bamboo viscose loses 30–50% strength when wet.
Super Heavy 500 GSM (W-236 / W-517): Maximum capacity and structure — for dish towels, sweatshirts, hoodies, and robes. Dense construction feels thinner than its weight suggests. May require heavy-duty sewing equipment.

Choose by Treatment

Standard — For general absorbent and garment applications where antimicrobial protection isn't needed. Most cost-effective option.
Silver — For applications where odor control extends useful wear time between washes: athletic wear, cloth diapers, nursing pads, and loungewear.

Shrinkage varies by tier: Standard 300 GSM shrinks dramatically more in length (9–10%) than width (3–4%). Heavy 400 GSM shrinks symmetrically (4–5% both). Super Heavy 500 GSM falls between (3–5% width, 6–8% length). Always pre-wash and measure your specific tier before cutting.

For cross-family comparisons between ProECO Bamboo French Terry and other ProECO constructions, see the relevant Decision Framework articles.

Working With ProECO Bamboo French Terry: Sewing and Construction Guide

ProECO Bamboo French Terry is a low-stretch natural fiber knit with two distinct sides — which affects how you orient, cut, and sew every piece.

Cutting and Layout

Pre-wash in hot water, dry medium heat before cutting — shrinkage varies significantly by tier (see Choosing section above). Test a small piece first, especially for the Standard tier's asymmetric 9–10% length shrinkage.
Tubular format: Fabric arrives as a tube (30–33" tubular). Cut open along one fold for flat yardage — this may surprise first-time buyers expecting flat fabric.
Side orientation: Mark your chosen face clearly. Smooth jersey side for garment exterior; loop side toward the moisture source. French terry loops catch on rough surfaces — handle carefully during layout.
Sharp scissors required: Customers emphasize that quality, sharp scissors or rotary cutter are essential — the dense construction resists dull blades.

Sewing Recommendations

Needle: Ballpoint or stretch needle, size 80/12 for Standard tier, 90/14 for Heavy and Super Heavy.
Stitch type: Straight stitch or narrow zigzag — the low 5% stretch doesn't require extensive stretch stitching. Serge raw edges to prevent unraveling of the cut knit structure.
Machine capacity: Super Heavy 500 GSM may challenge home machines — test a sample through your machine before committing to a full project.
Loop protection: Turn items inside-out during sewing when possible to protect the loop structure from feed dogs. Also turn inside-out during washing to prevent loop snagging on Velcro or rough surfaces.
Pattern adjustment: 5% stretch across all tiers. If substituting for polyester French terry in a pattern, adjust ease allowances — designs relying on higher stretch recovery will not work.

Common Applications for ProECO Bamboo French Terry

ProECO Bamboo French Terry serves applications where the smooth jersey face provides a clean finished appearance while the loop reverse handles moisture — bridging garment construction and absorbent product categories.

Kitchen towels and dish drying mats — The dominant Super Heavy application. Customers call it the "best fabric for absorbent dish towel ever." The loop side absorbs while the smooth face provides a clean look on the counter or towel bar. Repeat buyers describe it as "a very useful fabric to have around."
Bathrobes and hair wraps — Standard 300 GSM provides absorbency without excessive bulk for post-bath wear. Loop side faces the body for moisture wicking; smooth face creates a finished exterior.
Cloth diapers and inserts — Heavy 400 GSM validated for heavy wetters in professional diaper production. Commercial sewers note the ready-to-use nature justifies the price because preparation time directly impacts production costs.
Baby burp cloths, bibs, and washcloths — Standard 300 GSM. Customers make figure-8 shaped burp cloths and report six large cloths from a single order with fabric remaining.
Loungewear and sweatshirts — Super Heavy 500 GSM provides structure for hoodies and robes with the loop interior wicking moisture during wear. Silver variants add odor control for athletic warm-up wear.
Reusable household items — Steam mop covers, facial cleansing pads, and "unpaper" towels replacing disposables. The lint-free French terry loop structure outperforms double-loop terry for applications where fiber shedding is undesirable.
Period underwear and nursing pads — Customer-validated for intimate absorbent applications. Silver variants add antimicrobial freshness between washes.
Stuffed dolls and soft toys — Heavy 400 GSM's thickness creates a softer, more filled-out appearance in finished dolls compared to standard-weight fabrics.

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

Pairing ProECO Bamboo French Terry With Other Wazoodle Fabrics

ProECO Bamboo French Terry pairs with waterproof barriers for absorbent products and with trim fabrics for garment construction.

Absorbent Product Builds

Cloth diapers: Bamboo French Terry absorbent layer with ProSoft ECO-PUL waterproof shell. Heavy 400 GSM for daytime; Super Heavy 500 GSM for overnight capacity.
Menstrual and nursing pads: Bamboo French Terry loop side toward skin for wicking, with ProSoft ECO-PUL moisture barrier backing.

Garment and Home Builds

Sweatshirts and hoodies: Super Heavy Bamboo French Terry as garment body with ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Rib trim at cuffs and waistbands.
Bath towels: Bamboo French Terry standalone — lint-free alternative to double-loop terry. Loop side for drying contact; smooth face as finished exterior.

Your results may vary based on product design and construction.

For complete build guidance on specific projects, see the relevant Application Discovery articles.

ProECO Bamboo French Terry Certifications

All six ProECO Bamboo French Terry variants hold the same core safety certifications through ProECO SustainSafe processing — covering the fabric manufacturing stage (knitting, finishing) under chemical-free, USA-based EPA/OSHA standards. Silver variants add Silver Plus antimicrobial treatment.

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 (30% cotton content)
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
Color Fastness 4.5: Exceeds standard 3–4 rating

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 Bamboo French Terry Care

ProECO Bamboo French Terry does not contain Lycra — which simplifies heat management compared to Stretch-FIT families. However, bamboo viscose loses 30–50% strength when wet, requiring gentler handling during washing than pure cotton fabrics.

Washing

Wash hot water with standard detergent — hot washing supports sanitation for baby products, diapers, and kitchen towels. For Silver variants, use zero-residue detergent with an extra rinse cycle to preserve antimicrobial longevity. Adequate rinsing prevents detergent buildup that reduces absorbency over time. Handle gently when wet — avoid wringing or twisting.

Drying

Tumble dry medium heat. Avoid high heat which can damage bamboo viscose fibers. Hot iron is acceptable on the smooth jersey face if needed.

What to Avoid

Never use fabric softeners or dryer sheets — they permanently coat fibers, destroying absorbency (can lose 50%+ capacity). For Silver variants, fabric softeners also permanently destroy antimicrobial effectiveness. Never use chlorine bleach — it degrades bamboo viscose. Oxygen bleach is acceptable for both Standard and Silver variants.

Pre-Wash Requirements

Pre-wash is essential before cutting — but shrinkage varies significantly by weight tier. Standard tier: 3–4% width, 9–10% length (the highest asymmetric shrinkage in the ProECO bamboo collection). Heavy tier: 4–5% both directions (symmetric). Super Heavy tier: 3–5% width, 6–8% length. Always test a small piece from your specific tier before pre-washing full yardage.

ProECO Bamboo French Terry Specifications

All six ProECO Bamboo French Terry variants share the same 70/30 bamboo viscose/organic cotton blend and 5%/5% stretch. Weight tier determines GSM, thickness, and shrinkage behavior.

Variant	Weight	Thick	Stretch (W×L)	Shrinkage (W×L)	Treatment
W-256	300 GSM	0.037"	5% × 5%	3–4% × 9–10%	Standard
W-519	300 GSM	0.037"	5% × 5%	3–4% × 9–10%	Silver
W-250	400 GSM	0.043"	5% × 5%	4–5% × 4–5%	Standard
W-249	400 GSM	0.043"	5% × 5%	4–5% × 4–5%	Silver
W-236	500 GSM	0.051"	5% × 5%	3–5% × 6–8%	Standard
W-517	500 GSM	0.051"	5% × 5%	3–5% × 6–8%	Silver

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