Garment Manufacturing - The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide — Katana (2024)

4. Marking and fabric cuttings

Marking and cutting process are two of the most important steps in garment production.

Marking is the process of creating lines or markings on fabric to indicate where to cut the fabric. Cutting is cutting the fabric along those lines or markings. There are a few different ways to mark fabric for cutting.

People mostly use chalk or a similar marking tool to create temporary lines or marks on the fabric.

This is typically done on larger pieces of fabric, such as bolts of cloth. Another way to mark fabric is to use a permanent marker. This is often used for smaller pieces of fabric, such as swatches.

Permanent markers can be helpful because they will not rub off or fade over time like chalk can.

Once the fabric is marked, it is time to cut it. This can be done with a rotary cutter, scissors, or a knife. It is important to use sharp tools when cutting fabric to avoid fraying or tearing the material.

Marking and fabric cuttings are two essential steps in garment production.

By marking and cutting the fabric properly, ensuring that your garments are well-made and look professional.

5. Sewing

The next step is sewing, which is when the individual pieces of the garment are put together using a needle and thread or a sewing machine.

The sewing process is one of the most important steps in garment production. It is responsible for joining together all the pieces of fabric that make up a garment. Without sewing, garments would simply fall apart — along with the world we imagine.

Sewing can be done by:

• Hand
• Machine

Hand sewing is slower and more labor-intensive than machine sewing, but it can produce very delicate and intricate stitches. Machine sewing is faster and more efficient, but it can sometimes be less precise than hand sewing. There are many different types of stitches that can be used in sewing.

The type of stitch used will depend on the fabric being sewn, the purpose of the stitch, and the preference of the sewer.

Some common types of stitches include:

• Straight stitches
• Zigzag stitches
• Buttonholes

Straight stitches

Straight stitchesare simply stitches that are sewn in a straight line, and they can be used for just about any type of stitching.

These types of stitches are typically used for seams, hems, and other construction details.

An advantage of using straight stitches is that they’re extremely strong and durable. If a garment is subject to a lot of wear and tear, then it’s important to use a stitch that can withstand repeated use. Additionally, straight stitches are also relatively easy to cut and sew, making them ideal for mass customization.

Zigzag stitches

Zigzag stitchesare one of the most basic and essential types of stitches used in garment manufacturing.

They are created by sewing a series of zigzag-shaped stitches in a straight line and can be used to:

• Finish raw edges
• Join two pieces of fabric together
• Create decorative embellishments

Zigzag stitches are also sometimes used to reinforce other types of stitches, such as buttonholes.

There are a few different ways to create zigzag stitches on a sewing machine. The most common method is to use a zigzag foot, which is a specialized attachment that helps guide the fabric under the needle in a zigzag pattern. Some machines also have a built-in zigzag stitch function that can be selected with the press of a button.

When zigzag sewing stitches, it’s important to use the correct needle size and thread weight.

A too-small needle can cause the stitches to break, while a too-heavy thread can create unnecessary bulk. The stitch width and length should also be adjusted to suit the project at hand – wider stitches are better for decorative purposes, while narrower stitches are more functional.

Zigzag stitches are relatively easy to master with a little practice and can open up a whole world of possibilities for your sewing projects.

Buttonholes

Abuttonhole, also called a button loop or eyelet, is a small hole, usually round or oval, created in fabric so that a button may be passed through it and fastened.

Buttonholes may be sewn by hand or machine.

Hand-sewn buttonholes are considered more durable than machine-sewn ones and are more difficult to create. They are typically used on garments that will not be laundered often, such as suits and outerwear. Machine-sewn buttonholes are faster and easier to create than hand-sewn ones and are suitable for most garments, from casual wear to pajamas.

Buttonholes can be of different shapes, sizes, and finishes.

The most common shape is the round buttonhole, but oval and keyhole shapes are also popular. The buttonhole size should be slightly larger than the button it will be used with so that the button can easily be passed through it. Buttonholes can be finished in several ways, such as with a band of fabric (called a bartack) or binding bias tape.

They can also be left unfinished, which is common in children’s clothing.

Buttonholes are created before the garment is assembled. Once the buttonholes are in place, the buttons can be sewn on to correspond with them. Buttonholes are usually placed at strategic points on a garment, such as at the center front or cuff, to make it easier to fasten and unfasten the garment.

Creating perfect buttonholes can be challenging, but there are a few tips that can help:

• Use a sharp needle and good-quality thread — this will help to prevent skipped stitches
• Place a piece of stabilizer behind the fabric to prevent it from stretching or distorting as you sew
• Sew slowly and carefully, taking your time to create a neat and even buttonhole
• Practice on a scrap piece of fabric first to get the hang of it before sewing on your garment

Sewing is a critical part of garment production because it holds the fabric together.

Without sewing, garments would simply fall apart. Therefore, it is important to choose the right type of stitch for the fabric being sewn and the purpose of the stitch.

6. Finishing

The final step is pressing and finishing, which involves adding any embellishments or details to complete the garment. This can include:

• Buttons
• Snaps
• Zippers
• Appliqués.

The finishing process in garment manufacturing includes various methods used to improve the appearance and/or functionality of the fabric. Finishing can be performed on both woven and knitted fabrics. Common finishing process includes:

• Washing
• Bleaching
• Dyeing
• Printing
• Coating

Each of these clothing manufacturing processes can be done using either chemical or physical means.

In general, finishing production falls into one of three categories:

1. Those that improve the fabric’s appearance — e.g., by making it softer or adding color
2. Those that improve its performance — e.g., by making it more water-resistant
3. Those that add special features — e.g., by adding fire-retardant properties

Washing

Washing is perhaps the most common type of finishing process. It is typically used to remove impurities from the fabric, such as:

• Sizing agents
• Residual oils
• Waxes
• Dirt or debris that may have been picked up during manufacturing

Washing can also be used to shrink the fabric or soften it.

Bleaching

Bleaching is another common finishing treatment. It is used to whiten the fabric and/or remove any unwanted colors.

Dyeing

Dyeing is a finishing treatment that is used to add color to the fabric.

Printing

Printing is a finishing treatment that involves applying a design or pattern to the fabric.

Coating

The coating is a finishing treatment that involves applying a thin layer of material (usually plastic) to the fabric’s surface.

This coating can be used for a variety of purposes, such as to make the fabric water-resistant or to add a bit of extra stiffness. Many other types of finishing treatments are not discussed here. These include treatments such as:

• Singing (used to remove loose fibers from the surface of the fabric)
• Mercerizing (used to improve the luster and strength of the fabric)
• Calendaring (used to smooth out the fabric)