Here is the comprehensive product profile for your 1x1 Cotton Lycra Rib Fabric.
While the 2x1 rib is "chunky" and textured, the 1x1 Rib is finer, flatter, and more versatile for refined finishes and babywear.
Product Profile: 1x1 Premium Cotton Lycra Rib
Composition: 95-97% Premium Cotton / 3-5% Lycra (Elastane)
Weight: 180 – 240 GSM (Light-Medium to Heavyweight)
Weave: 1x1 Rib Knit (Double Jersey)
Certifications: BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) & GRS (Global Recycled Standard)
1. Key Features & Benefits
Fine "Micro-Elasticity":
The 1x1 construction (one knit, one purl) creates a much finer surface than 2x1 rib. It provides a subtle, sophisticated elasticity that creates a "second skin" fit without the bulky vertical ridges of heavier ribs.
Smooth & Printable Surface:
Because the texture is flatter, this rib is printable. Unlike 2x1 rib (where ink breaks in the deep grooves), 1x1 allows for screen prints or logos, making it ideal for branded neckbands or all-over print fitted tops.
Superior Shape Retention:
Essential for high-quality T-shirt necklines. The Lycra content ensures the collar snaps back to size after being stretched over the head, preventing the dreaded "bacon neck" (wavy collar) look.
Soft & Dense:
At 220-240 GSM, this fabric feels dense and high-quality, not flimsy. It is opaque enough to be used as a main body fabric, not just a trim.
2. Technical Specifications
Property
Value/Description
Construction
1x1 Rib (Fine Gauge, Alternate Wales)
GSM Range
180 – 240 g/m²
Stretch
4-Way Stretch (Excellent Recovery)
Composition
Typically 95% Cotton / 5% Lycra (or 96/4)
Texture
Fine vertical lines, flat appearance
Width
Tubular (Body Size) or Open Width
Handfeel
Smooth, buttery, less "grainy" than 2x1
3. Recommended Applications
Trims (The Industry Standard):
Neckbands: The #1 choice for T-shirt collars and Henley plackets. It lays flat against the collarbone.
Binding: Excellent for piping on tank tops and underwear leg openings.
Body Fabric (Fitted Apparel):
Baby Wear: The high stretch and soft cotton base make it perfect for onesies, rompers, and sleepsuits (accommodates diapers/movement).
Women’s Fitted Tees: Creates a slimming silhouette that follows the body's curves smoothly.
Underwear: Men’s briefs and women’s panties where breathability and close fit are paramount.
4. Sustainability & Compliance
Baby-Safe Standards:
Since 1x1 rib is heavily used in babywear, highlighting BCI Cotton (reduced chemical usage) is a major safety selling point for buyers.
GRS Certification:
Verifies the use of recycled materials (whether cotton or elastane) in the blend. This certification is increasingly required by European buyers for all components of a garment, including the trims/ribbing.
Efficiency:
1x1 Rib has less cutting waste than larger ribs as the pattern is tighter and easier to lay markers for.
5. Copywriting for Sales / Catalog
Headline: The Essential Edge: Fine Gauge 1x1 Cotton Lycra Rib.
Body Copy:
"Discover the foundational fabric of premium knitwear: our 1x1 Cotton Lycra Rib. Finer and smoother than the 2x1 variant, this fabric offers a sophisticated, understated texture with powerful engineering underneath.
With a weight range of 180-240 GSM and infused with high-grade Lycra, it delivers a 'second-skin' fit that moves with you. It is the definitive choice for smooth, non-gaping necklines, premium babywear, and fitted fashion tops that require a printable surface. Verified by BCI and GRS standards, it brings certified sustainability to the most essential part of your garment construction."