125 gsm single jersey nylon spandex fabric for swimwear (Item Code: B007) is a lightweight, high-stretch weft-knitted fabric engineered for close-fitting performance wear, swimwear, and yoga apparel. Composed of 80% Nylon and 20% Spandex with a standard width of 150CM, this fabric utilizes a 46-gauge ultra-high density circular knit structure and Draw Textured Yarn (DTY) to deliver a soft, bulky, and skin-friendly texture with a gentle matte finish. Nylon provides strength, abrasion resistance and good elastic recovery, while the 20% Spandex content ensures high stretch with strong elastic recovery, making it a highly suitable option for premium swimwear, lightweight activewear, and seamless underwear.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Technical Details |
|---|---|---|
| Item Code | B007 | Factory model designation |
| Description | Single Jersey | Weft-knitted single jersey structure |
| GSM | 125G/M2 | Lightweight class |
| Width | 150CM | Standard width |
| Knitting | Weft | 46-gauge ultra-high needle spacing |
| Composition | 80% Nylon / 20% Spandex | High-stretch configuration |
Are you looking to verify the hand-feel and stretch of this lightweight fabric? to test it in your design lab.
The DTY Advantage: Bulkiness and Soft Next-to-Skin Comfort
Draw Textured Yarn (DTY) is the core technical element that defines the exceptionally soft, bulky, and skin-friendly texture of the B007 125 gsm nylon spandex single jersey fabric. Unlike flat, stiff Fully Drawn Yarn (FDY), DTY is produced by drawing and false-twisting Partially Oriented Yarn (POY) to create a three-dimensional helical crimp structure. This physical crimp allows the yarn to trap more air, giving the finished 125 gsm single jersey fabric for swimwear a loftier, bulkier hand-feel and a soft, diffuse-reflective matte appearance rather than a harsh mirror-like shine.
Comparison: DTY vs. FDY Performance in Fine Knits
| Feature | DTY (Used in B007) | FDY |
|---|---|---|
| Hand-Feel | Soft, bulky, and plush | Stiff and smooth |
| Elasticity | High, with crimp-induced recovery up to ~30% | Low, with recovery around ~5% |
| Loftiness | Excellent air-trapping capacity | Standard |
| Appearance | Spun-like look with soft diffuse reflection | Smooth, uniform, mirror-like reflection |
| Tensile Strength | Moderate | High (15–20 cN/dtex higher than DTY) |
Nylon DTY fibers naturally provide excellent elasticity, fluffiness, and a texture resembling spun yarn, making them highly suitable for next-to-skin garments like seamless underwear, activewear, and swimwear. Nylon offers strength, abrasion resistance and good elastic recovery, ensuring the fabric stands up to repeated wear while remaining gentle on the skin.
If your product line requires a softer, more premium touch than standard nylon knits, to discuss how our DTY formulation enhances garment comfort.
46-Gauge Knitting: Ultra-High Density and Fine Surface Structure
The 46-gauge circular knitting process used for the B007 125 gsm single jersey fabric for swimwear represents the highest tier of fine-gauge textile manufacturing. By utilizing 46 needles per inch on the circular knitting bed—well above the standard high-density threshold of 30 needles per inch—this weft-knitting technique packs more yarn into every millimeter of fabric. This ultra-high gauge density produces an incredibly fine, smooth, and compact surface texture with no visible yarn intersection marks, resulting in a lightweight, breathable, yet highly durable material.
Technical Performance of 46-Gauge Knits
- Ultra-Fine Texture: The fabric surface is exceptionally smooth and clear, providing a premium visual aesthetic and minimizing friction against the skin.
- Lightweight Compactness: At 125G/M2, the fabric achieves a thin, breathable profile without sacrificing structural integrity, making it feel like a "second skin."
- Process Considerations: Operating 46-gauge machinery requires strict temperature and humidity control in the knitting workshop. It also demands a 15% to 20% reduction in machine rotation speed and increases parts replacement frequency by approximately 30% compared to standard machines. Additionally, combining a 46-gauge setup with a high 20% spandex ratio requires precise tension control to prevent loop deformation in the elastic covered yarn.
Need to evaluate the fabric density and surface smoothness? to review the structural parameters of our 46-gauge knit.
80/20 High-Stretch Composition: Built for Active Compression
The 80% Nylon and 20% Spandex composition of B007 represents a high-stretch configuration engineered to provide both compression potential and structural durability. This specific ratio sits at the upper limit of the standard 10% to 20% spandex range for activewear, placing B007 firmly in the high-stretch support category suitable for high-performance swimwear, gymnastics wear, and yoga apparel. Nylon provides the essential strength, abrasion resistance and good elastic recovery, while the 20% Spandex content delivers high stretch with strong elastic recovery to maintain garment shape over time.
With 20% Spandex, this fabric meets the industry benchmark for compression garments, which typically require at least 15% spandex to deliver effective muscle support and body shaping. The 80% Nylon matrix acts as a robust, wear-resistant framework; nylon's abrasion resistance is approximately 10 times that of cotton and 20 times that of wool. When stretched by 3% to 6%, nylon achieves a 100% elastic recovery rate, allowing the fabric to withstand tens of thousands of flexes without fiber breakage. This makes the 80/20 blend highly resilient against chlorine water exposure and high-intensity friction during active use.
To see how this 80/20 blend performs under tension, for your wear-testing and prototyping.
125 G/M2 Lightweight Balance and Transparency Considerations
At 125G/M2, the B007 single jersey fabric for swimwear occupies the transition zone between ultra-lightweight (80–120 g/m²) and standard lightweight (130–170 g/m²) performance fabrics. This precise weight profile delivers a highly breathable, weightless feel that is ideal for hot-weather activewear and summer swimwear. While it offers more coverage and opacity than ultra-thin 105g fabrics, its lightweight nature means that light colors or highly stretched states should be verified for transparency during the garment design phase.
Weight Class and Application Guide
| GSM Range | Characteristics | Primary Applications |
|---|---|---|
| 80–120 G/M2 | Ultra-lightweight, sheer, maximum stretch | Competitive swimwear, lightweight base layers |
| 130–170 G/M2 | Lightweight, balanced stretch and recovery | Regular swimwear, yoga wear, active tops |
| 180–220 G/M2 | Midweight, balanced compression and comfort | Active leggings, athletic shorts |
The 125G/M2 weight of B007 provides an excellent balance: it is light enough to allow rapid sweat evaporation and low water absorption, yet dense enough (thanks to the 46-gauge weave) to maintain a secure fit. For brands designing competitive swimwear or summer yoga tops, this weight provides the "second skin" sensation without the bulk of heavier 180–220g fabrics. However, product developers should conduct opacity and sheer-testing when utilizing pastel or white colorways under high-elongation conditions.
Want to test the opacity of B007 in your specific colorways? in our available color lab dips.
Case Studies
Case 1: High-End Lightweight Activewear (Benchmarking Art. No. C302-61)
A premium activewear brand developed a line of lightweight, vibrant, and moisture-wicking active shirts using a fabric homologous to B007. The fabric featured an 80% Nylon / 20% Spandex composition, a weight of 120G (highly comparable to B007's 125G/M2), a width of 150CM, and a 30D+20D DTY yarn configuration. The soft, bulky DTY yarn provided excellent next-to-skin comfort, while the high spandex content offered flexible movement.
- Parameter Match: This application matches B007's 80% Nylon / 20% Spandex composition, 150CM width, and lightweight 125G/M2 profile.
- Action: for your lightweight activewear lines.
- Source: Comparable Industry Specification (Art. No. C302-61)
Case 2: Summer Yoga Wear and Lightweight Tanks
A fast-growing athleisure brand utilized a 125GSM nylon spandex lightweight knit fabric to produce summer yoga wear, T-shirts, and tanks. The 125G/M2 weight provided a weightless, highly breathable feel, while the weft-knitted single jersey construction ensured smooth drape and quick-dry performance during low-to-medium impact workouts.
- Parameter Match: This product utilized the exact 125G/M2 weight and nylon-spandex single jersey construction of B007.
- Action: to test B007 for summer yoga collections.
- Source: Industry Application Benchmark (125GSM Lightweight Yoga Knit)
Case 3: Training Wear and Holiday Swimwear
A swimwear brand transitioned its training wear and holiday swimwear collections from a heavier 135gsm fabric to a 125G/M2 weft-knitted nylon spandex fabric (similar to B007) to achieve a lighter, faster-drying garment. The 80/20 nylon-spandex blend provided the necessary chlorine resistance and high stretch with strong elastic recovery, while the 150CM width optimized fabric yield during cutting.
- Parameter Match: This application aligns with B007's 125G/M2 weight, 80% Nylon / 20% Spandex composition, and 150CM width.
- Action: to compare it against your current swimwear fabrics.
- Source: Industry Application Benchmark (125-135gsm Swimwear Knit)
Application Scenarios
The unique combination of an 80/20 high-stretch ratio, DTY softness, 46-gauge ultra-fine knit, and a 125G/M2 lightweight profile makes B007 highly suitable for the following next-to-skin and high-flexibility applications:
- Swimwear & Resort Wear: The 80/20 ratio provides high stretch with strong elastic recovery, making it highly resilient against chlorine water and friction.
- Yoga Apparel & Active Wear Tops: The 125G/M2 weight and soft DTY texture offer a lightweight, breathable, and skin-friendly feel.
- Seamless & Next-to-Skin Underwear: The 46-gauge ultra-fine knit and fluffy DTY yarn structure prevent chafing and provide a luxurious touch.
- Dance & Ballet Practice Wear: Excellent four-way stretch conforms perfectly to body movements.
Not Recommended for: High-compression athletic leggings (which typically require 180–280g fabrics) or structured garments requiring rigid draping.
to confirm if B007 matches your specific garment design requirements.
FAQ
What is the hand-feel difference between B007 and standard FDY fabrics?
B007 offers a much softer, loftier, and bulkier hand-feel with a gentle matte finish, whereas FDY fabrics are stiffer, flatter, and have a shiny, mirror-like reflection. This is because B007 uses Draw Textured Yarn (DTY) with a three-dimensional helical crimp structure that traps more air.
Is B007 prone to transparency or sheer issues due to its 125G/M2 weight?
Yes, while the 46-gauge ultra-high density knit provides excellent coverage compared to lighter 105g fabrics, B007 may still present transparency risks in light colors or under high-elongation conditions. We recommend conducting opacity testing on light-colored samples before bulk production.
How durable is B007 against wear and chlorine in swimwear applications?
B007 is highly durable because its 80% Nylon composition provides outstanding strength and abrasion resistance (10 times that of cotton), while the 20% Spandex ensures high stretch with strong elastic recovery. This combination allows the fabric to withstand chlorine exposure and repeated friction without losing shape.
What are the manufacturing challenges associated with B007's 46-gauge knit?
The 46-gauge ultra-high density setup requires precise tension control to prevent loop deformation in the elastic covered yarn. It also reduces knitting machine speed by 15% to 20% and increases parts replacement frequency by approximately 30%, which requires strict factory environment controls.
if you have additional technical questions about our manufacturing processes.
Ordering & Customization
We provide comprehensive B2B support for global apparel brands and sourcing offices. Our 125 GSM Single Jersey Nylon Spandex Fabric (Item Code: B007) is manufactured under strict quality standards to ensure consistent stretch, recovery, and colorfastness.
- Sample Swatches: Available upon request to verify the 46-gauge texture and DTY softness.
- Width & Yield: The 150CM width provides excellent cutting efficiency for standard swimwear and activewear markers.
- Technical Assistance: Our team can assist in evaluating colorways, stretch parameters, and care instructions to match your brand's specifications.
Ready to take the next step? of our high-gauge nylon spandex fabrics or today to begin your testing.
Written by Wenruo
Textile Engineer, Forall Lab