Bow and skew

Arun Kumar Pradhan

Bow and skew, is created when the pattern is distorted across the width of the fabric.
Bow: When the filling yarns lye in an arc across the width of the fabric. The pattern in the middle of the
fabric is ahead or behind the sides. Bow is defined as the greatest distance, measured parallel to the
selvages, between a filling or course yarn, stripe, or dominant line and a straight line perpendicular to
the selvedges.

Skew: Distortion in the construction of the fabric i.e. in the yarn that constitute the fabric. The pattern
on one side of the fabric is ahead the pattern on the opposite side. Skew (bias) is defined as the distance
measure parallel to and along a selvage between the point at which a filling or course yarn, stripe, or
dominant line meets the other selvedge.

Fig-1: Bow and Skew

 1.

Fig-2: Method of measurement for maximum distortions due to bow

Method of Measurement for Skew (Bias):

1. Lay the fabric, without tension, on a horizontal surface at least three yards long.
2. Place a straight edge across the fabric perpendicular to the selvages at a point where a filling
or course yarn, stripe, or dominant line begins at the selvage.
3. Measure the distance parallel to and along a selvage between the point at which the yarn,
stripe, or dominant line meets this selvage and the perpendicular line to the selvage form the
point at which the same yarn, stripe, or dominant line meets the opposite selvage (See Fig- 3)
4. Repeat this procedure at least three places along the length of the fabric and report the
average maximum bias.
 Fig-3. – Method of measurement for maximum distortion due to skew

Standard:
All WOVEN fabrics shall not exceed more than 0.5" of bow or 1.0" of skew.

All KNIT fabrics shall not exceed more than .75" of bow or 1.0" of skew.