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November2026

Stretch Spandex

(45 products)

Shop spandex & stretch knits from $4.99/yard — 4-way stretch, 58–60″ wide, for dancewear, swim & activewear.

🚚 Free US shipping $50+📦 Wholesale bolts available✂️ Cut to your yardage
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Stretch spandex fabrics are knits with spandex (elastane) content, giving them four-way stretch and recovery — the fabric snaps back instead of bagging out. Our collection includes milliskin nylon spandex (the dancewear standard: matte, four-way stretch), polyester spandex (more colorfast, used for swimwear and activewear), and foil or metallic spandex for performance looks. Typical uses are dancewear and leotards, swimwear, activewear and leggings, costumes, and fitted evening wear. Most are 58 to 60 inches wide, in nylon-spandex or polyester-spandex blends, and machine washable. Spandex content typically runs 10 to 20 percent; higher spandex means more compression and better recovery. Foil spandex has a metallic coating for performance shine, though the foil can crack with heavy stretch over time. For swimwear, choose polyester spandex — it resists chlorine breakdown far better than nylon. Stretch spandex fabrics are priced from $3.99 per yard, with full bolts at wholesale pricing for dancewear makers, swim labels, and costume shops.

Fabric specs

  • Width: 58–60 inches
  • Fiber: Nylon or polyester + spandex
  • Weight: Light-medium knit
  • Care: Machine wash cold; no heat
  • Price: From $3.99 / yard
  • Bulk: Full bolts, wholesale pricing

Further Reading

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between milliskin and polyester spandex?
Milliskin nylon spandex is the matte dancewear standard with a soft hand. Polyester spandex is more colorfast and chlorine-resistant, better for swimwear. Our Nylon Spandex is a true 20 percent spandex that stretches four ways.
How much stretch do I need for leggings?
Four-way stretch with at least 15% spandex content gives the compression and recovery leggings need without going sheer.
Does spandex lose its elasticity?
Heat is the enemy — high dryer heat and chlorine break spandex down. Wash cold and skip the dryer to keep recovery.
Can I print on spandex fabric?
Polyester spandex takes sublimation printing well, which is how most custom dancewear and swim prints are made.
Do you sell spandex fabric wholesale?
Yes — We offer Nylon Spandex in full bolts at wholesale pricing for dancewear makers and swim labels, with free US shipping on orders over $50. **New FAQs (5) — proposed:**
My spandex skipped stitches everywhere — what am I doing wrong?
You're almost certainly using the wrong needle — spandex needs a ballpoint or stretch needle, and a universal needle will punch through the knit and skip. Use a narrow zigzag or a dedicated stretch stitch, and don't pull the fabric as it feeds. We've seen perfect machines blamed for bad stitching that was fixed by a two-dollar needle swap.
Can I use nylon spandex for swimwear?
Nylon spandex breaks down faster in chlorinated pool water, so it's the wrong choice for regular swimwear. Use polyester spandex for anything that lives in the pool — it's more colorfast and chlorine-resistant. Nylon spandex (like milliskin) is the better pick for dancewear, where the matte finish and soft hand matter more than chlorine exposure.
The cut edges of my spandex keep curling — how do I keep the pieces flat?
Knit spandex curls at the cut edge — that's normal, and fighting it with your hands just stretches the pieces out of shape. Cut with a rotary cutter on a mat and leave the pieces on the mat while you transfer markings. Pattern weights beat pins here, because pins distort the stretch and leave the pieces wavy.
Can I iron spandex, or will the heat ruin it?
Keep the iron off or on the lowest setting with a press cloth — heat is what kills spandex, and the care instructions say machine wash cold with no heat for a reason. Steam alone usually relaxes wrinkles in spandex without direct iron contact. We've seen a hot iron melt the elastic fibers in one spot and leave a permanent shiny dent in leggings.
Will spandex show every lump — is there a more forgiving option?
Matte nylon spandex hides more than shiny finishes — shine highlights every contour, so milliskin-style matte is the forgiving choice for leggings and leotards. Darker colors also skim better than light ones. The honest tradeoff: the shiniest spandex looks the most dramatic on stage and the least forgiving in daylight. ---

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