Abstract
This research investigated composite performance of fusible interlinings on apparel fabrics to show how the mechanical properties of single layer components translate to predict the hand of fused ensembles. Hardness, heaviness, crispness, and firmness are the primary hand properties determined by subjective evaluation to be the most important for the front panel of mens suiting materials. Results of the KES testing of mechanical properties revealed that tensile linearity(LT), compressional resilience(RC), and shear properties(G, 2HG) are the measurements that best correlate with these primary hand qualities. More desirable hand qualities were obtained for suiting materials with fusible interlinings and the polyester rich nonwoven interlining provided the best overall hand properties.