The initial load-extension modulus of a cloth is analyzed and is shown to depend not only on the bending modutus of the yarn and the geometry it takes up in the cloth, but also on the history of the fabric. It is found that fabrics which still retain their stressed condition, which arose when the cloth was made, have a much higher modulus. By considering the extreme cases of grey and completely relaxed fabric, it is shown that the theoretical deductions are in accord with experimental findings.