TMIE-15-2 -2 150CM Width Light Weight 110GSM 4way Strech Print Pattarn Polyester Fabric

2 Way vs 4-Way Stretch Fabric: What’s the Difference?

I mentioned earlier that a lot of knit fabrics have 4-way stretch. But, there are also some knit fabrics that have 2-way stretch. What exactly is the difference between 2-way and 4-way stretch fabrics?

A 2-way stretch fabric is a fabric that only stretches (and recovers) in two directions. It can stretch from side to side or from top to bottom, but not both. The most common way for a 2-way fabric to stretch is from side to side. But, the direction that a 2-way fabric stretches depends on in what direction the fabric is woven.

On the other hand, 4-way stretch fabrics are knit fabrics stretching from side to side and from top to bottom. These fabrics are knit in such a way that allows them to stretch in all 4 directions. Clothing made with 4-way stretch fabrics tends to move with you and return to its original shape as you move and after taking them off.

Examples of 4-Way Stretch Fabric

4-way stretch fabrics aren’t often labeled as such, so it can be hard to know what you’re looking for and what you’re getting without testing the fabric to see how it stretches. That’s why it’s important to know some examples of 4-way stretch fabrics and their characteristics. That way, you can make sure you’re getting the right fabric for your project.

Remember that all 4-way stretch fabrics are knit fabrics, so any fabric that is typically woven won’t have 4-way stretch. Most knit fabrics that have 4-way will be made with or contain either nylon or elastic fibers such as spandex or Lycra (a specific spandex brand name). Additionally, 4-way stretch fabrics don’t have to be made with 100% nylon or spandex/Lycra. They need to have some percentage of nylon or spandex/Lycra blended in.

Jersey fabrics are also knit fabrics, and many of them have 4-way stretch. Jersey fabrics can be made of many different types of fibers, but they all have in common: you can expect them to stretch at least some. This is because they are stretchy due to the way that they are made, not because they contain elastic fibers. Jersey knits can contain elastic fibers, though, and jersey knits with spandex/Lycra are typically the ones that are the stretchiest.