The evaluation of the tensile properties of geosynthetics has been of paramount importance for the design for reinforcement applications of geotextiles. For the stabilization of very soft sediments in particular, criteria for fabric testing have been studied since this technique was first proposed by Haliburton et al. 1 This paper reviews the test parameters that can influence the apparent tensile properties of a geosynthetic to demonstrate the rational behind the wide width strip method recently adopted as ASTM D-4595-86. Along with the tensile properties of geotextiles, seam strength is of growing importance to engineers. The interaction of geotextile and seam as well as the potential for seam inconsistencies introduce a new set of parameters that influence seam testing. This paper identifies some of these parameters and presents the current effort within ASTM to standardize a geotextile seam strength test method. Field measurements of the performance (strain) of geotextiles in place can provide a better indication of the actual performance of the soil encapsulated fabric. Past methods used to monitor in-place strains within the fabrics are reviewed, as are the problems relating to the difficulty of interpretation of strains in geotextiles under laboratory or field conditions. At this time there is still a need for subjective interpretations.