My hair is actually a pretty good example. However, given half the chance, that cotton will want to return to its natural state. Tension is applied to it as it is stretched, knitted and woven into the cloth. To make the knitted, flat fabric that I turn unto the leggings you love, that natural curly fibre needs to be stretched out. In it’s natural state, cotton is a fluffy ball that grows on a plant. Cotton is a natural fibre, and like all natural fibres – wool, silk and cotton - it will shrink when it mixes with heat. The usual fabric content is 95% cotton and 5% elastane. The clothes I make are made from fabric that is a mix of cotton and elastane. Why does this happen? What makes them shrink on that first wash? Not only with our clothes but with our children’s clothing. It’s annoying and frustrating, yet it happens time and time again. You buy a nice new t-shirt, wear it, wash it and then when you come to wear it again it’s too small. Looking after our clothing properly prolongs its life cycle – it is wearable for longer, can be passed onto friends or family, or even resold. We might as well get this question out the way early on.the simple answer is like every other garment you own that contains cotton, our leggings will shrink a bit on the first wash.īut (there is always a but isn’t there?!) if you look after them properly then they won't be noticeably smaller and they shouldn't be unwearable after one wash.