Ultimate Guide of Stretch Yarn: Choose the Perfect Stretch Fabric
Stretch fabric has become a staple in the fashion industry with the rising demand for sustainable and fashionable activewear. Moreover, with the body positivity revolution in the world of women’s garments, stretchable outfits are popular, whether it’s a bodycon dress or stretchable co-ords or flare pants. In today’s world, where comfort, durability, and flexibility are top-notch priorities, fashion designers and other garment manufacturers are sourcing the best stretch yarn to reach their desired goals.
This comprehensive guide delves deep into the world of yarn and stretch fabrics; covering everything from the basics of fiber types to practical tips on fabric care and project suitability.
What is Stretch Yarn?
The stretch yarn involves manufacturing the yarn in a way that it possesses higher capability to stretch and then return back to its original shape. This is achieved either with the help of mechanical engineering or by bending elastic fibers, like spandex, to get the desired stretch.
This kind of yarn is manufactured considering its elastic properties which makes it perfect for creating stretchable textiles.
Let us discuss the two primary types of stretch yarn that most manufacturers focus on:
- Core-Spun Yarn
Core-spun yarn involves a process of enfolding fibers (cotton or synthetic) around the core spandex. This type of yarn is necessary for those textiles which involve both softness and elasticity.
- Covered Yarn
As the name suggests, here the spandex is covered using other fibers like polyester or nylon. Because of this method, the yarn possesses intense durability and improved appearance. Moreover, the presence of these properties makes it ideal to be used in hosiery and athletic wear.
The construction and composition of stretch yarn significantly impact the stretch recovery, comfort, and performance of the final fabric.
Why Choose Stretch Fabrics?
Stretch fabrics are a revolutionary approach in the textile industry and garment manufacturing segment due to their unique properties:
- Better Comfort and Fit
Stretch fabric seamlessly fits as per the body measurements, ensuring a more customised and snug feel. Whether it’s used to make jeans that are breathable or sportswear that supports movement, stretch yarn plays a vital role in imparting comfort.
- Enhanced Durability
Textiles produced with this type of yarn tend to last longer as they possess high durability, becoming less prone to wear and tear. This elasticity helps the garment to maintain its shape for a long period of time. - Versatile Usage
Stretch yarn is currently in high demand due to its versatile applications from making yoga pants, swimming suits, and medical garments to denim jeans. Thus, sourcing stretch yarn from reputed yarn manufacturers like Sitaram Spinners would not only ensure the elasticity of the yarn but will make the finished product soft and breathable.
How Can Stretch Yarn Influences Fabric Performance?
Different types of stretch yarns impact the fabric pattern and performance. Let’s dive into the details:
- Spandex-Based Yarns
With its ability to stretch up to 200% and regain its original shape, spandex has become the most used elastic fiber in the stretch yarn community. For this reason, spandex-based yarns are largely sourced by textile manufacturers who are into making performance wear and form-fitting clothes.
However, spandex yarn cannot be used on its own; it needs to be blended with other soft fibers like cotton, nylon, or polyester to add comfort and moisture-absorbent properties. Thus, this makes spandex-based fabrics ideal for manufacturing garments to cope active movements.
- Mechanical Stretch Yarns
These yarns don’t rely on elastic fibers but are engineered through texturizing processes or special weaving/knitting techniques. As a result of this, fabrics from this yarn are able to offer stretch without the requirement of spandex. Though mechanical stretch yarns are more breathable, they offer less recovery from shrinkage.
Fabrics made from such yarn are used for casual wear shirting and dresses that require minimum elasticity.
- Core-Spun vs. Air-Covered Yarns
While core-spun yarns offer the highest strength and better control over stretch and recovery, air-covered yarns are lighter on the feel and more comfortable on the skin.
Each variation of stretch yarn contributes distinct qualities to the fabric, and understanding these can help in choosing the right material for your project.
Types of Stretch Fabrics Made with Stretch Yarn
As per trusted yarn manufacturers, Sitaram Spinners Pvt. Ltd., understanding fabric types is important to determine before making the final decision of selecting raw materials. Here are some of the common stretch fabrics that are derived from the stretch yarn:
- Jersey Knit
Jersey knit fabrics are commonly used in t-shirts and casual dresses for being lightweight, breathable, and stretchy material. Moreover, when blended with stretch yarn, the jersey becomes even more comfortable and form-fitting.
- Spandex Knit (Lycra)
This stretch fabric is largely used in sportswear and activewear as it offers four-way stretchability, making it ideal for dynamic movements.
- Stretch Denim
Stretched denim is a great fashion hit and is achieved by blending the ruggedness of conventional denim with the elasticity of the stretch yarn. Thus, this allows the piece to be more fashionable and comfortable for the manufacturing of jeans and jackets.
- Stretch Velvet
The stretch velvet looks elegant with a slight sheen, yet maintaining comfort. Thus it also holds the properties of enhanced shape recovery from any stretch.
How to Choose the Right Stretch Fabric?
The selection of stretch fabric depends on understanding what end goal you want to achieve with the textiles. We are offering a quick guide regarding this so that you can make informed decisions:
- Purpose & Application
Firstly, ask yourself what will be the purpose of the textile – whether it will be used to make activewear, denim wear, casual dresses, or industrial use. This is important to know as suppose, for activewear, the textile needs to require maximum flexibility and sweat-proof properties. Whereas, formal or casual dresses might need more structured stretch with moderate recovery.
- Stretch Direction
There are two types of stretch direction to focus on:
- Two-way Stretch: Stretches in one direction, usually horizontal, and is perfect for casual garments.
- Four-Way Stretch: Stretches both vertically and horizontally and is ideal for activewear or sportswear involving dynamic movement.
- Percentage of Stretch
The stretch percentage (e.g. 30% or 50%) of a fabric can be determined by a simple procedure. Measure a 10-inch long piece of fabric and try to stretch it and see whether it reaches 13 inches which constitutes 30% of stretch. Know that the higher the stretch, it will be ideal for fitted clothes like active garments or swimsuits.
- Recovery Rate
The recovery rate of a fabric determines how well the fabric returns to its original shape after being stretched to its fullest potential. Thus, garment manufacturers dealing with bodycon dresses, shapewear, and sportswear must consider a higher recovery rate to achieve the desired fit.
- Fabric Weight
Lighter fabrics are great for undergarments and T-shirts, while medium to heavy fabrics work better for pants, blazers, and structured dresses.
Care and Maintenance of Stretch Fabrics
Though stretchable fabrics come with high wear and tear, however, need gentle care to maintain elasticity and shape. Here are some of the tips:
- Wash in Cold Water: Washing it in warm or hot water can break down the elastic fibers over time.
- Avoid Fabric Softener: Regularly using fabric softeners can create an additional layer of coating which reduces elasticity.
- Ensure Air Drying Method: Generally, heat from dryers can damage the yarn, thereby reducing the fabric elasticity.
- Store Properly: It is ideal to not hang heavy stretchable garments as gravity usually stretches the fabric and destroys its shape. Thus, to keep the shape intact, fold the garments instead.
Final Thoughts: Choose a Reputed Stretch Yarn Manufacturing Unit
Whether you’re making sportswear, loungewear, or stylish evening garments, choosing a reputed yarn manufacturer who doesn’t compromise on quality is pivotal. The uniqueness of the stretch yarn lies in its ability to enhance comfort, flexibility, and durability, making it inevitable for modern textiles.
Sitaram Spinners is well-aligned with the demand and trend of the textile industry and hence has been maintaining a superlative product range. Moreover, with the help of state-of-the-art technology, the experts offer only the highest quality of yarns by proving that comfort and performance can indeed go hand-in-hand. Thus, whether you’re designing for style, movement, or sustainability, choosing the right yarn manufacturer means you have access to the best quality stretch yarns, leading you close to your dream designs.
