Types of Spreads

There are two types of spreads with respect to alignment:-  

 i) Straight edge

(ii) Centered.

I) straight edge spreading

A straight edge spread has all the ply edges on one side of the spread superposed perfectly in a vertical line. The ply edge alignment on the other side of the spread may not be superposed in a vertical to the cattle. This will depend on the variation in cloth width among the bolts of fabrics used in the spread. If there is no width variation, both sides will form vertical lines to the tackle surface in a straight edge spread. If the fabric width varies from bolt to bolt within each bolt, only one side of a straight edge spread will have vertical superposing. The greater the width variation, the greater the unevenness in the non-straight edge.

(ii) Centered.

A centered spread is one in which the plies are spread with their longitudinal centers superposed in a vertical line. In a perfect quality spread of this type both side edges of every ply are equidistant from lengthwise center of the spread. Greater the variation in width or length alignment the greater the waste in precision cutting since the ends and sides must be trimmed to the narrowest and shortest plies.

Practically all spreads should be made width tension or slack. A light spread is one in which the plies have been stretched during the spreading process. Such a spread will contract its length after spreading. It will contract during the tune the spread lies waiting to be cut and during the chopping processing on the spreading table. The greater the tension in spreading, the greater the contraction from the marked component to the cut component. A light spread can be detected during spreading by inspecting the ends or checking the spreads tensile freedom. If the ply (or plies) is sketched, the ply ends will tend to shrink towards the middle of the spread. Tensile freedom is checked by inserting one or more fingers under the straight lengthwise side and raising the plies approximately one inch. If the lift is resisted or if the lift makes the ends contract the spread is light.

A slack spread possesses excess length within the stipulated ends of the spread. Billows and ridges on the surface of the spread are indications of slackness. Cut components from stock spread will tend to be oversized. The over sizing is wasted fabric.