The two layers of bilayered vegetable fabric from ridge gourd were analyzed by FTIR, chemical, X-ray, and thermogravimetric methods before and after alkali treatment. The morphology of the fabrics in the two layers, before and after alkali treatment, was also studied using SEM technique. The FTIR and chemical analyses indicated lowering of lignin and hemicellulose content by alkali treatment in the fabric of both layers. Further, the X-ray diffraction revealed increase in crystallinity of the fabric by alkali treatment. The thermal stability of the fabric was also found to increase by alkali treatment. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.