Nylon Spandex Matte Black #98

Black Milliskin Matte Nylon Spandex from Stretchhouse is the industry-standard performance fabric for competitive dance, gymnastics, leotards, swimwear, and leggings. This is the #1 bestselling fabric in our collection — and for good reason. At 210 GSM and 80% Nylon / 20% Spandex, it delivers the stretch, recovery, opacity, and color retention that professional costume designers and studio directors rely on season after season.

Why Black Milliskin Matte?

Black is the foundational color of every costume wardrobe — and Milliskin Matte delivers it at its most saturated and versatile. The non-reflective matte finish means the fabric reads true black under stage and competition lighting without glare or reflection that can obscure costume detail. Rhinestones, holographic overlays, and sequin accents pop against the clean, non-competing black surface. The 210 GSM weight is dense enough to remain fully opaque even under maximum stretch and bright stage or studio lighting — it passes the squat test without question.

• Content: 80% Nylon / 20% Spandex
• Weight: 210 GSM
• Width: 58–60 inches (152.4 cm)
• Stretch: 4-way (lengthwise and crosswise)
• Style: MLS601 | Color #98
• Reorderable: Yes — consistent stock maintained year-round

What You Can Make With It

Competition Dance: The go-to base fabric for competition dance costumes at every level. Used in leotards, unitards, bodysuits, fitted shorts, and as the backing layer under holographic or sequin overlays. Holds rhinestones and heat-transfer adhesives with no issues.

Gymnastics Leotards: Club and competitive gymnastics leotards require a fabric that stretches to full splits without restriction and recovers completely after every routine. Milliskin Matte checks every box. The fabric withstands chalk, sweat, and repeated high-intensity use without pilling or loss of shape.

Swimwear: The 80/20 nylon-spandex construction is chlorine-resistant and quick-drying — appropriate for competitive team swimwear, school swim programs, and recreational one-pieces. Black Milliskin Matte is one of our most popular swimwear colors for its clean, classic look in pool environments.

Leggings and Activewear: At 210 GSM, black Milliskin Matte is fully opaque under stretch — the exact requirement that separates quality leggings from see-through ones. It holds its shape through years of machine washing and repeated wearing. The smooth matte surface is comfortable against skin during extended activity and gives a sleek, sophisticated aesthetic.

Figure Skating: Used as the body fabric of skating dresses, often with holographic, velvet, or lace overlay sections. The matte background creates clean contrast against any embellishment style.

Sewing Tips for Black Milliskin Matte

Use a ballpoint needle (size 75/11 for standard Milliskin weight) — ballpoint needles push the knit fibers aside rather than piercing them, preventing snags and skipped stitches. Use a stretch stitch or narrow zigzag on your sewing machine, or a 3-thread or 4-thread serger for professional, flexible seams. Cut with a rotary cutter on a self-healing mat for the cleanest, most consistent edges. Black fabric shows chalk marking clearly — use white chalk or a white chalk pencil for marking pattern lines.

Care Instructions

Machine wash cold on delicate or hand-wash cycle. Use mild liquid detergent — avoid fabric softener (degrades spandex fibers over time) and bleach. Tumble dry on low or hang to dry. If ironing is necessary, use the lowest setting with a pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric surface.

Not sure this is the right black? Request a free sample before ordering yardage — color accuracy varies between monitors, and a physical swatch is the only reliable way to confirm. For bulk or wholesale orders of 10+ yards, contact us directly for pricing.

For textile care guidance see the CPSC textile care standards.