Which fabric is 65% polyester/35% cotton, spun, unbalanced plain weave, piece dyed (union), with a permanent press finish?

Which fabric is 65% polyester/35% cotton, spun, unbalanced plain weave, piece dyed (union), with a permanent press finish?

• A. Butcher Rayon
• B. Broadcloth
• C. Poplin
• D. Shantung

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is how weave structure, fiber blend, and finishing together shape a fabric’s look and performance. An unbalanced plain weave creates a subtle rib effect because the warp and weft differ in thickness, which is a hallmark of poplin. The 65% polyester / 35% cotton blend brings together softness with wrinkle resistance, and a permanent press finish is a common treatment for poly-cotton fabrics to keep them smoother with less ironing. Piece-dyed (union) means the warp and weft are dyed the same color, giving a uniform appearance typical of dress fabrics like poplin. Taken together, these characteristics—unbalanced plain weave with a fine warp and stronger weft, poly-cotton composition, union dyeing, and a wrinkle-resistant finish—point to poplin. The other fabrics don’t fit as well because their typical weave, fiber content, or surface texture differs (for example, broadcloth is usually a balanced plain weave and often 100% cotton; shantung has a textured, slubbed surface; rayon-based fabrics aren’t poly-cotton blends).

The key idea here is how weave structure, fiber blend, and finishing together shape a fabric’s look and performance. An unbalanced plain weave creates a subtle rib effect because the warp and weft differ in thickness, which is a hallmark of poplin. The 65% polyester / 35% cotton blend brings together softness with wrinkle resistance, and a permanent press finish is a common treatment for poly-cotton fabrics to keep them smoother with less ironing. Piece-dyed (union) means the warp and weft are dyed the same color, giving a uniform appearance typical of dress fabrics like poplin. Taken together, these characteristics—unbalanced plain weave with a fine warp and stronger weft, poly-cotton composition, union dyeing, and a wrinkle-resistant finish—point to poplin. The other fabrics don’t fit as well because their typical weave, fiber content, or surface texture differs (for example, broadcloth is usually a balanced plain weave and often 100% cotton; shantung has a textured, slubbed surface; rayon-based fabrics aren’t poly-cotton blends).