摘要 |
<p>A method of treating a woven fabric of thermoplastic synthetic fibres to produce a two-way stretchable fabric (20) which comprises providing a fabric (20) having stretch characteristics in the width direction, applying heat and pressure to the fabric (20) in such a manner that the yarn strands substantially across the width of the fabric (20) are forced closer together thus imparting stretch into the fabric (20) in the length direction. The fabric (20) material is a synthetic material which is thermoplastic and can be heat set, such as a polyester or polyamide textile material. Stretch in the width direction (normally the weft direction) may be produced conventionally, but owing to processing constraints, it is not normally as easy to produce as much stretch in the length (or warp) direction. By subjecting such a fabric (20) to compressive shrinkage, the stretch in the warp direction is increased. Moreover, owing to the thermoplastic nature of the yarns, this stretch is heat set and is therefore 'permanent'.</p> |