Geometrical Distortion
Structural angular alignment where filling yarns or knitted courses do not lie perpendicular to warp yarns or fabric selvages creates diagonal distortion across the cloth. Fabric skew measures the angular deviation of crosswise threads from a ninety-degree right angle relative to the longitudinal edge. Mills inspect this condition during stenter framing and finishing, using optoelectronic sensors to correct thread alignment.
The measurement covers planar cross-thread deviation in roll goods, ending where localized yarn torque creates spiral bias in individual yarns.
Weaving Origin
Unequal tension across the loom reed or uneven drying temperatures across stenter frame clips force crosswise yarns out of alignment. Continuous finishing lines apply mechanical bow and skew straighteners to pull lagging yarns forward before heat setting.
Inspection Method
Quality inspectors draw a straight line perpendicular to the selvage across the fabric width and measure the distance to the displaced filling yarn. Percentage fabric skew equals the maximum distance of deviation divided by the total fabric width, multiplied by one hundred.
Cutting Impact
Pattern pieces cut from distorted fabric twist spirally after sewing and laundering. Garment legs turn outward along side seams, causing hem misalignment and customer rejections. Garment factories reject fabric rolls exceeding two percent fabric skew to prevent structural garment twisting.
