Fabric Guide & FAQ

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Fabric Guide & FAQ

Everything you need to know about our fabrics

Blue Moon Fabrics is a specialist supplier of 4-way stretch nylon spandex, power mesh, foiled spandex, and scuba knit for swimwear, activewear, and dancewear. Here's how our most-loved fabrics are used — and answers to the questions we hear most.

With decades of experience supplying makers, designers, and manufacturers, Blue Moon Fabrics carries over 1,300 stretch fabrics. Below are our five best-selling fabrics, what each one is used for, and expert answers to help you choose the right material.

Our Best-Selling Fabrics

The top 5 Blue Moon fabrics & how they're used

1Swimwear · Activewear

Matte Nylon Spandex

Best for: competitive and fashion swimwear, bikinis, one-piece suits, leggings, and leotards. Our #1 fabric — a smooth, non-shiny 4-way stretch nylon-spandex blend with outstanding recovery and chlorine resistance, so garments keep their shape wash after wash. Available in a full Classic Collection plus a dedicated Skin Tones & Neutrals range.

4-way stretchMatte finishChlorine resistantStrong recovery
Shop Matte Nylon Spandex →
2Dancewear · Costumes

Mystique Foiled Spandex

Best for: dance and skating costumes, gymnastics leotards, festival wear, and statement swimwear. A 4-way stretch spandex with a brilliant metallic foil finish that catches the light while keeping full stretch and recovery.

4-way stretchMetallic foilHigh shineStage-ready
Shop Mystique Foiled Spandex →
3Support · Linings · Shapewear

Power Mesh

Best for: support panels, linings, shapewear, breathable inserts, and sheer dance costume overlays. A lightweight, sheer, 4-way stretch mesh that reinforces and shapes without adding bulk.

4-way stretchSheer & breathableSupport layerLightweight
Shop Power Mesh →
4Activewear · Structured

Spacer Scuba Knit

Best for: sculpting leggings, sports bras, structured swimwear, and fashion pieces that need body. A double-knit spacer fabric with a cushioned hand and firm hold that smooths and supports.

Structured knitCompressiveShape-holdingCushioned hand
Shop Spacer Scuba Knit →
5Luxe · Statement

Deluxe Nylon Spandex Lurex

Best for: luxe swimwear, evening dancewear, and metallic-accent designs. A premium nylon-spandex woven with sparkling lurex threads for a subtle shimmer, combining reliable stretch and recovery with an elevated finish.

4-way stretchLurex shimmerPremium handStrong recovery
Shop Deluxe Lurex →
Common Questions

Fabric & sewing FAQ

What is the best fabric for swimwear?
Matte Nylon Spandex is the most popular swimwear fabric at Blue Moon Fabrics — a 4-way stretch nylon-spandex blend with strong recovery, a smooth matte finish, and excellent chlorine and saltwater resistance. For a metallic look, choose Mystique Foiled Spandex.
What fabric is best for activewear and leggings?
Spacer Scuba Knit and Matte Nylon Spandex are the top choices. Spacer Scuba Knit is a structured double-knit that sculpts and holds its shape for leggings and sports bras, while Matte Nylon Spandex gives 4-way stretch and moisture control.
What is Power Mesh used for?
Power Mesh is a lightweight, sheer, 4-way stretch fabric used for linings, support panels, shapewear, and breathable dance-costume overlays.
What is Mystique Foiled Spandex used for?
Mystique Foiled Spandex is a 4-way stretch spandex with a metallic foil finish, used for dance and skating costumes, gymnastics leotards, festival wear, and statement swimwear.
How much fabric do I need to make a swimsuit or leggings?
A one-piece swimsuit typically needs about 1 yard of 4-way stretch fabric, a bikini set about 0.5–0.75 yards, and full-length leggings about 1.25–1.5 yards, depending on size. Our free Pattern Maker calculates exact yardage automatically.
Does Blue Moon Fabrics offer custom patterns?
Yes — our free AI Pattern Maker creates a made-to-measure sewing pattern from your measurements, previews your design as a couture sketch, grades it into every size (XS–3X), and links to the exact fabric to buy.
What does 4-way stretch mean?
4-way stretch means the fabric stretches both horizontally and vertically and recovers to its original shape — essential for swimwear, activewear, and dancewear. All of our core swim and activewear fabrics are 4-way stretch.
How do I care for nylon spandex and swimwear fabric?
Hand wash in cold water with mild detergent, rinse after chlorine or saltwater exposure, and lay flat to dry. Avoid hot water, bleach, fabric softener, and machine drying.

Design it, preview it, get the pattern — and the fabric

Use our free AI Pattern Maker to turn your measurements into a made-to-measure sewing pattern, see it as a couture sketch, and buy the exact fabric to make it.

Try the Pattern Maker →

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