PAGE 8
-XL,
THE YANCEY JOURNAL APRIL 8, 1976
mkHomemakers:Fabric Performance
BY JOYCE A. WATTS
Ain't Home Ec. Agent
Before you buy....Learii how
to predict fabric performance.
There are 4 factors to keep in
mind before you buy fabric in
order to predict fabric per
formance and avoid later,
disappointment. The 4 factors
are: appearance, comfort,
durability and care required.
How and where the fabric
will be used or worn will
determine the relative im
portance of each factor. For
instance, appearance may be
the deciding factor when
selecting an evening dress
while the amount of care
required will be the more
important consideration when
choosing childrens play
clothes.
APPEARANCE
Wrinkle Resistance-Resilien
cy is an important factor in
appearance. Wrinkle resis
tance is determined by a
number of things, including
Fiber Content-Generally, ny
lon, polyester, acrylic, tri
acetate and blends containing
a predominance of these
fibers are more resilient than
untreated cotton or linen.
Fabric Construction-Knit fa
brics are usually more wrinkle
resistant than woven fabrics.
Finish—Permanent press is
the most widely used finish
that affects fabric perfor
mance. The application of »
chemical resin and heat-set
ting process is usually applied
to a blend of cotton and a
synthetic fiber to assure
wrinkle resistance. Garments
of 100% synthetic fiber are
naturally resilient and do not
require a finish for wrinkle
resistance. Permanent press
finishes lessen the durability
and wear life of fabrics.
Creases, edges such as collar
points and cuffs, and areas of
abrasion may show wear by
fraying, losing color or piling.
Colorfastness-If an article
is two-tone or is multi-colored
containing both light and
bright colors, check the label
for care information and/or a
statement that the article is
colorfast. Bright or dark
colors should usually be
washed alone the first time
they are laundered. If trim is
not detachable, both trim and
garment fabric should be
colorfast and compatible in
required care.
COMFORT
Garments should be com
fortable as well as attractive.
Comfort can be affected by a
number of things. Fit is
important, as it affects not
only how garments look but
also how comfortable you feel
wearing them. If a garment
has a permanent press finish
or heat-set creases, make sure
it fits since it is often
impossible to remove pre
vious creases after alteration.
Consider how active you will
be wearing the garment
walking, bending, sitting or
reaching-to decide if the fit is
acceptable. Stretch -fabrics
that stretch are often prefer
red for active children or
adults because they allow
greater freedom of move
ment. Comfort of stretch
fabrics may be due to elastic
fibers, textured yarn structure
or fabric construction. When
purchasing a garment in
which the stretch factor is
important, check for the
direction it stretches. Some
fabrics stretch both ways,
others only across grain
(usually across the body.)
ABSORBENCY
Absorbency is a character
istic that affects wearing
comfort as well as functional
value. Absorbent fibers such
as cotton or linen feel
comfortable on hot days as
well as in humid climates
because they absorb perspira
tion. For some home furnish
ings items, towels for exam
|)fo, absorbency is of prime
importance. Most synthetic
fibers are nonabsorbent and
may be uncomfortable in
warmer temperatures. How
ever textured yarns, blends
with absorbent fibers, or
loose, open construction that
allows air to circulate through
the fabric will improve com
fort. Static electricity may
built up in nonabsorbent
fabrics,-causing the fabric to
cling to the body and attract
lint and soil. Adding fabric
softener to the final rinse in
an automatic washer when
laundering nonabsorbent fab
rics will minimize static
buildup. Fiber modification
and special finishes that
eliminate static ding have
been developed and are
identified on attached labels
and hangtags.
DURABILITY
Durability can determine
the suitability of a particular
fabric for a specific purpose.
Items for special occasions
may be used or worn
infrequently and need not be
as durable as work apparel,
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children’s clothing or active
sportswear. “Pilling”-Dur
able fabrics start with strong
fibers. (Read Hangtags and
Labels for Fiber Content).
Most synthetic fibers are
more durable than the natural
fibers. Synthetic fibers are
often combined with the
weaker natural fibers to add
wear life to the article.
Because natural fibers are
weaker, they produce lint by
breakmg and coming loose
from the fabric. Synthetic
fibers are stronger and rather
than breaking off in the form
of lint, the fiber ends roll up
on the surface of the fabric in
tiny balls or pills. This
‘pilling’ may occur with,
fabrics made of 100% synthe
tic fibers and blends of
synthetic and natural fibers.
SNAGGING
Knits are more susceptible
to than wnVen,
fabrics theiri
looped construction. Snag
ging occurs when a yarn loop
catches on a rough object and
is stretched or pulled to the
surface without being broken.
Holes or runs occur in
some knits when the yarn is
broken. Holes most often
occur in cotton knit garments
when a yarn is broken, and
becomes more apparent each
r l ™e the item is laundered.
CARE REQUIRED
i Maintaining that “just
purchased” appearance in
garments and fabrics requires
careful attention to fabric care
procedures. The care that will
be required for any garment
or fabric should be considered
carefully before you buy.
Remember: Read labels for
proper care recommenda
tions.
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