Drape
Drape turns up in 2 fields: nonwovens, textiles. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
Drape in nonwovens
How readily a fabric hangs and folds under its own weight, a comfort property for gowns, drapes and wipes.
Drape is measured by resting a circle of fabric on a smaller disk and measuring the shadow of the hanging overhang; the drape coefficient is that shadow area as a share of the flat overhang, so a lower figure means a softer fall. Low bending stiffness, light bonding and fine fibers improve it, while heavy binder and high bond area reduce it. Medical gown and drape makers watch it closely because a stiff gown is tiring to wear.
"Gown fabric passes barrier but the surgeons say it doesn't drape, it stands off the body like paper."
Drape in textiles
The way a fabric hangs, folds, and flows under its own weight.
Drape describes the fluid behavior of a textile as it hangs from the body or a form. It is determined by the fiber content, yarn twist, weave structure, and finishing processes. A fabric with high drape, like silk charmeuse, clings and flows, while a fabric with low drape, like heavy canvas, stands away from the body and holds stiff folds.
"This bias-cut skirt requires a rayon blend to get the right drape."