New to stretch fabric? This glossary defines the spandex and stretch-fabric terms you’ll see across our catalog, in plain language. Stretch House has supplied spandex by the yard — wholesale and retail — from New York since 2004, in 300+ colors and finishes.

Fibers & construction

Spandex (elastane / Lycra®) is a synthetic fiber prized for exceptional stretch and recovery. Fabrics are usually a blend — e.g. nylon/spandex or polyester/spandex — where the spandex percentage drives the stretch.

Nylon spandex is smooth, strong and quick-drying with excellent recovery — the workhorse of swimwear, dancewear and activewear. Polyester spandex holds printed color well and resists fading. ITY (Interlock Twist Yarn) is a soft, drapey knit with a fluid hand.

Weight & measurement

GSM (grams per square meter) is the standard measure of fabric weight — lower is lighter and sheerer, higher is heavier and more opaque. Denier measures fiber thickness. Width (commonly 58–60″) affects how much yardage a pattern needs.

Stretch

2-way stretch gives in one direction, usually across the width. 4-way stretch gives in both directions and is preferred for swimwear, dancewear, leotards and activewear. Recovery is how well fabric snaps back to shape — high recovery prevents bagging.

Finishes & effects

Matte is a flat, non-shiny surface; shiny / mystique is high-luster and reflective. Milliskin is a smooth, matte nylon-spandex tricot with 4-way stretch. Hologram shifts color with viewing angle; foil is a metallic surface layer. Glitter / lurex add sparkle via embedded glitter or metallic threads. Moisture-wicking pulls sweat away from the skin.

Common uses

Dancewear & costumes: 4-way milliskin, mystique, hologram and foil. Swimwear: high-recovery nylon/spandex. Activewear: moisture-wicking, compressive nylon or poly spandex — see our athletic mesh. Cosplay: metallics, holograms and prints.

What is spandex, Lycra and elastane?

They are three names for the same synthetic fiber prized for exceptional stretch and recovery. Stretch House stocks spandex blends by the yard.

What is the difference between 2-way and 4-way stretch?

2-way stretch moves in one direction; 4-way stretches both ways for a closer fit. Both are sold by the yard at Stretch House.

Where can I buy the stretch fabrics in this glossary?

Stretch House sells milliskin, hologram, sequin, power mesh, velvet and more by the yard at stretchhouse.com, with free samples and worldwide shipping from New York since 2004.