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Shrinkage

Causes
SHRINKAGE DEFINED Types of knitted fabric

REFERENCE

The reduction in a dimension of a fibre,

yarn or fabric.{3} Shrinkage is when a fabric becomes smaller than its original size, usually through the process of laundry. {1} The term shrinkage can simply be defined as a change in the dimensions of a fabric or garment. This dimensional change may be in a positive or negative (shrinkage) direction for fabric length, width, and thickness.{2}

Heat is usually the cause behind the

shrinkage of knitted clothes. Very hot water in the washing machine or high-heat drying, either from a laundry dryer or even hot heat from the sun will reduce the size of clothes, especially cotton knitted fabrics. mohair, the wet fabric inside a washer or dryer will create a reaction that can much shrink the material.{4}

For natural animal fabrics, like wool or

Causes
High Stresses & strains exerted on the knitted fabric,

during Knitting, Dyeing & Processing & the fabric not being allowed to relax properly, thereafter.
High shrinkage is primarily due to the fabric being

subject to high tension, during the Knitting, Dyeing & the Finishing processes.{5}

Construction Shrinkage
Drying Shrinkage

Elastic Shrinkage
Processing Shrinkage {2}

After a cotton fabric is constructed on a knitting

machine it has natural characteristics based only on the yarn construction variables used. These characteristics or conditions and can be tested for various specifications including shrinkage. The type of shrinkage measured at this point is defined as construction shrinkage. Construction shrinkage is defined as the amount of dimensional change in a fabric based only on the construction variables used to create the fabric. It is measured after fabrication but before following processes.{2}

Drying shrinkage is defined as dimensional change in

a knitted fabric when de swelling of fiber, yarn, and construction occurs in the drying step. The structure shrinks upon itself as a result of the physics of drying. Tumble drying without restrictions (tension) is a form of mechanical compression and allows for maximum drying shrinkage to take place.

In Figure 1, the loop shown on the right is elongated in the length direction and would show high length shrinkage. After the fabric is allowed to shrink due to the swelling and de swelling under tensionless conditions and mechanical action, the loop assumes a rounded shape as shown on the left. {2}

Relaxed Loop

Elongated Loop

Elastic shrinkage is defined as a change in dimensions

of a knitted fabric as a result of the ability of the fabric to freely relax from tensions experienced during construction and other processing. Normally, the recovery from elastic stresses (realization of elastic shrinkage) is fairly spontaneous when these stresses are relieved, especially in a dry medium.{2}

All processing steps in a dyeing and finishing plant

and in an apparel manufacturing operation affect the dimensions of a product. Some techniques have more impact than others. These steps create processing shrinkage, which can be defined as the dimensional change that a process adds to or removes from the construction shrinkage of a fabric, and thereby changes the remaining shrinkage accordingly. Length and width dimensions are both affected, and the fabrics may either be stretched. Most often, the length is stretched and the width is reduced during wet processing. {2}

Jersey

Lycra in jersey and ribs.


Interlock knits Rib knits

Fleece knit{6}

Jersey fabric is a type of knit textile made from cotton

or a cotton and synthetic blend. Some common uses for jersey fabric include t-shirts and winter bedding. The fabric is warm, flexible, stretchy, and very insulating, making it a popular choice for the layer worn closest to the body. Jersey also tends to be soft, making it very comfortable.{7} Jersey knit fabric can and will shrink due to the simple fact that it is a knit. While 1/2"-1" would probably be considered average, textile manufacturers have seen shrinkage of up to 3" or more.{8}

{11} % Length Shrinkage 25 20 15 10 5 240 inches 265 inches

0
Greige Dry No Spread Dry Spread Compact No Spread Compact Spread

Rib knit fabric is perfect for creating stylish t-shirts,

tops, children's clothing, loungewear and more. And it is sewing with knit fabrics.{9} In laundering tests, it was found that the shrinkage of the yarn was negligible, usually less than 1% in the finished fabrics.{13}

1x1 Ribbing

Interlock knit fabric is a type of double knit. Interlock

knit fabric is ribbed on both the front and the back side of the fabric. These knits look smooth on both sides, and have little elasticity in the width, but good elasticity in the length.

These fabrics are made by interlocking two ribbed

fabrics that are each made with a single yarn. Even dry cleaning can produce some shrinkage. {10}

% Length Shrinkage

{11}

25
20 15 10 5 0 260 Inches

Greige

Dry No Spread

Dry Spread Compact No Compact Spread Spread

A soft, bulky, deep-piled knitted or woven fabric of

wool or cotton in a plain, twill, pile or knitted weave. Fleece has a deep, soft nap or pile obtained by heavily napping with wire brushes or with a pile weave. This provides air space giving good insulating properties without too much weight. The inter-lacing space is covered by the nap. The nap wears out in time, but good quality cloth gives good wear. Range from cheap to expensive clothes. Material is often cumbersome and bulky, therefore it may be difficult to manipulate.{12}

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrinkage_%28fabric%29 ttp://www.google.com.pk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=21&ved=0CBcQFjAAOBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsst.umt.edu. pk%2Fnewsite%2Fcourses%2FSpring2010%2FTX326%2FISP%25201009%2520Guide%2520to%2520Improved%2520Shrinkage%2520Performance%2520of%2520Cott on%2520Fabrics.pdf&rct=j&q=Shrinkage of knitted fabric.&ei=KnmqTcmNMIS8rAeZ5YGoCA&usg=AFQjCNE2eaa84R1TlQZ6hSeErxCLgvOfiA&cad=rja http://www.textileglossary.com/terms/shrinkage.html http://www.ehow.com/about_6360634_clothes-shrink-washer-dryer_.html http://www.google.com.pk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=14&ved=0CDcQFjADOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnigamkidst extile.webs.com%2FDefects%2520in%2520the%2520Knitted%2520Fabrics%2520(SGS%2520Project).doc&ei=9GW wTebGIMrLrQeD-tGFCQ&usg=AFQjCNFo_M4C4JT9j5G8P1nbAMIDxvBCww http://www.apparelsearch.com/fabric_types_of_knit.htm http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-jersey-fabric.htm http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_jersey_knit_fabric_shrink http://www.fabric.com/apparel-fashion-fabric-knit-fabric-rib-knit-fabric.aspx http://www.the-sewing-partner.com/interlock-knit-fabric.html httpwww.scribd.comopensearchlanguage=1&limit=10&num_pages=&page=3&query=Shrinkage+of+knitted+fabric http://www.textileglossary.com/terms/fleece.html http://trj.sagepub.com/content/22/2/84.abstract

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrinkage_%28fabric%29 ttp://www.google.com.pk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=21&ved=0CBcQFjAAOBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsst.umt.edu. pk%2Fnewsite%2Fcourses%2FSpring2010%2FTX326%2FISP%25201009%2520Guide%2520to%2520Improved%2520Shrinkage%2520Performance%2520of%2520Cott on%2520Fabrics.pdf&rct=j&q=Shrinkage of knitted fabric.&ei=KnmqTcmNMIS8rAeZ5YGoCA&usg=AFQjCNE2eaa84R1TlQZ6hSeErxCLgvOfiA&cad=rja http://www.textileglossary.com/terms/shrinkage.html http://www.ehow.com/about_6360634_clothes-shrink-washer-dryer_.html http://www.google.com.pk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=14&ved=0CDcQFjADOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnigamkidst extile.webs.com%2FDefects%2520in%2520the%2520Knitted%2520Fabrics%2520(SGS%2520Project).doc&ei=9GW wTebGIMrLrQeD-tGFCQ&usg=AFQjCNFo_M4C4JT9j5G8P1nbAMIDxvBCww http://www.apparelsearch.com/fabric_types_of_knit.htm http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-jersey-fabric.htm http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_jersey_knit_fabric_shrink http://www.fabric.com/apparel-fashion-fabric-knit-fabric-rib-knit-fabric.aspx http://www.the-sewing-partner.com/interlock-knit-fabric.html httpwww.scribd.comopensearchlanguage=1&limit=10&num_pages=&page=3&query=Shrinkage+of+knitted+fabric http://www.textileglossary.com/terms/fleece.html http://trj.sagepub.com/content/22/2/84.abstract

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