Cheer and Dance Fabric Guide: Which Fabric for Which Garment

Fabric choice is one of the most overlooked decisions in a custom cheer or dance order, and it affects fit, movement, durability, and how well a design prints or sews. As a factory that works with these fabrics every day, here is a practical breakdown of what we use for which garment, and why.

4-way stretch poly-spandex: our most-used fabric, built for sublimated competition uniforms and practice wear. It moves in every direction, holds vivid sublimated color, and recovers its shape after stunts and tumbling.

4-way stretch cotton-spandex: a softer, more breathable option for practice wear, where comfort during long training sessions matters more than competition-day shine.

4-way stretch poly mesh: used for leotards and uniform panels where a sheer or textured look is part of the design, while still keeping full stretch and recovery.

100% interlock polyester: used for non-stretch sublimated uniforms where a crisper, more structured shape is wanted over maximum flexibility.

Non-stretch poly tulle: the classic ballet fabric, used for skirts and overlays where volume and movement matter more than stretch.

100% cotton jersey and 100% terry: jersey is our go-to for team tees, while heavier terry suits heavyweight cotton tees that need to hold their shape wash after wash.

Wind-breaker fabric: used for sublimated warm-ups and tracksuits, light enough to wear over a uniform but wind and light rain resistant.

Fleece: our choice for sweatshirts, hoodies, and casual tracksuits, where warmth and softness matter more than athletic performance.

Wool: the traditional choice for varsity jackets, giving the structured, classic look teams expect from a letterman-style jacket.

Original calf or goat skin: used for leather jackets, premium varsity jackets, and accessories like fanny bags, backpacks, and duffle bags, where durability and a premium finish matter.

Not every decoration technique works on every fabric. Sublimation needs a polyester-based fabric to hold the dye properly, which is why our stretch poly-spandex and interlock polyester are the two most sublimated fabrics we use. Embroidery and appliqué work best on sturdier wovens like wool or cotton, where stitching has something firm to anchor into. Rhinestones can be applied to almost any fabric, but placement technique changes depending on how much the fabric stretches during wear. This is one of the reasons design and fabric choice happen together, not as two separate steps.