Study of the Pilling Resistance of Polyester Knitted Fabrics Used in Nigerian School Uniform Production

School uniforms represent a large and consistent segment of the Nigerian textiles market, with polyester and polyester blend knitted fabrics widely used for their durability, easy care properties, and colour retention. This study evaluates the pilling resistance of polyester single-jersey and interlock knitted fabrics sourced from wholesale markets in Oshogbo, Osun State, South West Nigeria, assessing compliance with quality expectations for school uniform applications. Fabric samples from six domestic and four imported suppliers were tested using the Martindale pilling tester at 125, 500, 1000, and 2000 abrasion cycles, and rated on the standard 1-to-5 pilling scale. Physical fabric parameters including yarn count, stitch density, loop length, fabric weight, and yarn twist were measured to establish correlations with pilling tendency. Results show that imported polyester fabrics consistently rated 4 to 5 after 2000 cycles, while domestic products ranged from 2 to 4, indicating broader quality variation in local supply. Higher stitch density and lower loop length were positively correlated with improved pilling resistance. Fabrics with higher yarn twist values showed reduced surface fuzzing and lower pill formation tendency. Statistical analysis using Pearson correlation confirmed yarn twist as the strongest predictor of pilling performance among measured parameters. The study recommends the establishment of minimum pilling resistance specifications of grade 3 after 1000 cycles in procurement standards for school uniform fabrics, and provides quality selection criteria for school authorities and uniform suppliers in South West Nigeria. Keywords: pilling resistance, polyester knit, school uniform, fabric quality, Osun State