Elastic recovery and ageing: what to put on a waistband spec
Elongation, set, fatigue, heat and light — the lab numbers that decide whether an elastic still holds a waist after wash and a season on a hanger.
Jacquard webbing and brand tape
Logos woven into the tape, not printed on it — warp patterning, colour counts, widths and when a woven label is the better article.
Eyelets, grommets and rivets
How apparel eyelets differ from sail grommets, how Chinese size numbers map to inner diameter, and when you need a washer.
Metal sew-on and jeans buttons
Brass, zinc alloy, stainless and aluminium — which metal belongs on a fashion sew-on versus a denim tack button.
Nylon versus polypropylene webbing
Strength, water, cold, dye and cost — when polyamide tape is the right strap and when polypropylene is the honest cheaper article.
Elastic webbing and braids: cores, covers and constructions
Woven, knitted and braided elastics — latex, elastane and covered yarns — and how to spec a waist, cuff or bra tape that still recovers.
