Specify the assessment question.
Dimensional change needs a defined care process.
Record the intended washing, drying or professional care discussion before interpreting a result. A percentage without specimen identity, direction and process is incomplete evidence. Do not assign a universal shrinkage allowance to every tweed.
Identify the actual test sample.
Keep measurements along and across the cloth separate. Garment assembly, lining and trims can affect the finished outcome, so fabric assessment and garment trial should be connected without treating them as identical.
Keep the report interpretable.
Request the applicable method, process, report and agreed requirement from the responsible team. If the finish or construction changes, ask whether the old evidence is still relevant before applying it to a production brief.
Consult the primary method source.
ISO 5077 describes determination of dimensional change following specified washing and drying procedures. The actual procedure and garment care decision require competent, article-specific review; this page is a request worksheet.
A worksheet for the next decision.
Scroll the table horizontally on small screens.
| Decision | Record in the brief | Resolve with evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Use | Garment, contact and care context | Buyer and garment team requirement |
| Method | Relevant method and current version | Responsible laboratory confirmation |
| Sample | Exact reference, colourway and revision | Specimen and report identity |
| Acceptance | Requirement agreed for the programme | Documented result and decision |
Keep these points with the reference.
- Intended garment use
- Exposure or process to assess
- Actual reference and colourway
- Method to agree with the laboratory
- Programme-specific acceptance requirement
- Report identity and open actions
Primary source for method scope.
Solve the next buying problem.
Why should length and width change be recorded separately?
The two cloth directions may behave differently. Keep the original and after-process measurements, units and orientation with the sample record. State the evaluated washing and drying process. A single unlabelled percentage does not explain what was measured or how it relates to the proposed garment.
How can I understand a shrinkage calculation?
Illustrative arithmetic only: if a marked length changes from 500 mm to 490 mm, dimensional change is (490 − 500) ÷ 500 × 100 = −2%. The minus sign indicates a reduction. This is not a recommended specimen procedure, acceptance limit or Fred test result. ISO 5077 concerns determination of dimensional change in washing and drying; agree the applicable process and reporting with the laboratory.