Often referred to in the market as Barbie fabric, super soft fabric, or super twill fabric, woven four-way stretch fabric offers both performance and aesthetics — without compromising the structured look that woven fabrics are known for.
This pillar guide is designed for fabric wholesalers, garment factories, fashion brands, designers, and sourcing managers who want a clear, practical understanding of woven four-way stretch fabric before purchasing.
Woven four-way stretch fabric is a woven (not knitted) textile that stretches both horizontally and vertically. Unlike traditional woven fabrics that only stretch in one direction — or not at all — this fabric is engineered through fiber blending and weave structure, rather than knitting.
Key characteristics:
Stretch in both warp and weft directions
Smooth surface with a structured hand feel
Excellent recovery and shape retention
Elegant drape suitable for fashion garments
This fabric is not designed for sportswear or activewear. Instead, it is ideal for garments that require a polished appearance with added comfort.
In international fabric markets, woven four-way stretch fabric may be marketed under different commercial names:
Barbie Fabric – Popular in women’s fashion, especially dresses and trousers, highlighting smoothness and elasticity
Super Soft Fabric – Emphasizes the soft hand feel and skin-friendly comfort
Super Twill Fabric – Refers to twill constructions that combine durability with four-way stretch
Although the names vary, they generally describe the same fabric category: double-layer or high-density woven four-way stretch textiles.
One of the most common sourcing mistakes is confusing woven four-way stretch fabric with knitted stretch fabric.
| Feature | Woven Four-Way Stretch | Knitted Fabric |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Woven | Knitted |
| Appearance | Structured, tailored | Casual, flexible |
| Use | Dresses, suits, trousers | Activewear, T-shirts |
| Shape retention | Excellent | Moderate |
| Typical buyers | Fashion brands, factories | Sportswear brands |
If your target products are formalwear, office wear, fashion dresses, or tailored pants, woven four-way stretch fabric is the correct choice.
Most woven four-way stretch fabrics are made using:
Polyester + Spandex
Rayon + Polyester + Spandex
Typical features include:
Double-layer construction for opacity and durability
Balanced stretch ratio for comfort without deformation
Breathable yet wrinkle-resistant surface
The inclusion of spandex allows flexibility, while polyester or rayon ensures strength, color fastness, and cost efficiency.
This fabric is widely used across mid-to-high-end fashion categories:
Women’s dresses and skirts
Tailored trousers and pants
Blazers and lightweight suits
Fashion uniforms
Designer collections
Because of its refined look, it is especially popular among fashion brands targeting global wholesale and retail markets.
From a sourcing perspective, this fabric offers multiple commercial advantages:
Higher garment value perception
Better fitting garments without complex pattern changes
Lower return rates due to comfort and stretch
Versatility across multiple garment styles
For wholesalers and factories, it also supports stable repeat orders due to consistent quality and broad market acceptance.
Most suppliers can offer:
Custom colors and dyeing
Different weights and stretch ratios
Twill or plain weave options
Stock service or made-to-order production
This flexibility makes woven four-way stretch fabric ideal for OEM and ODM garment manufacturing.
When sourcing woven four-way stretch fabric, professional buyers should evaluate:
Whether the fabric is truly woven, not knitted
Stretch recovery after repeated use
Fabric hand feel and drape
Consistency between batches
Experience with export markets
Reliable suppliers usually work closely with international fabric distributors and garment factories, rather than C-end retail buyers.
