From Nature to Motion: How Our Sustainable Activewear Is made
The Entire Story Behind Our Activewear
The Process
At Movement Made, creating activewear isn’t just about the finished product, it’s about every choice we make, from the fibers to the finishing touches.
Each piece reflects our commitment to sustainability, quality, and performance. By blending innovative techniques with traditional craftsmanship, we’ve designed activewear that supports your goals while protecting the planet.
Here’s a step-by-step look at how we do it.
Step 1: Choosing Sustainable Fibers
Our journey begins in sustainably managed forests, where fibers are extracted from wood pulp. These fibers are:
- Breathable and Soft: Delivering the comfort you expect from premium activewear.
- Biodegradable: Avoiding the use of plastics and petrochemical fibers, ensuring every piece leaves no lasting environmental footprint.
These fibers are spun into custom yarns and knitted into textiles with the exact properties we need for stretch, durability, and style.
Step 2: Knitting Textiles for Performance
With our custom yarns, we create textiles that balance:
- Breathability: Keeping you cool and comfortable during workouts.
- Softness: Offering a luxurious feel against your skin.
- Stretch and Durability: Designed to move with you while enduring years of wear.
These textiles form the foundation of every piece in our collection.
Step 3: Natural Dyeing: From Plants to Vibrant Fabrics
We believe every color should tell a story of sustainability and tradition. That’s why our activewear is dyed using natural, plant-based ingredients carefully sourced for their vibrancy, environmental impact, and cultural significance. Each ingredient plays a role in crafting the unique hues that define Movement Made.
Sourcing Ingredients
Our dyes begin with sustainable, natural materials sourced responsibly from farmers and food industry byproducts:
- Pomegranate Rind: Upcycled from the juice industry, it delivers shades of yellow and green with natural antimicrobial properties.
- Indigo Leaves: Sustainably grown, they produce rich, deep blues through traditional fermentation methods.
- Marigold Flowers: Cultivated alongside food crops, they add sunny yellows while promoting sustainable farming practices.
- Onion Peels: A food industry byproduct, they create earthy orange and brown tones, reducing waste.
- Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula): A cornerstone of Ayurvedic medicine, it provides muted grays and beiges with antimicrobial benefits.
- Turmeric: Known for its bright yellow hues, turmeric also offers antimicrobial properties.
Extracting Dyes
Transforming raw materials into vibrant, natural dyes involves:
- Preparation: Ingredients are cleaned, sorted, and prepared for dye extraction.
- Boiling and Soaking: Plant materials are either boiled or soaked to release their pigments, creating rich, natural dyes.
- Mordanting: Natural mordants like castor oil ash, inspired by traditional Indian recipes, ensure vibrant, long-lasting colors without toxic chemicals.
Dye Application
Once the dyes are ready, fabrics are carefully dyed in small batches:
- Immersion: Fabrics are immersed in dye baths, allowing pigments to penetrate the fibers evenly.
- Air-Drying: Dyed fabrics are air-dried to lock in colors and conserve energy.
- Water Recycling: Water from dye baths is filtered and reused, ensuring a sustainable, closed-loop system.
Every piece of Movement Made activewear carries a unique story, making no two garments exactly alike.
Step 4: Stitching for Strength and Flexibility
The stitching process combines sustainability and durability. We use:
- Tencel Lyocell Threads: A biodegradable, strong alternative to polyester thread.
- Reinforced Seams: Designed for stretchy performance and long-lasting wear, ensuring our clothes can handle even your toughest workouts.
Collaborating closely with skilled tailors and seamstresses, we ensure that every garment is as durable as it is comfortable.
Step 5: Prints and Embroidery
Every detail of our activewear aligns with our commitment to sustainability:
- Natural Inks: Prints on our logo T-shirts are made from castor oil ash, inspired by traditional recipes once used by Indian artisans for mascara.
- Tone-on-Tone Embroidery: Our performance tanks and T-shirts feature subtle embroidery that complements the natural hues of the fabric for a minimalist look.
Step 6: Final Assembly with Care
The final stage of production involves:
- Collaboration with Experts: Working with experienced tailors to ensure every piece meets our high standards.
- Attention to Detail: Each garment is inspected for quality, durability, and performance before it reaches you.
Why Our Activewear Stands Out
Every piece of Movement Made activewear is crafted with intention, reflecting our core values. Here’s what makes it different:
- Eco-Friendly Materials: From wood pulp fibers to natural dyes, we avoid synthetic chemicals and plastics keeping your skin healthy.
- Durability: Reinforced stitching and biodegradable threads ensure your activewear lasts longer.
- Thoughtful Design: Minimalist embroidery and natural hues bring understated style and comfort.
- Antibacterial Freshness: Plant-based dyes resist bacteria keeping you fresh.
A Choice for the Planet and Performance
By choosing Movement Made activewear, you’re supporting sustainability, innovation, and ethical craftsmanship. Each piece is a testament to our belief that performance gear can empower you while protecting the planet.