Aside from the question of whether the buyer is getting the kind of
material she pays for as to character of the fiber, there are other
things to be considered in choosing textile fabrics.
The weave affects the appearance and often the wearing quality of
cloth. A close twill weave makes a firm, durable material, while the
loose basket weave gives quite a different effect and is frequently
lacking in firmness. The satin or sateen weave makes a beautiful
surface especially in linens or silks, but may cover up defects in
the hidden threads. Fancy weaves in cotton novelties, in shirt waist
materials and in fancy mulls, etc., often leave loose threads which
become soiled easily and may not be as attractive after washing. A
cloth with a very heavy cross thread or filling, and a very fine
warp, or vice versa, may split because of the great difference in the
strength of the threads.
Sometimes figures are woven in such a way that when the cloth is
finished each figure has short ends of thread. For example, in weaving
madras curtain material, the filling thread which makes the figure,
jumps from one figure to another, and after the material leaves the
loom the loose threads are cut off of the back of the material. Often
these short pieces wash out or the ends become rough and fuzzy looking.
In choosing a material from the large variety on the market the
first thing to be determined is the use to which it is to be put,
then determine what is appropriate to that use. The cloth which is
suitable for a street suit is obviously not suited to the party gown,
neither are laces of dressy waists appropriate for working clothes.
Clothes that are to be worn constantly need to be of material that
will stand frequent cleaning. In materials used in house furnishing
certain ones must be cleaned often, and unless one can afford to pay
frequent cleaner’s bills, washable materials are better for curtains,
bed-spreads, table-covers, etc. The cost is the next point to be
considered, and that must necessarily be determined by one’s purse. It
is not always economy, however, to buy the inexpensive things, for, as
we have seen, the inexpensive articles are more likely to be the cheap
ones. With our desire for continual change, our love of novelty and fad
we have become very extravagant. So long as the fashion demands new
garments every few months and women attempt to follow the styles, they
must choose inexpensive materials unless they have a large amount of
money, and care nothing for wearing quality. In the end, however, the
woman who buys carefully, makes use of conservative styles which do not
change every few months, and chooses handsome material, is not only
more economically, but also usually better dressed.
The hygienic properties of materials should be carefully considered.
Those next the body should be able to care for the perspiration and
the excretions of the skin. Woolen and silk are best suited by their
physical structure to do this, but wool is too warm and too irritating
to many people, and does not wash well, while silk is too expensive.
Many kinds of cotton underwear have been manufactured which by their
structure aid in absorbing moisture. Underwear knitted or woven with
meshes containing large enclosed air spaces is more hygienic than
closely woven cotton garments. The air spaces in the mesh material
are non-conductors of heat, and also ventilators. The closely woven
garment does not allow a change of air next the skin and becomes clammy
when moist. Garments which come in contact with the outside air must
be more closely woven to keep out the wind. Two layers of lighter
weight material are warmer than one layer of thick because of the
non-conducting air between. Heavy clothes are bad for the body because
of the extra load which must be carried about.
Finally, in choosing materials, if one is to have the greatest pleasure
from them and give one’s friends the greatest pleasure, color and
design are very important. Colors should be suitable to the use, and
to the person who is to wear the material. Bright colors make one
conspicuous, and are exciting; dull ugly colors are depressing, while
soft rich colors are elegant, becoming, and in good taste.
Designs should fit the place in which they are to be used. Rugs should
be so designed that they serve as a background to the furniture of
the room as well as add richness in color and some variety. Materials
which are to hang in folds should have designs which do not depend
on smoothness of surface in order that they may be effective. For
clothing, designs should be inconspicuous, modest stripes, dots and
plaids being most successful, except on very soft thin materials when
larger and less conventional designs may be used.
To be an intelligent buyer it is necessary then that the woman knows
before she purchases a piece of cloth just where it is to be used,
just what she can afford to pay for it, what she should be able to get
for that amount of money and then be able to tell whether the piece of
cloth she buys is really what it is represented to be. At the present
time the rush to the bargain counter, the enormous amount of cheap,
poor material manufactured, and the great waste in dress, all go to
prove that there are many women who are not intelligent buyers.
When women demand a better quality of materials and refuse to buy the
cheap things, the manufacturers will cease to produce worthless things.
Perhaps however, before that day arrives, the thoughtful workers of the
land will have succeeded in passing a pure textile law, which shall do
for our cloth what the pure food act is doing for our food supplies;
then the honest though ignorant buyer will be protected, but it will
still be her part to demand good, artistic and useful materials.
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