A spectrophotometer determined variations in dyed cotton 7and manmade fabric color uniformity. Such fiber properties as micronaire, maturity ratio, and fluorescence affected shade variation in the dyed fabrics. Image processing techniques determined cotton fiber maturity. The study resulted in an equation relating fiber properties to color irregularity. The color uniformity of dyed fabrics manufactured from combed yarns was 20 percent lower in light and medium shades and 8 percent lower in dark shades than that of fabrics manufactured from carded yarns. Fabrics manufactured from polyester and viscose showed Shade Variations of approximately 0.5. 8 refs.