Your development decision
Measure agreed locations before and after the intended process, keeping direction, appearance and garment components in the record.
Name the process
Washing, dry cleaning, steam preparation and pressing describe different conditions. State the intended trial process explicitly. A fibre percentage or finish description does not replace a dimensional-change assessment of the reference.
Keep direction and baseline clear
For cloth, identify warp and weft and the measurement marks. For a garment, define length, waist or other locations consistently. Record units and the starting values before treatment rather than reconstructing them later.
Agree preparation with the maker
Relaxation and any pre-treatment before cutting belong to the actual production plan. Ask the maker and supplier what should be trialled. Keep the process with the sample version and do not impose a universal preparation recipe.
Record before and after values
Measure the same locations using the agreed method. Change percentage can be calculated as (after − before) ÷ before × 100 when the starting value is known. For example, 100 cm to 98 cm is −2%; this is a teaching example, not a product result.
Inspect appearance as well
Record surface, colour, touch, seam and lining interaction alongside dimensions. A satisfactory measurement alone does not settle every care question. Keep a care trial tied to the complete garment construction.
Agree tolerance and evidence
The relevant teams should define method and acceptable change for the programme. Identify tested sample, process and report if available. A revised finish, lining or care route may require another review before approval is extended.
A practical development example
A finished skirt is measured before and after the agreed cleaning trial. Use the same marked locations and retain lining and hem construction. Record dimensional change and appearance separately. If another care route is proposed, keep it as a new trial condition rather than treating the first result as universal.
Working review record
Scroll the table horizontally on small screens.
| Review point | What to record | Next decision |
|---|---|---|
| Process and preparation used | Record the actual value, conditions and source | Keep this point open until reviewed |
| Warp/weft or garment measurement points | Record the actual value, conditions and source | Keep this point open until reviewed |
| Before and after values with units | Record the actual value, conditions and source | Keep this point open until reviewed |
| Appearance and component interaction | Record the actual value, conditions and source | Keep this point open until reviewed |
Before the next sample round
- Process and preparation used
- Warp/weft or garment measurement points
- Before and after values with units
- Appearance and component interaction
- Record the reviewer, date and next action