Power Mesh
shapewear, activewear panels, linings, sheer overlays
Power mesh is a nylon-spandex warp knit built as a fine, sheer net. It is light, usually 100 to 160 g/m², but the warp-knit construction gives it strength out of proportion to its weight. The defining trait is compression: it has four-way stretch with firm, high-recovery snapback, so it holds tension against the body without collapsing or going slack. That combination of sheerness and control is why it works as an inner support layer rather than a face fabric.
The mesh does not fray or ravel, so cut edges can be left raw, and its open structure means seams should be flat and low-bulk. Sew with a ballpoint or stretch needle, 75/11, and a zigzag or overlock so the stitch stretches with the cloth; a serger with woolly nylon in the loopers gives soft, stretchy seams that sit flat against skin. Because the knit is directional, cut so the greater stretch runs where the compression is needed, usually around the body rather than up and down. Handle it under low tension at the machine, since the sheer net can be pushed into the needle plate; a straight-stitch plate or tissue under the seam helps. Keep heat off it entirely, as nylon and spandex both degrade fast under a hot iron.
Power mesh suits shapewear, activewear support panels, garment linings, and sheer overlays where you want strong hold or a see-through layer that still stretches. It is often paired inside a heavier stretch fabric to add structure without adding visible bulk.