Spandex Fabric by the Yard | Premium Stretch Fabric | Stretchhouse

Whether you’re a professional costume designer, a competitive dancer’s parent, a swimwear maker, or a first-time sewer tackling a pair of leggings — the right spandex fabric makes all the difference. At Stretchhouse, we’ve been supplying premium stretch fabrics from our New York City base to designers, studios, and makers across the United States for years — with one of the deepest specialty spandex inventories available online.

What Is Spandex Fabric?

Spandex is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity — a single fiber can stretch to five to eight times its original length and spring back to shape without sagging, distorting, or losing tension. That recovery — the spring-back — is what separates quality spandex from cheap imitations.

In the United States, the generic name for this fiber is spandex. In the UK and Europe it’s called elastane. Lycra® is the brand name owned by The LYCRA Company — one of the most recognized trade names in textile manufacturing. All three refer to the same elastic polyurethane fiber chemistry. Most stretch fabrics sold by the yard are blends — typically 80% nylon + 20% spandex, or 82% polyester + 18% spandex.

Two-way vs. four-way stretch: A 2-way stretch fabric stretches in one direction only (typically crosswise). A 4-way stretch fabric stretches in both directions — lengthwise and crosswise — and is the standard for dancewear, swimwear, activewear, and fitted costume applications. Nearly all fabrics at Stretchhouse are 4-way stretch unless otherwise noted.

Types of Spandex Fabric at Stretchhouse

Nylon Spandex (Milliskin, Tricot, Sueded, Moleskin)

Our core nylon spandex collection includes several distinct fabric constructions, each with a different hand and finish:

• Milliskin Matte: The smooth, non-reflective standard for competitive dance and gymnastics. 210 GSM, 80% Nylon / 20% Spandex, 60″ wide, 50+ colors. The most-used performance fabric in competition dance.
• Milliskin Shiny: Same construction as Matte with a high-gloss surface — ideal for swimwear, figure skating, and performance costumes where shine is part of the design.
• Tricot Lycra Shiny: A knit construction with a slight ribbed texture and glossy finish. Drapier than Milliskin — excellent for dance dresses, bodysuits, and fitted fashion.
• Sueded Tricot: A brushed-finish nylon spandex with a soft, velvety hand. Used in athletic and intimate apparel.
• Supplex Spandex: A performance nylon spandex engineered for activewear. Soft, quick-drying, moisture-managing, UPF 50+. The industry standard for leggings and yoga pants.

Velvet Spandex

Stretch velvet is a luxury category of its own — Crushed Velvet (our most popular), Plain Velvet, Glitter Velvet, Metallic Velvet, and Printed Velvet. Each brings a different level of texture, shine, and drama to dance costumes, fashion, and theatrical applications.

Hologram Spandex

Holographic fabric creates prismatic, light-refracting effects that are impossible to replicate with print or paint. Our collection includes Cracked Ice (our #1 seller), Digital, Oil Slick, Holo Sands, and several snake and reptile pattern variants — the go-to fabrics for competition dance, figure skating, cosplay, and festival fashion.

Metallic Spandex

All-over metallic foil on a stretch base — solid, mirror-like metallic colors rather than prismatic effects. Available in All-Over Foil, Alloy Foil, Pin Dot, Foil Glitter, Thunder, and more. Ideal for superhero, showgirl, and performance costumes.

Stretch Sequins

Sequins sewn onto a spandex mesh base — Standard Stretch Sequins, Reversible Sequins (two-color flip), Cymbal Sequins, Mesh Sequin, and All-Over Sequins. Essential for dance competition, performance costumes, and high-fashion applications.

Spandex Mesh

Sheer and semi-sheer stretch mesh fabrics including Power Mesh (dense, firm — the standard swimwear and dancewear lining), Solid Mesh, Glitter Mesh, Leggings Mesh, and Ombre Mesh.

Specialty Stretch Fabrics

Faux Leather (Stretch) · Stretch Vinyl · Neoprene/Scuba · Slinky (lightweight, fluid, exceptional drape) · Satin Spandex · Printed Spandex (hundreds of patterns) · Stretch Lace · Supplex · Athletic Mesh · Cotton Lycra

How to Choose the Right Spandex Fabric

Choosing the right spandex fabric comes down to four factors:

1. The end use — The garment’s function determines almost everything. Competitive swimwear needs different fabric than casual leggings. Start with the end use and work backward to the fabric.

2. Stretch direction and percentage — Most garments that hug the body need 4-way stretch. Higher spandex content (20%) means more stretch and stronger recovery — important for competitive swimwear, gymnastics, and figure skating.

3. Fabric weight (GSM) — GSM = grams per square meter. Lower GSM (120–180) = lighter, more sheer, more drapy. Higher GSM (200–280) = denser, more opaque, more structured. For leggings and swimwear, aim for 200–230 GSM.

4. Surface finish — Matte, shiny, velvet, holographic, metallic, sequined, or lace — the surface affects both aesthetics and sew-ability. If you’re a beginner, start with matte or sueded finishes, which are the most forgiving to sew.

Spandex Fabric for Dancewear and Performance Costumes

The dance world runs on spandex — specifically on high-performance nylon spandex that handles sweat, movement, stage lighting, and dozens of wash cycles without losing shape or color. The fabrics most used in dance costumes are Milliskin Matte (industry standard), Hologram Spandex (especially Cracked Ice for competition sparkle), Stretch Sequins (for stage presence), Velvet Spandex (for classical and theatrical pieces), and Slinky (for contemporary and modern dance dresses).

Spandex Fabric for Swimwear

For swimwear, you need a fabric that stretches with the body, resists chlorine and UV degradation, and dries quickly. The best swimwear fabrics in our collection: Milliskin Matte and Shiny (80/20 nylon-spandex, excellent chlorine resistance — the standard for competitive swimwear), Supplex Spandex (UV-resistant, quick-drying, soft against skin), and Power Mesh (used as a lining layer inside swimsuit bodices for support and shape).

Spandex Fabric for Activewear and Leggings

For leggings and activewear, the key requirements are: full opacity under stretch, strong recovery that prevents bagging at the knee and seat, moisture management, and durability through repeated machine washing. Our top recommendation is Milliskin Matte (210 GSM, 80/20 nylon-spandex) or Supplex Spandex for a softer, athletic feel. For a pair of leggings (sizes XS–L), plan for 1.25–1.5 yards of 60-inch-wide fabric.

Spandex Fabric for Costumes and Cosplay

For costume makers, spandex is uniquely powerful: it’s forgiving to fit, creates dramatic visual effects under event lighting, and the range of surface treatments available — holographic, metallic, sequined, velvet, vinyl — means almost any visual effect is achievable in a stretch fabric. Most popular costume fabrics: Cracked Ice Hologram (ice queen, mermaid, fantasy heroes), All-Over Metallic Foil (robots, superheroes, sci-fi), Stretch Vinyl (catsuit-style characters), Crushed Velvet (royalty, gothic, theatrical villains), Reversible Sequins (showgirl, transformation effects).

Fabric Weight Guide (GSM)

How to Order from Stretchhouse

Step 1: Browse our categories or use the search bar to find your fabric. Step 2: Request free samples — not sure how a fabric will look or feel? We’ll send swatches so you can check color, stretch, and hand before committing to yardage. Step 3: Add to cart by the yard — minimum 1 yard, no bulk minimums for retail. Step 4: For wholesale orders (10+ yards), contact us directly for pricing.

Most in-stock orders ship within 1–3 business days from our New York City location.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between spandex, lycra, and elastane?

They are all the same elastic fiber. “Spandex” is the generic U.S. name. “Elastane” is the international term. “Lycra” is a brand name owned by The LYCRA Company — a quality indicator rather than a different material.

How much spandex fabric do I need?

For leggings (XS–L): 1.25–1.5 yards. For a one-piece swimsuit: 1.5–2 yards + 0.75 yards power mesh lining. For a dance leotard: 1–1.25 yards. For a bikini set: 0.75–1 yard. Always add 10–15% for cutting errors.

What spandex fabric is best for leggings?

Milliskin Matte (210 GSM, 80/20 nylon spandex) is the most popular choice — opaque, holds shape, recovers well, and available in 50+ colors. Supplex Spandex is an excellent alternative for a softer, more cotton-like feel.

Can spandex fabric be machine washed?

Yes — cold water, delicate or hand-wash cycle, mild liquid detergent. Tumble dry low or hang dry. Avoid fabric softener and high heat, which degrade spandex fibers over time.

Do you sell spandex fabric wholesale?

Yes. We offer wholesale pricing on bulk orders of 10+ yards. We supply dance studios, costume designers, fashion brands, and manufacturers across the United States. Contact us directly for wholesale pricing.

Can I get a sample before ordering?

Absolutely. We offer a free sample request service — request swatches of specific fabrics to check color, weight, and stretch before placing a full order. Especially recommended for color-critical orders like matching team colors for dance competition.

Further reading: What Is Milliskin Fabric? Matte vs. Shiny Explained | Nylon vs. Polyester Spandex Compared | Fabric Yardage Guide