What Is Spandex Fabric?
Spandex, also known as elastane or Lycra (a brand name), is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity. It is a polyether-polyurea copolymer that was invented in 1958 by chemist Joseph Shivers at DuPont's Benger Laboratory. The name "spandex" is an anagram of the word "expands," which aptly describes the fabric's key characteristic.
Spandex fabric can be mixed with other materials like cotton, polyester, or nylon to enhance the stretchability, fit, comfort, and durability of the final product. Spandex fibers can stretch up to five times their normal length, offering comfort and freedom of movement without losing their original shape. This makes it particularly popular in sports and performance wear, where flexibility and support are crucial.
What is Poly Spandex Fabric?
Poly spandex fabric combines polyester and spandex fibers to create a material that blends the best qualities of both. Polyester is a durable, strong, and wrinkle-resistant synthetic fiber that retains its shape well, dries quickly, and is resistant to shrinking and stretching. Spandex, known for its exceptional elasticity, allows fabrics to stretch significantly while returning to their original shape.
The combination of polyester and spandex results in a fabric that is:
- Stretchy and Comfortable: The spandex component provides the fabric with excellent stretch and recovery, offering a comfortable fit and freedom of movement.
- Durable and Strong: Polyester fibers contribute to the fabric's strength and durability, making it resistant to tears and abrasions.
- Moisture-Wicking: Polyester's ability to wick moisture away from the skin makes poly spandex blends ideal for sportswear and activewear, helping to keep the wearer dry and comfortable during physical activities.
- Quick-Drying: The fabric dries quickly due to polyester's low moisture absorbency.
- Wrinkle-Resistant: This blend maintains a smooth appearance with minimal wrinkling, making it easy to care for and suitable for travel or long periods of wear.
What are the best uses for Poly Spandex fabric?
Poly spandex fabric, with its blend of polyester and spandex fibers, offers a combination of durability, elasticity, and comfort, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. Its best uses include:
- Activewear and Sportswear: The stretch and recovery properties of spandex combined with the durability and moisture-wicking capabilities of polyester make poly spandex fabric ideal for sports bras, leggings, running shorts, cycling jerseys, and other types of activewear. It supports a full range of motion and helps keep the wearer dry during physical activities.
- Swimwear: Poly spandex fabric is resistant to chlorine and saltwater, making it a good choice for swimsuits. It offers a snug fit and retains its shape, even after frequent swimming sessions.
- Performance Costumes: Used in dancewear, ice skating, and gymnastics attire, poly spandex allows performers to move freely while maintaining the garment’s shape and fit over time.
- Fashion Apparel: Due to its versatile nature, it's used in a variety of fashion items such as stretchy dresses, skirts, tights, leggings, and form-fitting tops. It can be engineered to have a soft feel and to drape well, making it comfortable for everyday wear.
- Compression Garments: The fabric's elasticity makes it suitable for compression wear, including shaping undergarments, socks, and medical compression garments, providing support and improving blood circulation.
- Outdoor and Adventure Clothing: Poly spandex is used in outdoor apparel like hiking pants and jackets because of its durability, stretchability, and quick-drying properties, offering comfort and flexibility in various weather conditions.
- Yoga Wear: Yoga apparel benefits from the stretch, softness, and comfort of poly spandex, allowing for unrestricted movement during poses and exercises.
- Undergarments: The softness and stretchability make it a good choice for undergarments, offering comfort, breathability, and a smooth fit under clothes.
Where can I buy Wholesale Poly Spandex Fabric.
At Fabric Merchants we are a wholesale poly spandex fabric supplier. We sell wholesale poly spandex by the yard in both prints and solids. We sell poly spandex in 15 yard increments on fabric bolts. We are confident that as a wholesale supplier we offer the best price for spandex fabric. If you can't find the spandex fabric you are looking for please contact us.
