Some designers wash or dry-clean a

Some designers wash or dry-clean a fabric once it has been made into a sample to see how it performs. Trims should also be tested to make sure they can withstand the same care instructions as the base goods. The designer may elect to send questionable fabrics to a professional testing laboratory that will run tests for color fastness ( 色牢度), washability and abrasion. These professional tests are especially important for garments that must stand up to the rigid quality-control inspections of mass merchandisers（大卖场） like Sears, JC Penney and Montgomery Ward. Working with fabrics is an excellent background for a beginning designer. Design students often get jobs selling fabrics over the counter, and this exposure to a variety of fabrics is good training. Home sewing is another good way to learn about fabrics. Experimentation and observation are the keys to developing a sense of fabrication（选料）.