Tailor Fabric Selection and Care 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of interfacing is typically used to add structure to a suit lapel?
- Woven hair canvas (Correct answer)
- Knit interfacing
- Non-woven fusible interfacing
- Fleece interfacing
Correct answer: Woven hair canvas
Woven hair canvas provides the firm, breathable structure that gives a bespoke lapel its characteristic roll.
Question 2: What does 'preshrinking' fabric before cutting mean?
- Washing or steaming the fabric to remove shrinkage before construction (Correct answer)
- Cutting the fabric slightly larger to allow for shrinkage
- Applying starch to stabilize the fabric
- Pressing the fabric at high heat to set the weave
Correct answer: Washing or steaming the fabric to remove shrinkage before construction
Preshrinking involves washing or steaming fabric so any shrinkage occurs before the garment is cut and sewn.
Question 3: Which fabric characteristic is described by the term 'hand'?
- How the fabric feels to the touch (Correct answer)
- The fabric's color fastness
- The thread count of the fabric
- The fabric's tensile strength
Correct answer: How the fabric feels to the touch
The 'hand' of a fabric refers to its tactile qualities such as softness, drape, stiffness, and texture.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a 'stay stitch' applied to curved fabric edges?
- To prevent stretching during handling and construction (Correct answer)
- To gather the fabric evenly
- To attach two fabric layers together permanently
- To create a decorative topstitching line
Correct answer: To prevent stretching during handling and construction
Stay stitching stabilizes curved or bias edges so they don't stretch out of shape before being sewn into a seam.
Question 5: Which fiber content label term indicates a fabric blended with at least 55% wool?
- Wool blend (Correct answer)
- Pure new wool
- Wool-rich
- Virgin wool
Correct answer: Wool blend
A 'wool blend' label is used when wool is the dominant fiber but other fibers are also present.
Question 6: What type of fabric is 'worsted wool' and what makes it distinct?
- A tightly spun, smooth-surfaced wool with a clear weave structure (Correct answer)
- A loosely woven textured wool with a napped surface
- A wool felt made by compressing fibers without weaving
- A tweed wool woven with irregular colored slubs
Correct answer: A tightly spun, smooth-surfaced wool with a clear weave structure
Worsted wool is combed to align fibers, then tightly spun, producing a smooth, durable cloth ideal for suits.
Tailor Fabric Selection and Care 2
Which type of interfacing is typically used to add structure to a suit lapel?