Mystery Under the Microscope: A Fabric Identification Workshop
Ever wondered if that “silk” find is actually polyester? Or why your mystery wool smells like burnt hair when you iron it? Join us on Monday, April 6th at 6:30PM for a hands-on workshop where we dive deep into the DNA of textiles.
In this session, we’re moving beyond the “touch test” and getting technical. You’ll learn how to distinguish between natural, synthetic, and blended fibers using professional observation and the famous Burn Test.
What We’ll Cover:
- Fiber Anatomy: Understanding the characteristics of protein (wool/silk), cellulose (cotton/linen), and synthetic (polyester/nylon) fibers.
- The Burn Test: Learn to identify fibers by their flame reaction, odor, and the residue they leave behind.
- Hand & Drape Analysis: Tips for narrowing down fiber content through tactile observation.
- Practical Care: How identification changes the way you wash, iron, and sew your fabrics.
The Burn Test Guide
During the class, we will reference a reaction chart similar to this:
| Fiber Type | Reaction to Flame | Odor | Residue |
| Cotton | Scorches, glows | Burning paper | Fine grey ash |
| Wool | Sizzles, curls | Burning hair | Irregular black bead (crushable) |
| Silk | Burns slowly | Burning hair | Crisp, shiny black bead |
| Polyester | Melts and drips | Sweet/Chemical | Hard, uncrushable black bead |
What to Bring:
- Your “Mystery” Stash: Bring 3–5 small swatches (at least 2″x2″) of fabrics from your own collection that you’d like to identify.
- Notebook & Pen: For recording your findings.
- Curiosity: (And maybe a hair tie—safety first around the flames!)
Note: We’ll be meeting at Gabriella’s shop. All safety equipment, including tweezers, tea lights, and water stations, will be provided.
The Association of Sewing and Design Professionals is the leader in advancing professional standards in the sewing and design industry of the United States.
Our values serve as a compass to guide our decisions:
- Community – We believe that through community our businesses can grow.
- Professionalism – We encourage members to follow a Code of Ethics and to be committed to ethical business conduct.
- Quality – ASDP standards and practices, clearly illustrate our commitment to high levels of technical performance.