Your development decision
Choose a blend by complete composition and garment evidence, keeping cost, touch and performance goals visible.
List every constituent fibre
Ask for the full fibre names and percentages for the actual reference. “Wool blend” leaves important information open. Distinguish a fixed buyer composition from an acceptable range, and ask the supplier to identify any proposed alternative explicitly.
Rank the reasons for considering a blend
Your project may seek a particular price range, appearance, touch or trial response. Place these in priority order. A fibre addition is a design choice to investigate, not automatic proof of improved wear or easier care.
Compare similar cloths rather than percentages alone
Set sample size, lighting and hanging direction consistently. Record weight, construction and finish with composition. Two cloths with the same declared fibre percentages can differ in surface and sewing behaviour; use a physical approved reference to describe what matters.
Check the garment contact and construction
Try the intended lining, seams and support materials. Note touch at the actual contact areas and inspect pressing and joined layers. A blend suitable for a lined jacket may need a different review for an overshirt neckline or an unlined skirt.
Request evidence for required properties
Specify the relevant care, dimensional change, surface wear and colourfastness questions. A composition statement and a test report answer different questions. Tie any report to the identified reference and agreed method rather than applying a generic blend claim.
Brief acceptable alternatives
Tell Fred which fibres or percentages are mandatory and where a proposal is welcome. Add your garment trial priorities, budget basis and expected quantity. Ask for confirmed specifications of candidates before deciding which to sample.
Working review record
Scroll the table horizontally on small screens.
| Review point | What to record | Next decision |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Supplier reference, yarn route and finish | Confirm the proposed cloth |
| Appearance | Face, reverse, direction and lighting | Choose a sample to trial |
| Specification | Composition, weight unit and width | Resolve missing fields |
| Garment | Equivalent sewn section and observations | Revise the brief |
Before the next sample round
- Label the actual sample and date
- Keep desired effects separate from confirmed facts
- Agree the next trial and evidence request