Stretch Fabrics: Features, Benefits and Processing
When aiming for a more fitted silhouette, such as with skinny or body-hugging styles, it’s common to use fabrics that are not made of 100% cotton.
Specifically, the addition of a small percentage of elastane to the fabric composition allows the garment to adapt better to the body, ensuring enhanced comfort and a defined fit.
How Stretch Fabric Works
This type of fabric requires greater attention during the prototype development phase. The presence of elastic fibers affects the fabric’s behavior during manufacturing and can result in dimensional changes after washing.
That’s why it’s essential to perform extensive testing to ensure the final garment meets the expected fit criteria.
A particularly important factor to consider is shrinkage. Fabrics with elastane percentages (2%, 5%, or even 10%) tend to shrink more during washing compared to pure cotton fabrics.
For this reason, every fabric roll arriving at Fun Factory Mode undergoes specific testing to measure shrinkage—called a “shrink test.” This is crucial to guarantee that the garment maintains its shape and size over time, even after multiple washes.
Elastane in Denim
The elastane percentage varies depending on the garment type and required fit. A 1–2% presence typically provides mild elasticity, ideal for comfortable but not overly tight garments.
Higher percentages, such as 5% or more, are used for garments needing more flexibility and tightness, like leggings or shaping pants. Another key factor is fabric density, which also influences the amount of elastane needed.
Stretch Fibers from Recycled Polyester
In addition to traditional elastane, there are stretch fibers made from recycled polyester—a sustainable option that significantly reduces environmental impact.
This material is mainly derived from PET bottles and other plastic waste, reducing the need for virgin resources and giving new life to existing materials.
Since polyester accounts for more than half of all textile fibers worldwide, replacing it with its recycled counterpart is an effective way to reduce fossil fuel usage.
In terms of quality, recycled and virgin polyester appear identical, but the former requires 59% less energy to produce and cuts CO₂ emissions by 79%.
Where to Find Stretch Fabrics
Non-100% cotton fabrics are widely used in many clothing categories, including stretch jeans, skinny pants, fitted t-shirts, dresses, and activewear.
In these cases, elastic fibers allow the garment to move with the body, improving fit without compromising appearance.
Through careful analysis of fabric properties and targeted processing, it’s possible to anticipate how a blended fabric will behave—ensuring garments that meet high standards in both look and function.
Choosing blended fabrics consciously allows brands to respond to the increasingly specific demands of fit in today’s fashion industry.