Fabric Properties
Performance properties
Judges fabric by how it behaves in wear and care: absorbency, strength, elasticity, drape, thermal insulation, crease recovery, shrinkage and flammability. Natural cellulose fibres absorb well but crease; synthetics are strong and quick-drying but pill and hold odour. Wool insulates and resists creasing but felts with heat and agitation.
Aesthetic and handle properties
Lustre, texture, weight, stiffness and colour retention influence design choice. Handle is assessed by touch - a candidate should link a property to a garment use rather than list properties in isolation.
Traps
- Confusing absorbency (moisture uptake) with wicking (transport of moisture).
- Claiming all synthetics are weak - polyester and nylon are strong.
- Forgetting that blends average out weaknesses.
- Ignoring the end use: a swimsuit needs chlorine resistance and low absorbency, not warmth.
Testing properties
Simple school tests include the burn test (cellulose burns like paper, protein smells of burnt hair, synthetics melt), the absorbency drop test, and a shrinkage wash trial. Always state the variable controlled and how the result is measured.
Rule of thumb
Match property to function: absorbent next to skin, strong at stress points, elastic at movement areas. Worked example: for sports leggings choose a nylon/elastane knit - strong, elastic, quick-drying - rather than cotton jersey, which sags and stays damp.