ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece: The Complete Guide to Wazoodle's Stretchy Organic Fleece Fabric

What ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece Is and Why It Matters

ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece is a brushed knit fleece blending 90% certified organic cotton with 10% Lycra elastane, manufactured by AKAS Tex as part of the ProECO sustainable fabric collection. Unlike the 100% cotton ProECO Organic Cotton Fleece family (which provides 5% minimal stretch for absorbent applications), Stretch-FIT delivers 50% width and 40% length four-way stretch with shape recovery — engineered specifically for fitted garments and loungewear that need to move with the body without bagging out.

At 350 GSM and 0.076" thickness, the fabric provides warmth and substance through a single weight tier with three treatment variants: Standard, FoodSAFE (FDA-certified food contact), and Silver (antimicrobial odor control). Lycra Stretch-FIT Technology (shape recovery preventing bagging at knees, elbows, and seat areas) maintains garment fit through repeated wear-and-wash cycles, while ProECO SustainSafe (chemical-free manufacturing) and Ready-AbZORB (immediate absorbency activation) processing ensure the fabric is ready to use. All variants hold CPSIA certification, UPF 50+ sun protection, and Forever Chemicals-Free verification. Made in USA.

One critical constraint: like the 100% cotton ProECO Organic Cotton Fleece family, all Stretch-FIT Fleece variants carry a Class 2/3 flammability classification per 16 CFR Part 1610, which means this fabric is NOT recommended for exposed areas of children's sleepwear or diaper surfaces. It works in non-sleepwear apparel and as an inner layer.

Customers describe this as their "go-to" fabric, with high repeat purchase rates across multiple colors. Users specifically note the organic cotton feels like "REAL cotton" — a quality distinction from synthetic alternatives.

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 Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece Lineup

ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece includes three variants sharing the same 350 GSM weight, 0.076" thickness, and 50%/40% four-way stretch. Your decision is treatment type — whether you need standard organic cotton, FDA food-contact certification, or antimicrobial odor control.

Standard, FoodSAFE, and Silver Variants

W-413 ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece: The foundation variant. 90% organic cotton / 10% lycra, 350 GSM, 53–58" width, 0.076" thick, 50%/40% stretch, 8–10% shrinkage both directions. Ready-AbZORB (immediate absorbency) processed. The go-to for joggers, hoodies, sweatpants, bathrobes, and loungewear — the most versatile and cost-effective option.
W-326 ProECO FoodSAFE Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece: Same 350 GSM base with FDA food-contact certification per 21 CFR 177.1680 and 175.300. Tested stable from -20°C to 250°F across acidic and fatty foods. The only stretch cotton fleece certified for repeated-use food contact. For reusable food storage bags and bowl covers where stretch-fit conforming to containers is an advantage.
W-660 ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece Silver: Same 350 GSM base with Silver Plus (antimicrobial odor control) inhibiting bacterial growth through 50+ wash cycles. For activewear, children's apparel, and garments worn for extended periods between washes where freshness matters.

Key Concept: ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece is a different product family from ProECO Organic Cotton Fleece. The Stretch-FIT family uses 90/10 cotton/lycra for 50%/40% four-way stretch and is designed for fitted garments. The 100% cotton family provides only 5% minimal stretch and is designed for absorbent applications like cloth diapers and baby goods. They complement each other but are not interchangeable.

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

Choosing Your ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece: Treatment Type

All three ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece variants share the same 90/10 cotton/lycra blend, 350 GSM weight, 50%/40% stretch, and Lycra Stretch-FIT Technology (shape recovery). Your decision is purely about treatment capability.

When to Choose Each Treatment

Standard (W-413) — Choose for loungewear, activewear, and general garment construction where organic cotton stretch comfort is the priority. This is the variant customers repurchase in multiple colors for seasonal wardrobes — joggers, hoodies, sweatpants, and bathrobes.
FoodSAFE (W-326) — Choose when your product will contact food directly and the stretch-fit construction provides a functional advantage — bowl covers with elastic edges that conform to container sizes, or stretch-fit food storage wraps.
Silver (W-660) — Choose for activewear worn between washes, children's apparel where odor control extends wear cycles, and adaptive garments for users who need extended freshness. Silver Plus antimicrobial maintains effectiveness through 50+ washes with proper care.

All three variants require pre-washing before cutting — 8–10% shrinkage in both directions is significantly higher than the 100% cotton fleece family. This is non-negotiable for fitted garment construction.

For cross-family comparisons between ProECO Stretch-FIT Fleece and standard ProECO Organic Cotton Fleece, see the relevant Decision Framework articles.

Working With ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece: Sewing and Construction Guide

ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece is described by customers as "lovely to sew with" and "pleasant" on standard home machines, despite the four-way stretch construction. The key difference from working with the 100% cotton fleece family is managing stretch — both during construction and in pattern planning.

Cutting and Layout

Pre-wash is mandatory: Hot water wash, medium heat dry, cool completely before cutting. 8–10% shrinkage both directions will ruin fitted garments if not stabilized first. Test a sample piece to verify your batch's exact shrinkage.
Pile direction: Cut all pieces with brushed pile running the same direction — affects both appearance and hand feel.
Pattern ease: Account for 50%/40% stretch when planning — some ease reduction is possible compared to non-stretch patterns, but the fabric's recovery means it won't stretch out during wear.

Sewing Recommendations

Needle: Experienced makers recommend SCHMETZ stretch #75 for optimal stitch formation on this specific fabric. Size 90/14 stretch needle works for heavier seam intersections.
Thread: Polyester thread for stretch compatibility and hot-water laundering durability.
Stitch type: Stretch stitches or narrow zigzag — straight stitch will pop under extension. Serger or overlock finishing prevents the edge rolling common in knit fleece.
Feed management: Use a walking foot or reduce presser foot pressure to prevent stretch distortion during feeding. The fabric handles well but tension management matters for consistent seams.
Stabilization: Stay tape on shoulder seams and necklines prevents stretching during wear — critical for hoodies and pullover construction.

Pairing ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece With Other Wazoodle Fabrics

ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece is primarily a garment body fabric — the main panels of hoodies, joggers, sweatpants, and loungewear. The most important pairing is with coordinating Stretch-FIT Rib knits for cuffs, collars, and waistbands that match the stretch recovery and organic cotton hand feel.

Coordinating Rib Knits for Garment Construction

ProECO Organic Cotton Rib Stretch-FIT: Matching organic cotton/lycra rib for cuffs, collars, and waistbands on hoodies and joggers. The rib construction provides snug, recovery-matched banding that complements the fleece body panels.
ProECO Organic Cotton Rib Stretch-FIT Silver: Silver Plus antimicrobial rib for coordinated garments using W-660 Silver fleece — maintains consistent antimicrobial protection across body and trim.

Other Layer Partners

ProSoft 1 mil ECO-PUL: Waterproof barrier layer for absorbent applications where stretch-fit fleece serves as the soft inner layer.
ProCool Dri-QWick Jersey Mesh: Moisture-wicking inner layer for activewear builds where fleece is the outer insulation shell.
ProECO Organic Cotton Jersey or Interlock: Smooth lining layer when the brushed pile texture isn't desired against skin.

Your results may vary based on product design and construction.

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

Common Applications for ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece

ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece is most commonly used for loungewear, activewear, children's garments, and adaptive clothing. Customer reports reveal an exceptionally wide project range — one of the broadest application sets across the ProECO collection.

Joggers and sweatpants — The most popular application. Lycra Stretch-FIT Technology (shape recovery) prevents bagging at knees and seat areas through extended wear. Users report garments maintain fit through repeated wash-and-wear cycles.
Hoodies and pullovers — Pairs with ProECO Stretch-FIT Rib for cuffs, collars, and waistbands. Customers describe warmth as "not too warm, just right" for direct-skin comfort without overheating — suitable for extended indoor and transitional-season wear.
Children's garments — Specifically sought out for children's clothing, with grandchildren showing particular preference for garments made from this fabric. Organic certification and CPSIA compliance support commercial sales.
Adaptive and therapeutic garments — Proven practical for wheelchair users, with successful applications including lap blankets and head/neck wraps providing comfort and warmth. The four-way stretch enables pull-on garment designs for easy dressing.
Bathrobes and house socks — The stretch recovery maintains robe fit while the brushed pile provides spa-like softness. Makers report using remnants for house socks — minimizing waste while extending fabric value.
Henley shirts, hats, headbands, and neck wraps — The versatility extends to accessories and lighter garments, with customers purchasing in multiple colors for seasonal variety.
Reusable food storage (FoodSAFE variant) — Bowl covers with elastic edges that conform to container shapes, leveraging the stretch construction for adjustable sizing.

For complete project guides, see the relevant Application Discovery articles.

ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece Certifications

All ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece variants hold the same core safety certifications through ProECO SustainSafe (chemical-free manufacturing) processing. FoodSAFE adds FDA food-contact certification. These certifications support customers selling handmade garments commercially.

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
Flammability Class 2/3: Per 16 CFR Part 1610 — NOT recommended for exposed areas of children's sleepwear or diaper surfaces
FDA Food Contact (FoodSAFE W-326 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 Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece Care

ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece maintains its soft quality and stretch recovery through standard home laundering — customers report garments come out of the wash "beautiful" with softness preserved. The critical care difference from the 100% cotton fleece family is protecting the Lycra content from heat damage.

Washing

Wash hot water with standard detergent. Hot washing is safe for the organic cotton and activates full absorbency. Use an extra rinse cycle to prevent detergent buildup.

Pilling in fleece is normal — and intentional. Our fleece is manufactured without anti-pill chemical treatments. Anti-pill finishes use silicones, resins, or chemical crosslinkers that reduce breathability, compromise softness, and introduce environmental concerns — with effectiveness lasting only 5–30 washes. Some surface pilling is expected with wear and friction. Use a fabric shaver to restore the surface — never pull pills by hand, which damages the base fabric structure.

Drying

Tumble dry medium heat only. High heat above 150°F degrades Lycra elastic fibers permanently, reducing stretch recovery over time. This is the key care difference from 100% cotton ProECO fleece, which tolerates higher heat.

What to Avoid

Never use fabric softeners or dryer sheets — they permanently coat fibers and destroy absorbency. For Silver variants, fabric softeners also permanently destroy antimicrobial effectiveness. Never use chlorine bleach — it degrades both cotton and Lycra. Oxygen bleach is acceptable for all variants.

Pre-Wash Requirements

Pre-wash is mandatory before cutting — 8–10% shrinkage in both directions requires stabilization at your intended care temperature.

ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece Specifications

All three ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece variants share identical physical specifications — the only differences are treatment type and resulting functional capabilities. All use 90% organic cotton / 10% lycra construction with 50%/40% four-way stretch and 4.5 color fastness rating.

Variant	Weight	Thickness	Width	Shrinkage (W × L)	Treatment
W-413	350 GSM	0.076"	53–58"	8–10% × 8–10%	Standard
W-326	350 GSM	0.076"	53–58"	8–10% × 8–10%	FoodSAFE
W-660	350 GSM	0.076"	53–58"	8–10% × 8–10%	Silver

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