Rayhan & Topik
Rayhan & Topik
Rayhan & Topik
1.Compression
➢ Compression describes how fabric helps a garment to fit the human form.
➢ The degree of elasticity will be determined by the
type and amount of elastic yarns used
➢ Comfort stretch: 2–5 percent spandex fiber content will provide gentle
compression and remain close to the body, expanding and contracting as the
body moves. Top-weight and bottom-weight knitted and woven fabrics are
commonly available in comfort stretches.
➢ Power stretch: 14–20 percent spandex fiber content will provide “power stretch”
for sustained compression that suppresses the body silhouette and supports
muscles during athletic performance. Undergarments, athletic garments, and
fashion garments intended to showcase the body silhouette all use power stretch
fabrics
➢ Types of compression:
• rigid fabrics compressing the body without elasticity.
• ribbed knitted fabrics that conform to the body because of the knitted
construction.
• elastic yarns woven or knitted into fabrics that sustain fabric surface tension
➢ Caution regarding elasticity in fabrics:There are risks when selecting elastic
fabrics for designs. First, heat exposure to elastic fabrics will diminish or eliminate
elasticity. Therefore, be sure the design will not be exposed to excessive heat
during the production process or in the consumer’s hands, as the elasticity will be
damaged by heat. Second, comfort stretch fabrics will create a comfortable
garment and will not compress the body. Over time, comfort stretch fabrics will
exhibit diminished elasticity during the life of the garment. Third, spandex fiber
content means the fabric cannot be recycled into new fiber. If a polyester/
spandex blend is selected, note that this fiber blend fabric cannot be recycled into
new fiber
of the straight-grain stability, the high degree of stretch from the spandex yarns can retain the shape
of the garment, especially when the fabric is wet. Swimwear is one of the popular uses of power-
stretch tricot knit because the straight-grain direction is more likely to stay in place when the swimsuit
fabric becomes heavy with water
The power stretch of these plants is the result of at least 14 percent laid-in
bare elastic yarn in the back side of the tricot knit. The wicking polyester
microfiber is used to keep the athlete dry during competition. Fiber content
is 86 percent polyester microfiber and 14 percent spandex
This fabric has a polypropylene/spandex warp-knit backing, bonded to a nonporous film membrane
face for minimum wind resistance. The fabric expands on the body as it warms. The high spandex
content of the backing fabric and the resilience of the membrane face provide powerful muscle
support during the skater’s activity.
Seamless pantyhose
These pantyhose are produced using special weft knitting equipment that creates hosiery without
seams. The power-stretch yarns provide extreme elasticity and compress the leg to avoid slack in the
pantyhose as they are worn. Fiber content is 85 percent nylon and 15 percent spandex.
Speed-skating racing fabric The designer must first consider the athlete’s performance when
designing a garment with power stretch. One of the key points about power stretch is to allow the
muscles to expand, and to support the muscles as they contract to avoid injury
Usually 14–20 percent spandex fiber content is enough to provide the necessary compression to
restrict the body yet allow comfort during movement. Bodysuits and girdles (rarely used today)
contain this amount of spandex because they are intended to compress large areas of the body. These
garments are usually two layers of elastic knit fabric, with the inside layer more elastic than the
outside layer to prevent the inner layer from wrinkling under the outer layer. Other, less restrictive
Bodysuit fabric
This bodysuit tricot fabric containing recycled PET polyester and spandex will compress the body
silhouette. The polyester used in the fabric has been recycled from plastic bottles. Fiber content is 84
percent recycled polyester PET and 16 percent spandex
Skirts require extra smoothing of the body, and tube-shaped skirt liners will compress the hips and
thighs in an elastic “slip” garment. Fabric fiber content is 84 percent polyester and 16 percent spandex
Sports bra fabric
Sports bra fabrics require comfort, absorbency, and compression. Women in athletics need specific
fabrics to accommodate the female anatomy in competitive sports. Fiber content is 55 percent cotton,
33 percent polyester, and 12 percent spandex.
Power mesh is a raschel knit fabric produced to create breathable comfort while providing powerful
elasticity and compression. Invented to accommodate underwear that requires the garment to retain
shape and stay in place on the body, power mesh provides an important solution for specialized
undergarments and body conforming fashion designs
This athletic pants design uses power mesh as a design element as well as a functional element. The
narrow stripes of power mesh not only allow air to circulate but also add strong elasticity to the pants.
Corsets and bustiers using only rigid woven fabrics are uncomfortable to wear. Adding power mesh
inserts to the bodice will allow expansion for a more comfortable fit
This power mesh brief is designed for quick, dry laundering when traveling. The open mesh fabric is
cool for hot climates and the fit is less restrictive due to the function of the garment
DESIGN RESPONSIBLY
At this time, only spandex fiber is used for such powerful elastic fabrics. However, spandex, an oil-
based fiber, is not recyclable. It is recommended to keep searching for polyester-based elastic fiber
that will be recyclable into new elastic fiber.
There are three types of narrow elastic, produced for edgings, waistbands, and leg or arm openings.
Their purpose is to provide elastic expansion and compression in focused locations on the garment
Knit elastic is produced for a wide variety of uses and is designed for specific products such as gloves,
socks, face-mask straps, waistbands, and suspenders. Weight, thickness, and tension are
Mesh elastic bands are used in lighter-weight fabrics. They are intended to “roll” less than knitted
elastic bands. Though more lightweight than knitted elastic bands, they are stiffer and so are
sometimes preferred for waistbands to keep elastic bands from folding over
Ruffle-edge knitted elastic bands
Sometimes knitted elastics are designed with fancy edging, like this ruffle-edged elastic ribbon.
Ladies’ underwear is the most popular category for this type of elastic. Another type of “ribbon”
elastic will include a “terry” side, which helps cushion and grip the skin, especially when used for
straps.
Woven elastic suspenders Woven elastic suspenders maintain their width when stretched. Suspenders
are usually elastic bands that can expand and contract as the design requires. In addition, they can
become a design element, using color and hardware to accessorize the garment. Jacquard designs are
frequently woven into the fabric