Which fabric is 100% cotton, spun, balanced plain weave and yarn dyed?

• A. Gingham
• B. Chambray
• C. Challis
• D. Cheesecloth

Answer: (A)

This question is testing how fabric characteristics—composition, weave, and dye method—fit together. Gingham matches all four traits: it is made from 100% cotton, using spun cotton yarns; it’s woven in a balanced plain weave (an equal number of warp and weft threads with the simple over-under pattern); and it is yarn-dyed, meaning the colors are added to the yarns before weaving to create the classic checked pattern. The checks come from alternating colored and undyed yarns in both directions, producing the familiar small grid.

Chambray can be 100% cotton and use a plain weave, but its look comes from a colored warp against a lighter weft rather than checks. Cheesecloth has a very loose, gauze-like plain weave and is not typically yarn-dyed into checks. Challis is a lightweight plain-weave fabric often solid-colored or printed, not characteristically a yarn-dyed check. So the fabric that fits all four criteria is gingham.