Fashion Designer Fabric Selection & Textiles 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary difference between worsted and woolen yarn?
- Worsted uses longer, combed fibers; woolen uses shorter, carded fibers (Correct answer)
- Worsted is made from synthetic fibers; woolen is 100% natural
- Woolen is smoother and worsted is fuzzy
- Worsted is heavier than woolen in all applications
Correct answer: Worsted uses longer, combed fibers; woolen uses shorter, carded fibers
Worsted yarn uses long wool fibers combed parallel for a smooth, strong yarn, while woolen yarn uses shorter, carded fibers for a softer, loftier result.
Question 2: Which fabric is produced by interlocking loops of yarn, giving it inherent stretch in multiple directions?
- Woven fabric
- Nonwoven fabric
- Knit fabric (Correct answer)
- Bonded fabric
Correct answer: Knit fabric
Knit fabrics are made by interlocking yarn loops, which allows the structure to stretch and recover, unlike rigid woven fabrics.
Question 3: What does 'hand' refer to when evaluating a textile?
- The fabric's washing instructions
- The tactile feel and drape of a fabric (Correct answer)
- The width of the fabric bolt
- The thread count per inch
Correct answer: The tactile feel and drape of a fabric
'Hand' describes the sensory characteristics of a fabric — its softness, smoothness, stiffness, and drape when touched or handled.
Question 4: A designer selects organza for a structured bridal gown bodice. What key property makes organza suitable for this use?
- Its high elasticity and stretch
- Its stiff, sheer structure that holds shape (Correct answer)
- Its thick pile and warmth
- Its moisture-wicking performance
Correct answer: Its stiff, sheer structure that holds shape
Organza is a sheer, plain-weave fabric with a crisp hand that provides body and structure, making it ideal for bodices and full skirts.
Question 5: Which chemical treatment improves cotton's luster, strength, and dye affinity by treating it with sodium hydroxide?
- Sanforizing
- Mercerization (Correct answer)
- Calendering
- Singeing
Correct answer: Mercerization
Mercerization swells cotton fibers with sodium hydroxide, increasing their luster, tensile strength, and ability to absorb dye.
Question 6: What is 'pilling' in the context of fabric performance?
- A shrinkage caused by heat
- The formation of small fiber balls on the fabric surface from abrasion (Correct answer)
- A dye bleeding problem in washing
- The unraveling of fabric edges
Correct answer: The formation of small fiber balls on the fabric surface from abrasion
Pilling occurs when short or broken fibers tangle into small balls on the fabric surface due to friction during wear or washing.
Question 7: Which type of fabric is made from fibers bonded together by heat, pressure, or adhesive rather than weaving or knitting?
- Jacquard fabric
- Nonwoven fabric (Correct answer)
- Velvet
- Twill
Correct answer: Nonwoven fabric
Nonwoven fabrics are created by bonding or felting fibers directly, bypassing yarn and weaving — examples include interfacing, felt, and Tyvek.
Fashion Designer Fabric Selection & Textiles 3
What is the primary difference between worsted and woolen yarn?