Two-way and four-way stretch fabric

Stretch fabric is a synthetic-based material that can be either two-way or four-way stretch. The difference is that the two-way version stretches only in one direction (usually from one finished fabric knot to another, but it can be in different directions depending on the type of sewing). Four-way stretch fabric (like Spandex) stretches in both planes simultaneously.

When did stretch fabrics first appear?

Stretch fabrics developed from a scientific project aimed at creating a textile fiber from neoprene. This was in 1958, after which the first so-called "elastomers" like elastane (sold under the name "Lycra") or spandex appeared.

Why did stretch fabrics start being used?

Stretch fabrics facilitate the construction of any clothing and initially appeared only in swimwear and women’s bras. They then appeared in some fashion products around the 1980s. However, they only made it into the mainstream roughly around the 1990s and beyond. For understandable reasons, they later became very popular in the sports area.