One important quality characteristic in processing textile fabrics is seam slippage resistance.

This example concerns the P12 test developed by Marks & Spencer* for testing seam slippage on apparel fabrics. This standard describes the determination of the resistance offered by the yarn filaments in an apparel fabric to a shift in the seam area caused by the sewing threads. The 75 mm wide fabric specimens are held in screw grips and the force is measured when the seam separates by a defined distance. The force-travel diagrams of a seamed and a seamless reference test specimen of the same material are then compared.

*Marks and Spencer is the registered trademark of Marks and Spencer Limited.