Fabric Testing

Fabrics can be classified by their structural characteristics. They are

divided into three main types:
Woven eg. Plain, twill, satin, jacquard
Knitted eg. Single knit, double knit, pile knit
Non-woven eg. Felts, webs, films
Each fabric type is suited to specific uses depending on their
characteristics.

In todays lesson we will be conducting various functional and

aesthetic tests to determine the suitability of fabrics to certain
uses.
Comfort
The aim is to determine if a fabric is a good or bad conductor of body heat
1. Wrap a piece of material over hand like a glove and use an elastic band to
secure.
2. Describe how your hand feels after:

2 minutes:_________________________________________
5 minutes:_________________________________________
Is your hand warm? Clammy? Comfortable?
3. Do a minute of vigorous hand movements. Describe how your hand feels.
___________________________________________________________

Why would the comfort of a fabric be important in fabric choice?

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Strength (wet and dry)

The aim is to determine how easy it is to tear a dry fabric and if it tears
differently when wet.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Cut 2 samples exactly the same size.

Wet and wring one sample
Make a small cut with scissors on each sample and attempt to tear.
Observe:

Is the fabric easy or difficult to tear when it is dry?

Is the fabric easier or harder to tear when it is wet?

Why would the strength of a material be important in fabric

choice?
________________________________________________________
Give an example of a garment/ clothing item that strength would
be important.
________________________________________________________

Fabric Glossary
Aesthetic features are the visual characteristics of a fabric. They are chosen
for to meet the aesthetic needs of the design. Some features include:
Lustre: The gloss, sheen or shine of a fabric.
Drape: The way a fabric hangs.

Durability is how well a fabric can withstand wear, pressure or damage.

Abrasion: The wearing away of fibre from rubbing
Resistance: The ability to not be affected by a factor; including water and
heat
Strength: Thisreferstothehowmuchweightthefiberscanbear.Some
fibers,likeflax,actuallygetstrongerwhenwet.

Comfort is how the fabric makes someone feel. It should bring relief to an
individual
Absorbency: Theabilityofafiberorfabrictoabsorbmoisture
Thermal Properties: The fabrics ability to conduct/ withhold heat.
Elasticity: Theabilitytoreturntoitsoriginallengthafterbeingstretched
orcompressed.Woolhasmoreelasticitythancotton,withfinerwools
stretchingupto30%oftheiroriginallength.

Dimensional stability is the ability of a material to maintain is essential or

original dimensions while being used for its intended purpose.

Care is the effort made to maintain a material/garment safely and correctly,

without causing damage
Effect of chemicals: adding a chemical; whether purposely or
unintentional and its affect. These can be both positive or negative. Some
chemicals can make materials heat resistant, water resistant or softer.
Others can break the fibres.
Colour Fastness:thepropertyofadye,toretainitsoriginalhue,when
handledundernormalconditionswhenexposedtolight,heat,orother
conditions
Shrink resistance: The ability of a fabric to not shrink or change its
dimensions in certain condition, common in a clothes dryer.