Discover the fibre content of fabrics using a simple home test, The Burn Test.

I remember when I first began to sew and I had no idea what fabric content really meant.  Browsing through the fabric stores presented no problem, the bolts are clearly labelled for the customers.  What about when you have stumbled across a great estate sale, where there are boxes of fabric with no labels? Hopefully the seller can assist you with their own knowledge of the coveted fabric.  If the seller has no idea, then what?  This is where the good ole' Burn Test comes in handy!

 The burn test is super easy but I only recommend adults try this activity. You are going to seperate the strands of your chosen fabric into crosswise threads and lengthwise threads. Test them seperately, to distiguish any differences, which will indicate your fabric is a blend of fibers.  Have a porcelain dish ready to hold the burning fiber. Do not use matches. Instead use a candle or lighter, as they have no smell. Watch the fiber for the following:

1. How fast is the thread buning?

2. What does it smell like?

3. What sort of ash is left behind?

The answer to these 3 questions will indicate the sort of fabric you have tested. The following information categorizes common fabrics with their characteristics.

• Cotton: Burns very quickly with a large yellow flame. The fire wil creep along the threads. The odor is like burning  paper. The ash is brown grey, feathery and floats away.
• Linen: Burns slower than cotton. The odo is similar to paper or burning wood. The ash will be dark grey and can be heavier than cotton due to thicker yarn.
• Wool : Has a smaller slower flame and will not flare. Wool will sizzle and curl. The odor is like burnt hair or feathers. Ash will be crisp and dark. It will crumble if crushed.
• Silk- Pure: Will burn slowly, the burning stops if withdrawn from the flame. The odor will be similar to wool but faint. The residue will form round hard beads which are easily crushed.
• Silk - Weighted: There will be no flame here. The thread will char and glow. the odor will be the same as pure silk. The ouline of the slilghtly curled threads wil remain.
• Rayon: This fiber wil burn very quickly. The smell of burning rayon is similar to paper or rags. There will be little ash, it will be powdery and blacker than cotton.
• Acetate: Will burn reluctantly, sparking and sputtering. The odor is very much like vinegar. The ash will be hard and black, also hard to crush.
• Nylon: Will melt or fuse to itself. Nylon smells like beans or burning string. The ash forms hard glassy beads that can not be crushed.

Keep in mind there are other methods to identify textiles. If you complete the burn test and still feel unsure, then you can try one of the other methods. I will discuss these methods, in more detail,  in other Guides here on ebay. I hope you have found this information useful. I appreciate any feedback or suggestions you have. Do you have a sewing related question? Please visit my store and drop me an email, I would be happy to help in any way I can.

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