Shearing (textiles)

Have you ever had a haircut? Just like we go to a hairdresser, fabric can also have its own hairdresser too, called a Shearer. Sometimes, if a fabric has too many loose strands or fibers sticking out, the Shearer will come along and cut them off with a special tool. This process is called Shearing. The special tool is like scissors, but instead of cutting one strand at a time, it can cut many strands at once.

When the loose strands or fibers are cut off, the fabric feels smoother to touch and looks neater. Shearing can also be used to create a certain texture on a fabric, by cutting some fibers shorter than others. It's like giving the fabric a fancy haircut! Overall, Shearing helps to make fabrics look and feel their best, just like we do after a visit to the hairdresser.