Quality Assurance for Textiles

Quality Assurance for Textiles and Apparel

This course focused on a group based project to test a pair of jeans and determine by our test results if they pass or fail our specifications. We focused on learning how to do AATCC and ASTM tests. Testing included abrasion resistance, pilling and snagging resistance, along with many many other tests.

Final Project

My team was given a pair of jeans from Old Navy. We then cut out our samples from the jeans for testing. We recorded out testings and put then into out testing results binder. We then wrote out final paper outlining all of our testing results and why or why not we accepted the results per our specifications

Testing Sample

Old Navy Sky-Hi Wide Leg Jeans

The pair of jeans my group was provided were the Old Navy Ski-Hi jeans. The jeans were 99% cotton and 1% Spandex.

Product and Target Market

The product for analysis is a pair of Sky-Hi Wide Leg Jeans from the brand Old Navy. Fabric content is 99% cotton with an added 1% spandex. The target consumer is women in their 20-30’s, living on a lower to middle class income, possibly ranging from $49,000-$62,000. Aesthetics the consumer is looking for would be leaning modest, possibly following a business casual dress code. Old Navy is a family focused brand, so it is assumed the customers share similar values when shopping with them. The target consumer does not shop often, usually only out of necessity, and relies on good quality items that last a few seasons, without compromising affordability. Analyzing the brand, Old Navy is known for decent quality denim that is easy to care for, along with a wide range of sizing, furthering their consumer market.

Sample Testing Process Highlights

Abrasion Resistance / Taber

Circular samples from our sample jeans were cut out and then put on top of a circular plate that had a rough sandpaper texture and then the sample went through 50-65 cycles against two small wheels with the sandpaper texture on the plate. This test is important to resemble the jeans resistance to rubbing.

However, based on our target market, consumer and company we knew that this test while still important was not high on our needs for a perfect spec because, they are not defined as work pants compared to a pair of work jeans from Carhartt. This test will still provide important intell on the integrity of the jeans on where they are most likely to have the most abrasion i.e. the inner thigh.

Our predetermined specifications for this test for a medium weight cotton denim was that within 50-65 cycles, the denim only being able to lose 2-3% of its mass weight. We first recorded the initial weight of the sample and then the final weight after the abrasion and subtracted the total mass lost.

All of our samples (5) met our specifications losing less than 3% of its mass, this led my team to accept the test result for the samples integrity to resist abrasion.

Breaking Load & Elongation

Five square samples from our jeans were cut out and then put into our labs pressurized machine to record the breaking load and elongation. This test is important to define the jeans durability, flexibility and if it is suitable for its intended use.

Based on our target market, consumer and company we knew that this test will be important to determine the comfortability and flexibility of this product. This test will provide important intell on the flexibility, comfort, and durability.

Our predetermined specifications for this test for a medium weight cotton denim was for warp to be greater than or equal to 15% and for the weft greater than or equal to 10%.

All of our samples (5) far exceeded our specifications at an average of 45% , this led my team to accept the test result for the samples breaking force.

Snagging Resistance

Four small square samples from our jeans were cut out and then three sides were sewn together right side to right side flipped inside out, we then put a bean bag into the sewn pouch and then the opening was hand sewn closed, raw edges sewn to be in the inside. Then the bean bags were put into our Atlas Bean Bag Snag Tester. This test is important to define the jeans ability to maintain the aesthetics, durability and simulates real-world friction to identify the cottons resistance to pulling, which leads to holes and tears.

Based on our target market, consumer and company we knew that this test will be important to determine the lifespan of this product because of our assumed environment for the consumers, possibly being mothers. This test will provide important intell on the durability of the fibers and product.

Our predetermined specifications for this test for a medium weight cotton denim going through 600 cycles to be a 4.5± 0.5, 1 being very severe snagging and 5 being no snagging.

Our samples two samples/pouches met our specifications both getting a rating of 4, this led my team to accept the test result for the samples resistance to snagging.