This paper reviews the approaches used by researchers in determining relaxed fabric dimensions, namely the experimental approach, the use of geometrical models of observed loop shapes, and the physical models to predict loop shapes. It presents the results of new experimental work in this area which were evaluated by the application of linear regression analysis for each relaxed state and for each yarn type. The paper concludes that the best line through the origin may not always apply to the experimental results, and argues that the linear regression analyses with real intercepts, and also curve fittings other than straight lines, could be applied to the experimental results, offering some possible explanations for the curves obtained.