inextended state in order to assist in determining when the required longitudinal extension of the bandage 200 has been attained a further indicator thread 220 is interlaced through loops 140 at points a and b on the bandage 200 which lie along a line defining the direction of longitudinal extension of the bandage 200 thread 220 is held in fixed relation to substrate 110 loops 140 are sewn into substrate 110 and are in a spaced linear relationship to one another they are sufficiently large so that thread 220 is able to slide through them along the longitudinal direction in a substantially unimpeded manner loops 140 aid in keeping thread 220 in close proximity to substrate 110 and thus aid in avoiding snagging as might occur if thread 220 were not constrained between points a and b turning now to fig5 the section of bandage 200 shown in the fig4 is shown in a state in which it is extended longitudinally by the required amount thread 220 now is taut and flat against upper surface 230 of substrate 110 and forms a straight line configuration between points a and b this can be easily seen by a person applying the bandage since thread 220 is colored to contrast against substrate 110 thread 220 may be formed of relatively inextendable material which breaks at tensions just above the tension in which the pre determined degree of stretching of the fabric is attained e g thin cotton thread alternatively it may be an elastic material which is capable of a limited degree of further extension and which thus indicates a range of extensions of the bandage referring now to fig6 a further indicator is shown which is a cotton thread.