Abstract: The Tasar silk industry plays a vital role in rural employment, particularly among tribal and female populations. It is widely used for sarees, dress materials, and furnishings, with several GI-tagged varieties. Clothing comfort, influenced by tactile sensations, depends on the fabric's mechanical and thermal properties. Despite advancements, no research exists on the tactile comfort of Tasar silk. This study aims to fill that gap by evaluating the handle properties of plain, twill, and satin Tasar fabrics for women’s apparel.This study evaluates the low-stress mechanical and thermal properties of power loom-woven Tasar silk fabrics with three weave structures—Plain (T-P), Twill (T-T), and Sateen (T-S)—using the Kawabata Evaluation System. The Kawabata Evaluation System provides objective analysis, distinguishing different silk weaves based on stiffness, softness, and flexibility.The T-S weave exhibits superior stiffness and compression resistance, making it suitable for rigid applications. T-P offers excellent shear properties and grip, while T-T demonstrates the highest tensile strength, ideal for high-stress applications. T-T also provides the best balance of softness, smoothness, and thermal insulation, whereas T-S enhances stiffness but reduces pliability. Thermal analysis shows T-P excels in heat dissipation, while T-T is best for warmth retention. These findings guide fabric selection for tailored textile applications, with future research focusing on advanced finishing techniques.

Keywords: Handle Value, Kawabata, Plain Weave, Sateen Weave, Tasar Silk, Twill Weave, Thermal Value

| DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2025.12314