Friday Fun Fact: Measuring stretch

Here's how we measure stretch!

You may have noticed the stretchiness of fabrics expressed in percentages in our online shop. Here's how those numbers are calculated.

First, identify the fabric's selvage. Just like wovens, knits have a selvage, straight grain, and cross grain.

On a printed knit, it's easy to find the selvage. On a solid color, look for the edge with tiny perforations or just find the edge that wasn't cut when you bought the fabric.

Stretch is measured along the cross grain, since that's usually what ends up going around the body, where we need the stretch.

Next, make a fold along the cross grain that's several inches deep. The fabric will stretch more along the cut edge, so measuring along the fold is more accurate.

Measure 10" of fabric relaxed, then stretch the fabric as far as you comfortably can. However many inches you gain is the stretch percentage!

So if 10" of fabric stretches to 14", we've added 4", or 40% of our original measurement. We call that 40% stretch.

Patterns will often tell you how much stretch a fabric needs to make the garment successful. The more fitted a garment is, the more stretchy your knit should be!

Oversized tops and sweatshirts can be made with less stretchy knits, while leggings and swimwear need the most stretch.

Check out all our Friday Fun Facts in the archive here!