7 articles
Fabric Shrinkage by Fiber: Typical Rates and How to Keep Garments True to Size
Most size complaints after washing are shrinkage problems, not pattern problems. Here are typical shrinkage ranges for cotton, linen, polyester, nylon and common blends, why the same fiber can shrink very differently, and what to specify so bulk matches your sample.
Fabric Pilling Explained: Test Methods, Grades and How to Specify Pilling Resistance
Pilling is one of the most common reasons garments look old before they wear out. Here's what causes it, how Martindale, pilling box and other tests differ, what a grade 3–4 actually means, and how to write pilling into a purchase order.
Is That Really 100% Cotton? How Buyers Can Verify Fiber Content
Mislabeled fiber content is one of the costliest fabric disputes. Here's how a simple burn test works, what labs actually do, and when to order third-party verification.
What Silently Weakens Fabric Strength During Finishing
A soft, brushed finish can come at the cost of tear and tensile strength. Here's what finishing steps affect fabric strength, and what to ask for on strength-critical orders.
Why Hand Feel Is the One Fabric Spec You Can't Put in a Contract
Hand feel can't be measured like GSM or width — here's how mills actually control it, and why your approved swatch matters more than any spec sheet.
What Is Fabric GSM? Meaning, How to Measure It, and What Tolerance Is Normal
GSM means grams per square meter: the weight of one square meter of fabric. Here's how to measure it, how GSM converts to oz/yd², typical GSM for shirting, trousers, workwear and canvas, and why ±5% batch-to-batch variation is normal.
Why Fabric Width Isn't Always Exact — And What Tolerance to Expect
Fabric width shifts slightly through dyeing and finishing — here's why, what tolerance is normal, and how to specify it so your cutting yield doesn't suffer.