Unit 2: Handling international fabric swatches
Fabric Studies notes · PTU syllabus (BSTD 303-20)
Unit summary
Handling international swatches from the resource centre builds a feel for fabrics worldwide. This unit gives a framework for studying swatches and documenting them.
After this unit you can
- Study drapability, texture and appearance of swatches
- Record fabric details in a swatch file
- Compare international fabrics with Indian equivalents
PTU syllabus topics
Studying swatches of international representational fabrics from the resource centre to understand drapability, texture and appearance firsthand
- Drape
- How a fabric hangs and folds
- Hand
- How it feels: soft, crisp, dry
- Body
- Fullness and substance
- Lustre
- How it reflects light
- Loft
- Bulk and springiness
Topic 1
Studying swatches
For each swatch record: name and origin, fibre, structure, weight, hand, drape, colour and finish, care and possible uses.
| Check | How |
|---|---|
| Drapability | Hang the swatch over a hand or cylinder and observe folds |
| Texture | Run fingers across and note smoothness and surface |
| Appearance | Lustre, colour, pattern, transparency |
| Behaviour | Crush test: squeeze and see recovery |
Topic 2
Documentation
Mount swatches on cards with labelled details; arrange by fibre or end use. Photograph for reference and compare with Indian fabrics such as khadi, chanderi, mulmul and tussar.
Key terms
- Swatch
- Small fabric sample
- Drapability
- Ability to fall in folds
- Crush test
- Squeeze test for wrinkling
- Mounting
- Fixing swatches on cards
Quick revision
- Study swatches by drape, texture, appearance, behaviour.
- Record details and compare with Indian fabrics.
Important exam questions
Practice questions written to the PTU exam pattern for this unit's syllabus: short answers (Section A style) and long answers (Sections B and C style).
Short-answer questions
- Q1.What is a swatch?
- Q2.What does a crush test show?
- Q3.How do you test drape?
Long-answer questions
- Q1.Explain how fabric swatches are studied and documented.
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