Bubble Up
Your Style
3D designs with a wow factor made on HKS 4-M EL ECO: When crepe, ruffles, and sheer fabrics redefine fashion
Learn more
Seersucker, flip-flap items, Fırfır, or crepe materials: structured fabrics have long been more than just a passing trend. They lend timeless looks depth, dynamism, and an exciting tactile dimension. Whether classic striped patterns or modern solid-color interpretations, these versatile pieces pair perfectly with casual and business-casual outfits and effortlessly create a modern look.
This article is about:
KARL MAYER’s textile product development team demonstrates just how exciting it can be to rethink structure with a collection of innovative Advanced Bubble fabrics. With their original and striking 3D effects, these extraordinary fabrics are sure to turn heads and transform even simple silhouettes into true statement pieces.
A defining feature is the vertical ruffled stripes that seem to float above a delicate, transparent background. The unique look is created by the sophisticated interplay of different structures: an airy, lightweight ground with a subtle ribbed texture sets the stage for textile stripes in a trendy crinkled look, which appear on the surface like artfully appliquéd ribbons. The result is an exciting interplay of transparency, texture, and movement.
These trendy outerwear fabrics can be produced on an HKS 4-M EL ECO. The ground bars GB 3 and GB 4 create separate wide and narrow fabric strips using a special yarn threading and targeted lappings – GB 3 pillar stitch and GB 4 inlay lap under three needles. GB 2 connects these segments using a zigzag pattern created with a polyamide-elastane corespun yarn. In this process, part of the narrow fabric strip is folded over to the loop head side, creating the characteristic ruffle effect. GB 1 decorates the wide fabric strip with flexible designs. This ground bar uses the same yarn as GB 2 to create three-dimensional effects and the same thread count to minimize warping efforts.
GB 3 and GB 4 create separate wide and narrow fabric strips using a special yarn threading and targeted lappings. GB 2 connects these segments using a zigzag pattern created with a polyamide-elastane corespun yarn.
A particular highlight was the presentation of these innovative bubble fabrics at ITM 2026 in Istanbul. There, the HKS 4-M EL ECO impressively demonstrated how creative crepe-on-crepe effects and transparent lightness can be combined to achieve fabrics with genuine runway potential.
Curious about the patterning options for the HKS 4-M EL ECO?
Senior Expert Textile Development Markus Otte from the KARL MAYER TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER looks forward to answering your questions:
Markus.Otte@karlmayer.com
Cover picture AI generated
Registernow for free to get access to more interesting content
How spacer fabrics could triple production in strawberry plants
Register now
Long John puts KARL MAYER's RDJ 7/3 into operation and strengthens its position as a market leader
Register now
90 Years of Innovation. Celebrating the Value of Textiles
Register now- HKS-3-M EL, 330" – the output champion in its class
-
Three Stages, Multiple Customer Benefits:
KARL MAYER during
ITMA ASIA 2026 -
Bubble Up
Your Style -
RDJ 6/2 in E 32: Finesse
in Motion - Small stitches, big Impact
- “BLUE INSTINCT”
- Driving Footwear Innovation
-
The new RDJ 7/3 defines
the design footprint
of modern
athletic shoes - HKS 4-S EL: The world’s fastest and most flexible four-bar short-stroke tricot machines
-
More Jacquard.
More functionality.
More More fashion. - Warp knitted fabrics – indispensable players on the football pitch
-
KARL MAYER‘s
ITM Feedback:
Better Than Expected -
KARL MAYER's HKS 2-SE Expands Possibilities
for Premium
Stretch WARP KNITS -
Revolutionary
eyelash lace with 4-way stretch - Jasmine Knitting sets new benchmark in Spacer Fabrics with KARL MAYER Technology and A.T.E. Expertise
-
The Fastest Path
from Yarn to
Champion Shoes - TM WEFT, 270" – More width, more design freedom for the fashion world
- Soft. Warp Knitted. Made for snuggling and relaxing
-
RS 2 Net exceeds
speed benchmarks in
shade net Production - EMPOWERED PLAY
- Driving WARP KNIT Inspiration
- KARL MAYER during Techtextil: Textile game changers in Hall 12.0/B79 and the opening of a TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER in Obertshausen
- Cellulose fibres reimagined in warp knitting
- Brilliant new looks
-
Proven performance, optimised costs –
the new RE 6 EL - Modern curtains with a striped look
- Live more beautifully and comfortably with Warp Knits
- More speed. More patterns. More profit: two new HKS EL machines secure the lead
- Movement without gears. Patterning without limits.
- India becomes growth engine for the warp knitting industry
-
One machine,
double output -
High style meets
high speed at
ITMA ASIA 2025 -
All-round support,
easy access - Move your business forward – with two new tricot machines
-
Reorientation and
a strong trade fair presence - From Harvest Helper to Lifesaver
- Gliding through clouds with the On by FKA twigs capsule collection
-
Odlo launches
limited edition
Run the Future
collection -
3D warp-knitted
textiles – a new
dimension in sound insulation -
Universal and
an eye-catcher,
the SCOTT
Pursuit Ride 2 - High-performance machines for the Technical Textial Sector in North America
-
20 years of KAMCOS®
and pioneering in
warp knitting
machine control -
Lightweight material
for a difficult task - Machine family for the production of high-performance stone bags
- Setting course for investment in Vietnam
-
3D crinkle look with
a feminine touch - Controlling the service life
- Using warp knitting technology to create high-quality sportswear for everyone in India
- More convenience and safety in net production
- Learning for working life
- Starting the year from pole position
-
“Big C” with a small environmental
impact - Warp knits for ice princesses and princes
-
High-performance
warp knitting machines
for Heimtextil guests - Care Solutions now with even more benefits and ease of use
- Top Circular Knitting Company invests in Tricot Machines
- A machine for summiteers
- More business with composites, greater efficiency in warp knitting with weft insertion
- New double raschel machine impresses with its price-performance ratio
-
Brilliant fabric appearance,
highly filigree
pattern design -
Successful warp knitting machines and textile
show to master the changes of our time -
One step
ahead in
sun protection - Convincing presentation, intensive discussions, agreed projects
- ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024 - springboard for new customer projects
- Benefit from the growing trend for sun protection
- Investing in sizing technology from KARL MAYER
-
Successful start
to the trade fair -
Machine premiere and new business potential
for Technical Textiles - What’s new in warp knitting?
-
Pulling out all the
stops when it comes
to wearing comfort -
In close pursuit of
the Leavers look - Net pioneer on course for expansion
- New Power net production machine sets standards in terms of price-performance ratio
-
Defence is worthwhile, especially in the case
of product piracy! - Rethinking civil engineering business with warp-knitted fabrics with weft insertion and non-crimp fabrics
- Lots of visitors, good discussions, a look at the trends
- New business momentum for the Turkish warp knitting industry
-
First energy efficiency solution
for warp knitting
machines -
Electrifying
opportunities for new
business potential - Green prospects for composites
-
Being
on the right track - KARL MAYER TURKEY appoints General Manager
- Just as important as a threading hook!
- Successful start for a four-bar high-speed all-rounder in the tricot market
- Innovations with push effects
- Flexibility makes the difference
- New TEXTRONIC® Lace for the most Leavers-like lace in warp knitting
- Taking off with more speed and flexibility in the tricot machine sector
- Moving closer together in uncertain times
- First-hand knowledge provided on site
- New multifunctional RASCHELTRONIC® expands market opportunities
- Skin protection the textile way
- Stronger together
- Innovations – more than just inventions
- A company shows its colours
- Vehicle interiors undergo change
- Platform for knowledge exchange in India
- Net capable
- Spacer fabrics for the automotive future
- Naturally beautiful
- Fabric trends at the top level
- service4you
- A machine that KARL MAYER is proud of
- Flexible in all directions, comfortable for any occasion
- Networks for a good urban climate
- A visit to the industry leader
- Mastering a hairy affair
- Celebrate beauty by lace
- SUIT YOURSELF
- An ITMA that exceeded all expectations
- Raschel machines with more diversity and a digital generation HKS with performance upgrade
- Flexible warp knitting machine with weft insertion and more
- Introducing new swimwear fabric for circularity
- High up with green nets
- KARL MAYER GROUP and Lenzing Group collaborate
- Staying one step ahead together
- Direct approach in Indonesia
- Fishnets from a real insider
- Keep cool on hot nights
- Performance warp knits are bringing the future to the piste
- From old to new
- Train on site, maximise benefits
- From the machine to the printing table
- Beastly good imitation fur
- Lace that spices up our lives
- A Market in Motion
- HI-TECH CROCHET – skin- friendly magic
- Warp knitting expertise for the USA
- Textile impulses for the future
- Added value through addition
- Saving energy through warp knitting
- Next generation bio-derived LYCRA® fiber
- Collections that provide FURORE
- “Clothes maketh the man”
- Customised, cost-effective implant solutions
- Warp knitting between market shifts and climate change
- More lapping variety, more shape power
- Organic is sexy
- Greater variety of widths for more precise market tailoring
- Seducer with environmental awareness
- Two styles, one look
- Full service packages for machine operation
- Warp-knitted textiles always cut a fine figure
- Efficient technology package for plaster grid production
- Warp knitting 4.0
- Speed PLUS variety in elastane processing
- Fit for the terry cloth market
- Comfortable and sustainable
- Made for you
- Dissolving design boundaries
- Beautiful and comfortable
- Colourful fun on the beach and by the pool