How to Judge Textile Competency Levels

Competency levels are set depending on the fabric's intended use.

The textile industry uses machines to test fabrics when they are being mass produced. However, human hands set the standards of what the machine hands test. Fashion and textile professionals are skilled at judging competency levels of fabrics to determine the quality and durability based on the fabric’s intended use. Specific settings are established for specific grades of fabrics such as silk, cotton and blends, but all fabrics are subject to competency level testing.

Instructions

1. Suspend the fabric with one hand and judge the material with the other to gain a fair interpretation of its level of competency.

2. Feel the material, examining it for unacceptable flaws in texture, between your finger and thumb. For example, when judging silk, determine if the material feels like it should or if the grain of the material is too rough.

3. Examine if the stitching is even and of good quality. Poor stitching can easily offset a garment's other qualities, making it fit improperly.

4. Observe the color of the material. See if the dye is dispersed evenly throughout the fabric or if there are spots of inconsistencies within the material or even within patterns.

5. Determine if the material can live up to its intended use in quality and suitability. For example, a new jean material should be able to stand up to the many launderings casual jeans are expected to endure.

6. Determine if the fabric is flexible or stiff. Fabrics and materials that do not bend correctly result in improper tension on the seams and poor fitting.

7. Feel the weight and compression of the material. Is the fabric too heavy for its intended purpose? Does the material feel thicker than it's supposed to feel?

Tips & Warnings

• Wash and dry your hands before touching fabric to prevent any dirt and oil from interfering with judging.

References

• Mira Lab: Chapter Subjective Fabric Evlauation