Abstract: A method of setting a crease in a fabric for measurement of the fabric's crease setting performance whereby the fabric is conditioned to a predetermined water content level and then bent upon itself to form a crease therein, heated while maintaining the crease therein for a predetermined period under conditions which ensure that the water content of the fabric remains constant and, finally, rapidly cooled to set the crease. A fabric sample press cell includes a base which cooperates with a cap to enclose a chamber which is relatively narrow. The chamber receives a fabric sample folded back upon itself so that the fabric becomes creased. The base is sealingly connected to the cap by means of a resilient circular seal so that the sample is maintained sealingly enclosed within the chamber. Abutting the sample is a resilient disk which is backed by a resilient sheet. A clamp is provided to maintain the sample under pressure in the chamber to crease the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus to measure the bending length and bending rigidity of a piece of fabric comprising a generally planar surface upon which the plate of fabric is moved. The surface terminates at one end with an edge over which a leading end of the fabric passes. An optical device defines a plane extending downwardly from the surface edge at approximately 41.5 degrees. The optical device detects when the plane is intersected by the leading end of the fabric when, after a sufficient length of the piece of fabric has passed beyond the surface edge to cause bending of the fabric piece, the leading edge of the fabric intersects the plane.