After using it wrong, laundering it wrong, and choosing the wrong patterns, I figured out something that gave me a major Aha! moment! Rayon spandex fabric. It comes in some of the most beautiful prints, but I wasn’t sure how to use it properly. I’ve sewed several things using rayon spandex, and after some mistakes and successes plus lots of wear and tear, I thought I’d share my pattern suggestions for rayon spandex. (I’ve included several FREE ones!) And some laundry notes too.
Rayon Spandex Fabric Details
First of all, what is rayon spandex? It’s a blend of rayon and spandex! Usually 95% rayon and 5% spandex. It is very lightweight, and usually wrinkle resisted and crease resistant. It has beautiful drape. Rayon spandex usually is 59”-60” wide like most jersey fabrics. It’s very stretchy, usually has 4 way stretch (which means it stretches both vertically and horizontally) and the recovery is great (which means it doesn’t stay stretched out.) It’s soft and supple and forms to your curves. Rayon spandex is quite breathable and feels cool to the touch. It doesn’t pill over time, but does get a little hairy fuzz if you don’t launder it properly. It also can be difficult to hem due to it’s lightweight structure. This is easily remedied with Heat n Bond Soft Stretch.
Rayon Spandex Laundry Instructions
So how do you care for rayon spandex fabric? I would recommend pre-washing it like you plan to launder your finished garment. For me this means washing on cold. I do NOT recommend putting your rayon jersey in the dryer ever. This will immediately cause that little hairy fuzz I mentioned earlier. It doesn’t ruin the fabric, but there’s that fuzz.
Rayon Spandex Fabric Samples
Since rayon spandex comes in such a wide variety of prints (and solids too!) I thought I’d share some of the ones I’ve been loving recently.
Black & Peach floral rayon spandex on Amazon
Royal Blue Solid rayon spandex on Amazon
Black & White rayon spandex from JoAnn Fabrics
Printed indigo dye rayon spandex fabric from JoAnn Fabrics
Retro Floral Mauve rayon spandex fabric from Fabric.com
Yarn Dyed Stripes rayon spandex fabric from Fabric.com
Adult Pattern Suggestions for Rayon Spandex
Because of the unique properties of rayon spandex, I would not recommend using it for every pattern. Here are some pattern that I’ve either made using rayon spandex fabric, or know it would work with rayon spandex.
Durango Tank by Hey June Patterns (FREE)
Hampton Hoodie by Peekaboo Pattern Shop
As you can see, a Lane Raglan by Hey June Patterns works and is quite drape-y. If I use rayon spandex for this pattern again, I’ll leave off the bottom band and let the fabric drape.
Santa Fe Top (or dress!) by Hey June Patterns See our tutorial for making it into a dress here.
Seattle Skater Skirt by Peekaboo Pattern Shop
Syrah Skirt by Selvage Designs
Union St Tee by Hey June Patterns
Mountain Pose Pants by Hey June Patterns
Aurora Leggings by Hey June Patterns
Children’s Pattern Suggestions for Rayon Spandex
Adele 2 Tier Ruffle Skirt by Peekaboo Pattern Shop
Camden Raglan by Hey June Patterns Find our tutorial on how to make it into a dress here.
City Park Tee by Hey June Patterns
The 2 on the left are Eeny Meeny Miny Moe Dress by Peekaboo Pattern Shop and suitable for rayon spandex fabric.
Rosemary Raglan by Peekaboo Pattern Shop
Spunky Girl Skater Skirt by Peekaboo Pattern Shop
Gretchen Cardigan by Violette Field Threads
Lollipop Leggings by Peekaboo Pattern Shop
Monkey Bar Skirt by Hey June Patterns (FREE)
Uptown Downtown Dress by Sew Straight & Gather
Woodstock Swing Tee by Hey June Patterns (FREE)
Whew! That’s quite a lot of information about rayon spandex! Leave us a comment now. Have you ever sewn with rayon spandex? Did we forget any information?
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Skirt Fixation 
What stitches do you use when sewing this fabric? I can’t seem to find it in the article
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A stretch stitch (or a zigzag stitch) is the best option. Also, be sure you are using a ballpoint or stretch needle for beautiful results!
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Thank you, this was super helpful!
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I love rayon spandex and sew with it all the time for my business , but would have to definitely disagree that it doesn’t pill. Even when washing on gentle and hang drying, normal wear always causes pilling in it.
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Informative article- thank you! I am brand new to sewing with knits. Is Rayon Spandex a good one to start with, or does it crawl or slip around (while sewing it)?
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Thank you Joy! I wouldn’t recommend rayon spandex for a beginner unless you’re sewing a very simple pattern. For a beginner, I’d recommend a cotton spandex from a good quality supplier like Raspberry Creek Fabrics or Art Gallery Fabrics.
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I’m looking for a knit for a pattern of a wrap dress. It recommends a knit with vertical stretch of 20%. Otherwise it says the bodice could be pulled down too low by the weight of the skirt. What knit would you recommend? I found a knit in rayon spandex in a beautiful pattern but from your article I’m not sure it would work. Any recommendations?
Joan
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Rayon spandex would probably not be a good fit for that pattern. Maybe try a blend that has the majority of the content cotton.
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