STRETCH Factor of Fabrics | Printable Chart

Often, stretch sewing patterns will specify using a fabric with a certain amount of stretch factor. You will find that knits with different stretch factors sew up differently and give your final product a different look. This tutorial will show you how to measure stretch factor and choose the right knit fabric for your project. It also includes a printable sheet you can keep on hand for easy measuring.

What is the Stretch Factor of Fabric

The stretch factor of fabrics is a measurement in percentage form that tells you how much a fabric will stretch. This is important when you are sewing with garments with negative ease, like leotards. If your stretch factor does not match the pattern’s, your garment will not fit.

Stretch Measurement Guide:

Stretch Percentage	Stretch Measurement (from 10cm sample)	Stretch Category	Best Fabric Examples	Common Uses
0–10%	Stretches to 10–11 cm	Non-Stretch / Stable	Woven cotton, linen, denim	Shirts, dresses, structured garments
10–25%	Stretches to 11–12.5 cm	Low Stretch	Cotton blends, stretch poplin	Fitted tops, skirts
25–50%	Stretches to 12.5–15 cm	Moderate Stretch	Jersey knit, ponte	T-shirts, casual dresses
50–75%	Stretches to 15–17.5 cm	High Stretch	Double knit, stretch velvet	Body-fitting garments
75–100%	Stretches to 17.5–20 cm	Very High Stretch	Spandex blends, swimwear fabric	Activewear, swimwear, leggings
100%+	Stretches beyond 20 cm	Super Stretch / Performance	Lycra, elastane blends	Dancewear, compression garments

💡 Tip: To measure fabric stretch, mark 10 cm (or 4 inches) on the fabric without stretching, then stretch the fabric comfortably and measure the new length.

How to Measure Stretch Factor

To determine the amount of stretch, fold your fabric on the crosswise grain a few inches from the raw edge. Place a pin at least an inch from the edge and another 4 inches from the first pin.

See how far it stretches. You should not stretch the fabric to its absolute limit. Just enough tension for it to be strong but not overstretched.

Downloadable Stretch Factor of Fabric Chart

Don’t worry if you are not great at math. I have a printable chart you can use.

DOWNLOAD STRETCH FACTOR CHART

Click on the link above, and a PDF file will come up for you to print. Make sure your printer’s scaling is set to “none” or “100%” and check the test square to ensure it has printed the correct size.

How to Use the Stretch Factor of Fabric

For most stretch items like dresses and tops, it is the crosswise measurement that is important as this is the amount of stretch going around your body.

For items such as leotard sewing patterns and swimwear, you will also need to measure the lengthwise grain stretch. Some Lycra swim and dance fabrics have a lengthwise stretch that is greater than the crosswise stretch, and this can affect how you place your pattern pieces when cutting.

A good knit fabric should return to its original length after being stretched. This is called recovery. If your fabric doesn’t recover to its original position, you will find that after a short wear, your garment will look baggy and start to stretch out of shape.

So that’s how you work out the stretch factor of your fabric!

In Coclusion

Understanding fabric stretch percentage is essential when choosing the right material for sewing projects. By measuring how far a fabric stretches compared to its original length, you can determine whether it is low-stretch, moderate-stretch, or high-stretch fabric. This helps ensure garments fit properly and maintain their shape over time.

Most sewing patterns specify the required stretch percentage, so testing your fabric before cutting can prevent fitting issues. Using a simple 10 cm stretch test, sewists can quickly identify the stretch category and match it to suitable projects such as t-shirts, activewear, swimwear, or fitted dresses.

By learning how to measure stretch and understanding stretch categories, you can confidently select fabrics that work perfectly with your sewing patterns and create professional-looking garments.

More stretch articles:

1. Sewing Stretch Fabric without a Serger
2. Types of Knit Fabric
3. How to Sew Fold Over Elastic
4. How to Gather Knit Fabric
5. How to use a Serger
6. How to Sew with a Twin Needle
7. Lettuce Hems