The degree of ease with which a material conforms to the underlying shape is called

The degree of ease with which a material conforms to the underlying shape is called

• A. Drapability
• B. Draping
• C. Conformability
• D. Malleability

Answer: (A)

Fabrics have a property called drapability—the ease with which material follows the contours of a form. When a fabric has high drapability, it drapes smoothly and hugs curves and folds nicely; stiff fabrics resist bending and don’t contour as well. Draping is the act of shaping fabric on a form, not the inherent property, and malleability is a term used for metals, not fabrics. Conformability is used in other contexts, but for textiles the standard descriptor of how easily a fabric conforms to an underlying shape is drapability.

Fabrics have a property called drapability—the ease with which material follows the contours of a form. When a fabric has high drapability, it drapes smoothly and hugs curves and folds nicely; stiff fabrics resist bending and don’t contour as well. Draping is the act of shaping fabric on a form, not the inherent property, and malleability is a term used for metals, not fabrics. Conformability is used in other contexts, but for textiles the standard descriptor of how easily a fabric conforms to an underlying shape is drapability.