Added 2026-10-17 from trending overseas buyer search questions. We update this centre daily.
Two different properties sit under the word "stretch". Stretch (often called power stretch or elongation) is how far a fabric extends under a defined load. Recovery is how completely it returns to its original length after the load is removed. A cloth can stretch a long way yet recover poorly — and that poor recovery is exactly what produces baggy knees, sagging elbows and a seat that will not spring back. The number buyers should watch is recovery %, not stretch alone.
The method depends on the fabric construction, and the methods are not interchangeable:
| Standard | Use |
|---|---|
| ASTM D3107 | Woven fabrics made with stretch yarns (the primary woven method). |
| ASTM D2594 | Knit fabrics — single/double knits and power nets. |
| ISO 20932-1 / EN 14704-1 | The international / European method for elastic fabrics. |
| BS 4294 | Older British method, now largely superseded by ISO 20932 / EN 14704. |
Always name the method and the number of stretch–release cycles on your specification — recovery after 5 cycles is not the same claim as recovery after 50.
The standard formula expresses recovery as a percentage of the stretch that was recovered:
Recovery % = ((A − C) / (A − B)) × 100
100% means perfect return with zero permanent growth; the lower the figure, the more the fabric stays stretched. Growth (the permanent residual extension after relaxation) is the flip side of the same measurement and is reported separately.
Buyers sometimes write "stretch 50%" expecting that to cover behaviour. It does not. Stretch tells you the range of motion; recovery tells you whether the garment keeps its shape. A fabric at 60% elongation that recovers only 80% will bag; one at 40% elongation recovering 96% holds its line. Specify both, and report them in warp and weft separately — woven stretch is rarely identical in both directions.
Most woven stretch comes from a small percentage of elastane (spandex) yarn — often core-spun around a cotton or polyester core, or twisted in. Illustrative ranges frequently cited by stretch-fabric suppliers:
| Product type | Elastane % (illustrative) |
|---|---|
| Stretch woven denim / trousers | 2–5% (core-spun) |
| Fitted leggings / activewear | 8–15% |
| Compression / shapewear | 15–25% |
These are starting points cited by suppliers, not guaranteed specs. More elastane gives more stretch, but recovery also depends on yarn construction, heat-setting and the tightness of the weave — and elastane degrades with chlorine (pool water), high drying heat and UV, so post-wash recovery is the number that matters in real use.
We are an integrated woven mill, so stretch in our catalogue is delivered through woven constructions — including polyester–spandex and core-spun stretch wovens produced in-house from yarn through finishing. Stretch and recovery are assessed per the method you specify (ASTM D3107 for wovens is typical); the specific achievable power stretch %, recovery % and growth are confirmed per order in writing and recorded against the bulk. For knit stretch bodies we will point you to a knit specialist rather than overstate our range. See the full woven range or ask on the quote request.
Clear on paper, it is testable — and that is what keeps a reorder from drifting. Related reading: fabric composition & blend ratios and tensile & tear strength.
No. D3107 is for woven fabrics made with stretch yarns; D2594 is for knits. They use different samples and loading, so a 'stretch %' under one is not comparable to the other. Always name the right method for your construction.
A commonly cited grading is ≥95% for premium/activewear and >90% for standard wear, but this is brand-dependent — there is no single universal pass mark. Set your own target in writing, and base it on post-wash recovery, not the fresh-sample number.
More elastane gives more stretch, but recovery also depends on yarn construction, heat-setting and weave tightness. Elastane also degrades with chlorine, high drying heat and UV, so a high pre-wash recovery can fall after repeated laundering. Ask for post-wash recovery.
State the method and cycle count, then list power stretch % and recovery % as separate figures in warp and weft, with the condition (dry or after a defined wash) and, if needed, a growth limit. Written that way it is directly testable.