Spandex (Elastane) Yarn for
Loungewear.

GSM Range

• Lightweight loungewear tops and shorts (warmer climates): 140–165 GSM (3–5% spandex, 20D–30D) • Standard loungewear sets (t-shirts, joggers, shorts): 160–185 GSM (4–6% spandex, 20D–40D) • Premium loungewear bottoms and mid-weight sets: 180–210 GSM (5–8% spandex, 30D–40D) • Thick loungewear (heavyweight joggers, winter lounge sets): 230–280 GSM (French terry or fleece, 5–8% spandex) • Waistband and cuff rib constructions: Typically 200–240 GSM (8–12% spandex in rib structure specifically)

Yarn Count

• Cotton component: 30s–40s Ne (ring-spun preferred for softness; combed cotton eliminates short fibres that cause early pilling) • Modal component: 40s–60s Ne (modal's finer staple allows higher yarn counts for smoother hand feel) • Bamboo/Tencel component: 40s–60s Ne • Spandex component: 20D–40D bare (low inclusion body fabric); 40D–70D covered (waistbands and cuffs)

Knit Construction

• Single jersey (cotton-spandex or modal-spandex): Standard for tops, lightweight bottoms — softest hand feel, lightest weight, adequate drape • Interlock (cotton-spandex): More structured, better opacity for fitted loungewear shorts and slim bottoms — two-sided, same face on both sides • 1x1 rib: Collar and neckband applications, lighter waistbands on drawstring styles • 1x2 or 2x2 rib: Waistbands and cuffs where elastic recovery is primary requirement — higher spandex inclusion (8–12%) in rib construction specifically • French terry (cotton-spandex): Reverse-loop pile on inner face — premium joggers and lounge pants, 230–280 GSM, excellent moisture absorption and warmth • Slub jersey: Intentional texture variation — popular in elevated basics positioning, 95/5 cotton-spandex in 30s Ne slub

Shrinkage

• Cotton-spandex single jersey (pre-shrunk): 4–6% length, 2–3% width after first home wash at 30°C • Modal-spandex single jersey: 3–5% length, 1–2% width (modal's higher wet stability limits shrinkage) • Cotton-spandex without pre-shrinking (sanforization): 8–12% length — unacceptable; sanforizing or bio-washing is non-negotiable in loungewear production • French terry cotton-spandex: 5–8% length, 3–4% width (higher-GSM constructions shrink more absolutely) Pre-shrinking via sanforization (mechanical compaction) or bio-washing (enzymatic treatment for cotton) must be specified — not assumed. Confirm with mill that pre-shrinking is included in the finishing protocol, not treated as an optional step.

Pilling Resistance

• Combed cotton-spandex single jersey: 3–4/5 Martindale (combing removes short fibres that pill) • Ring-spun cotton-spandex: 2–3/5 (acceptable for premium pricing only with combed cotton) • Modal-spandex: 4/5 (modal's longer staple and finer count significantly reduces pilling tendency) • Bamboo viscose-spandex: 2–3/5 (bamboo viscose is soft but pills earlier than modal — a genuine trade-off) • Tencel-spandex: 3–4/5

Colorfastness

• Reactive-dyed cotton-spandex, wash fastness (ISO 105-C06): 3–4 • Reactive-dyed modal-spandex: 4–5 (modal takes reactive dyes more deeply due to higher absorption) • Light fastness (ISO 105-B02): 3–4 for cotton-spandex (loungewear sees less UV than outdoor wear, acceptable) • Rubbing fastness (dry/wet): 4/3–4 for reactive dyes on cotton-spandex • Differential fading test (spandex areas vs base fibre areas): Must be run at lab-dip stage — spandex and cotton can fade at different rates, causing visible differential in wear.

Tensile Strength

• Cotton-spandex single jersey (160–180 GSM): 120–180 N/5cm (ISO 13934-1) • Modal-spandex single jersey (same GSM): 140–200 N/5cm (modal's higher tenacity improves fabric strength) • French terry cotton-spandex: 200–280 N/5cm • Seam strength (overlock, 300 stitches/min): 80–120 N for loungewear constructions (lower stress application than sportswear)

MOQ Guidance

• Standard cotton-spandex (95/5) single jersey, stock colours: 300–600 kg per colour (lower than sportswear due to simpler construction) • Modal-spandex in custom colours: 500–1,000 kg per colour (modal yarn is more specialised, mills require higher minimums to justify dyehouse batches) • French terry cotton-spandex: 700–1,200 kg per colour (heavier construction = shorter metreage per kg, higher minimums to hit garment unit targets) • Waistband rib in matching colour: 100–200 kg minimum (typically ordered alongside body fabric in combined purchase orders)