Fabrics for Merchandisers

An apparel merchandiser should know about fabric as it plays a significant role in apparel manufacturing.  Fabric cost constitutes 60 to 70% cost of the product. So, the selection of fabrics should be accurate to quote competitive prices as well as quality concerns. Effective skill in the selection of fabric and its utilization optimizes garment quality and profits. 

Thread Consumption Equation

Thread consumption may be carried out by an equation that is derived from stitch geometry for various stitch types. The equation is flexible and applicable to any given length of the seam, they are shown for one inch only, and may be multiplied by the length of the seam to determine the total thread consumed. 

Quality in Fabric spreading

Spreading quality may be consistent across all products or may vary with the specific product being produced, the targeted price range, and the quality standards and

Cut Piece Preparation For Sewing

After cutting, garment parts must be prepared for the sewing operation. Cut parts are separated from the lay, they are moved to a separate table or section of table for sorting, position marking, ply marking, face identification, bundling, bundle ticketing and

Quality In Fabric Cutting

Cutting Quality is achieved by cutting every part to be exactly as the pattern for that part with no adverse effects on the fabric. The higher the fabric is spread, the greater the challenge to cut every part with the best quality. Cutting quality is measured by several factors related to how the cutter controls the cutting process.

Needle Systems for Different Sewing Machine

A needle system defines the dimensions of a needle to suit the machine type. Needle systems are classified based primarily on three measurements: eye to butt length (D), shank length (N), and shank diameter (A), and specific to different stitch classes. 

Industrial Sewing Needle

Needle is a sewing device designed to penetrate the fabric and create a hole so that thread can be carried through the fabric. “A sewing machine is only as good as the needle in it!”

Identification of Industrial Sewing Needles

There are three parameters that are generally used for the identification of sewing needles such as system, point, and size. It is very much significant to select the right needle for the right operation. If the needle type does not match the machine types, fabric character, and thread size then it may cause thread breakage, skipped stitches, poor stitch uniformity, and fabric damage.

WRAP Principles

The Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) is a factory based, globally supported certification program designed to ensure that sewn products are produced under lawful, humane, and ethical condition. Apparel manufacturer may receive a certification of six month to two years based on compliance with 12 WRAP principles.

Common Abbreviations for Production and Quality

Following Abbreviations may be used in Production, Quality & Compliance

Seam Performance and Problem

Seam performance affects both the aesthetics and performance of a garment and are important to its saleability and longevity.

Sewing Thread Consumption

Sewing thread consumption refers to the requirement of thread per unit garment. Thread consumption is significant for cost constrain as well as uninterrupted production.

Types of Seams

A seam is a line where two pieces of fabric are joined by application of a series of stitches or stitch types with a defined geometry to one or several thicknesses of fabric material.

Stitch Classes and Types

A stitch is the configuration of the intralooping, interlooping, or interlacing of sewing thread in a specific repeated unit.

Introduction to Garment Pattern

Patterns are two dimensional templates or guides for cutting fabric to form a garment. Pattern may be made by designers or professional pattern maker. Different types of pattern are used