1. Obj. 2.01 Characteristics of Fibers and Fabrics
Apparel and Textile Development Level 1

2. There are eight characteristic by which fibers and fabrics are evaluated (judged or assessed).
Abrasion resistance
Absorbency
Durability
Elasticity
Resiliency
Strength
Warmth
Wicking

3. Abrasion resistance
The ability of a fiber or fabric to remain intact when it is rubbed or scraped.
Abrasion resistance is the ability of a fabric to resist surface wear caused by flat rubbing contact with another material*
The Wyzenbeek test rubs fabric along the warp and the weft. This is a Wyzenbeek machine at right. At left is a piece of abraded fabric.
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4. Absorbency
The ability of a fiber to soak in and then hang on to liquids (particularly water or sweat)

5. Durability
Able to resist wear, decay, etc. Something that will last through its intended life or use is durable.
Silk is not durable.
Denim (from your jeans) is durable.

6. Elasticity
The ability of something to stretch and then return to its original shape.
Spandex is elastic.
Elastic is elastic.
Rubber bands are elastic.
Paper is definitely not elastic.

7. Resiliency
The ability of a substance or item to spring back into shape after it has been stretched or deformed.
Spandex is resilient.
Wood is not.
Resilience is related to elasticity. They’re like first cousins

8. Strength
How sturdy something is. It is measured by how much weight it can hold and how long it can endure before breaking.
Bulletproof vests are strong.
Lace is not strong.
Tensile strength is one way that the fabric is measured.
Tensile strength is defined as “A fiber strength measured by exerting force on the goods until they break.”
Image Courtesy Texas Advanced Computing Center

9. Warmth A fabric’s ability to hold in heat determines its warmth.
Wool is warm.
Fleece is warm.
Cotton is not warm.
Knit fabrics are often warmer than woven fabrics. The air space in the knit holds warmth.

10. Wicking
The ability of a fabric to move moisture (sweat) away from the skin to the outer layer of fabric where it can evaporate more easily thus helping to keep the skin dry.
Underarmor wicks.
Dryfit wicks.
Cotton does not wick.

11. A bonus term – Hand Hand defined:
“The way the fabric feels when it is touched. Terms like softness, crispness, dryness, silkiness are all terms that describe the hand of the fabric.”
From
Photos from N.C. State University College of Textiles