I founded my company, Havivah Mama, because when I became pregnant with my daughter I struggled to find clothes that were not only functional and beautiful, but also lived up to my values. At first, it felt like I had a million decisions to make. One of the most important decisions was finding a fabric that would be best for pregnant and nursing mothers.
I found myself going down my obsessive type-A researching personality rabbit hole. I tried to learn everything I could about different fabrics to find the perfect one for new and expectant mamas. Believe me when I say there are SO many fabrics out there, each with its own unique qualities and drawbacks.
I knew that I wanted a fabric that looked and felt beautiful. Something smooth and soft, with gorgeous drape, that would hold its color and not fade over time. I wanted my clothing to look STUNNING!
Fabric Strong Enough for Pregnant and Nursing Mothers
But I was creating clothing for REAL mamas! So the fabric also had to be strong and resilient. The fabric needed to be forgiving: new mom’s bodies go through tremendous changes along the motherhood journey. I wanted my clothes to stretch and bounce back to lovingly accommodate all of a mama’s changes. Wanting this fabric to be breastfeeding friendly also created another challenge: mamas tug their clothes in all different directions for nursing access. Thus, the clothes needed return to their beautiful shape after the nursing session is over.
I wanted fabric that wouldn’t stain or become crusty with breastmilk leaks or spills. It turns out some fabrics just don’t mesh well with breastmilk! And because babies are babies, toddlers are toddlers, and children are children, for obvious reasons, machine washable was a must. I wanted my mamas to enjoy the chaotic life and all the glorious messes that come along with it without worrying about their outfits!
Environmental Considerations Important
The environmental impact of my fabric choice was also important to me. Both in the production of the fabric and also its longevity. There is nothing like bringing a new life into the world to make us pay attention to the impact of our everyday choices. I wanted my clothes to contribute to a healthy future for the next generation. This is why it is part of Havivah Mama‘s mission is to use products that are not only luxurious but also sustainable. Because we’re not only caring for the world we’re currently living in, we need to care about the world our children, and our children’s children will inherit.
MicroModal Fabric Perfect for New and Expectant Mamas
I knew it was a tall order, but one fabric lived up to my long wish list: MicroModal. I truly believe that MicroModal is the perfect fabric for new and expectant mamas! It is not only a sustainable, luxurious fabric, but it is also durable, easy to care for and comfortable.
What is Micromodal Fabric?
MicroModal is a sustainable fiber that is derived from beech trees. These fibers are spun into a fine fabric that is silky soft and cooler and more resilient than cotton.
MicroModal Properties
Beyond its sustainability, MicroModal is simply a wonderful fabric for Mamas for so many reasons.
| Luxurious look and feel | Micromodal fibers are incredibly fine, and have the feel of silk with the softness of the most delicate cotton. It drapes beautifully on the body, has a bit of a sheen and resists wrinkling so it looks just as fabulous as it feels. |
| Durable | Micromodal may feel luxurious and delicate, but it is actually a workhorse fabric. It is very durable and long lasting, it doesn’t wear out as quickly or fade like cotton. |
| Keeps its fit | MicroModal is resistant to shrinkage so you don’t have to worry about your clothes not fitting after a wash. MicroModal also has very resilient particularly when made with a bit of Spandex for stretch so it moves with you and maintains its shape well over time. |
| Breathable | MicroModal doesn’t trap heat. It also wicks moisture away from the skin. These characteristics makes items made from MicroModal perfect for layering, wearing alone in hot weather, and in general during pregnancy or for anyone who tends to run hot! |
| Easy to care for | One thing I absolutely love about MicroModal fabric is that it has the feel and look of silk or much finer fabrics without the work! It is machine washable. It resists wrinkling so it will still look great even at the end of a long day. One consideration is high heat can damage the fabric, so it should be washed in cold water and ideally line dried (or dried on low settings). |
How is MicroModal Produced?
Producers of MicroModal grind up wood pulp from sustainably grown beech trees and purify the pulp into a fluffy cellulose solution. They then spin the solution to isolate the fibers, transform the fibers into filaments, and spin the filament into threads and finally yarn. This process occurs in Europe. The European producers ship the yarn to the United States where our textile manufacturer weaves the yarn into the fabrics our seamstresses use to create Havivah Mama’s clothing collection.
Why is MicroModal a Sustainable Fabric?
Havivah Mama’s U.S.-based textile manufacturer uses only MicroModal fibers from Lenzing, a company known for their commitment to sustainable fiber production. Lenzing creates the MicroModal fibers using beech wood sourced from suppliers that use sustainable forestry practices as certified by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). Lenzing produces MicroModal in Europe using what is known as a closed loop manufacturing process. This means that all of Lenzing’s production occurs in one location and Lenzing recovers and recycles up to 95% of the chemicals and materials used in the process.
Longevity = Sustainability
MicroModal is not a “fast fashion” fabric. It is a resilient fabric that has a long life. When you invest in a piece made from MicroModal it will stay beautiful and functional for years with proper care. This longevity means mamas need fewer replacement garments, saving energy and resources and taking pressure off the landfills from discarded clothing.
