Fabric with nonlinear elastic properties have applications in arterial grafts and shoestrings. Blend fabrics with fibrous constituents that provide contrasting elastic properties can meet the complex load performance requirements for these end uses. Nonlinear elastic behavior in blended fabrics results fro nonlinear behavior of yarns, differences in the mechanical response of the yarns, or spatial rearrangement of the yarns under load. A study of geometric deformation at different loads resulted in a numerical model of the response of braided blend fabrics under tensile load. The model predicts load response of blend fabrics based on yarn properties. 8 refs.