A professional who performs standardized chemical and physical tests on samples of cloth to verify adherence to specifications. Responsibilities include:

• Compares test results with specimens of cloth or prepared standard cards, graphs, or tables.
• Examines cloth microscopically or through magnifying glass to determine number of threads per inch, whether woven, warped or knitted, and to identify type of fibers, such as wool, nylon, cotton, polyester, acrylic, or a blend.
• Tests cloth for weight, fastness of dye, color, type of material, tensile strength, shrinkage, absorbency, or fire retardency, using special testing devices, chemicals, water, heat, drying oven, dehumidifier and scale.
• May test items, such as buttons, buckles, bindings, webbing, laces, and threads.
• May mix and apply chemicals to remove stains from garments or fabric soiled in manufacture or transit.