Measurement of Fabric Drape and its Relation to Fabric Mechanical Properties and Subjective Evaluation

Fabric drape of a number of fabrics was measured using a digital Drape Tester and was found to be significantly correlated with the subjective evaluation of drape. Fabrics were draped on two different-sized pedestal plates, and differences in draping behavior between plates and among fabrics were determined Composite drape values measured on the Drape Tester differentiated the draping behavior of the different fabrics. Drape was also correlated with mechanical properties of the fabrics. The mechanical property values were used to formulate predictive equations for fabric drape. Shear hysteresis and bending resistance were found to be most closely associated with fabric drape. Drape refers to a fabric’s ability to form folds when bent under its own weight. It is an important component of the aesthetic appeal of fabrics for both apparel and home furnish-ings. Assessing and analyzing the complex behavior of draped fabrics have been a concern of researchers for a number of years. Predicting fabric drape is important in apparel design and production, especially in the computer-aided processes currently being adopted in this country