Most of us love to wear knitted fabrics that are so comfortable due to their perfect fit and stretchability. However, I am doubtful as to how much each of us know about the knitting process followed by the apparel manufacturing companies for making highly popular clothing such as sports wear, underwear, sweaters, suits, coats, rugs and other home furnishings.


Industrial Knitting
Knitting is the second most popular method of fabric construction, after weaving. The complex knitting industry has two primary divisions, one of which manufactures knitted fabrics for garment manufacturers, sewing centers, consumers etc. and the other one produces completed apparels such as hosiery, sweaters, underwear etc.

A knitted fabric is made with yarns formed into interlocking loops with the help of hooked needles. Crocheted fabrics are the simplest form of knitting where a chain of loops is constructed from a single thread with the help of a hook. When the interlocking loops run lengthwise, each row is called a wale identified with the direction of warp in woven fabrics. When the loops run across the fabric, each row is called a course which corresponds to the filling or weft in woven fabrics.

Apart from the number of stitches or loops per square inch in a knitted fabric, the needle quality also decide its properties. With varying thickness and length of needles the stitches will also get thicker and longer respectively. There are three types of needles that are mostly used for industrial knitting- the latch needle, spring-beard needle, and compound needle.

Types of Knitted Fabrics

Depending upon the wales and courses, there are two types of knitted fabrics
1.Weft knit fabric, where one continuous yarn forms courses across the fabric.
2.
3.Warp knit fabric, where a series of yarns form wales in the lengthwise direction of the fabric.

Weft Knitting has three basic stitches- Plain-knit stitch; Purl stitch; and Rib stitch. Any other stitch is a variation of these three stitches. basic stitches of hand knitting can be identified with weft knitting. When done on weft knitting machines, individual yarn is fed to a single or multiple needles at a time.

In warp Knitting, each needle loops its own thread. The needles of warp knitting machines produce parallel rows of loops that are interlocked in a zigzag pattern. The stitches on the front side vertical with a slight angle. The stitches on the back are horizontal as floats at a slight angle. These floats are called laps or underlaps and are a distinguished features of warp knit fabrics. There are seven basic types of warp knitting- Tricot knit; Milanese knit; Simplex knit; Raschel knit; Ketten Raschel knit; Crochet and Weft-insertion warp.

Warp knit fabrics are smooth, sheer, wrinkle resistant, shrink strength and abrasion resistant as such they are very popular with the masses. Warp knit fabrics are considered better than the weft knit fabrics as these fabrics do not ravel easily, are less prone to sagging and have superior dimensional ability.

Most of us love to wear knitted fabrics that are so comfortable due to their perfect fit and stretchability. However, I am doubtful as to how much each of us know about the knitting process followed by the apparel manufacturing companies for making highly popular clothing such as sports wear, underwear, sweaters, suits, coats, rugs and other home furnishings.


Industrial Knitting
Knitting is the second most popular method of fabric construction, after weaving. The complex knitting industry has two primary divisions, one of which manufactures knitted fabrics for garment manufacturers, sewing centers, consumers etc. and the other one produces completed apparels such as hosiery, sweaters, underwear etc.

A knitted fabric is made with yarns formed into interlocking loops with the help of hooked needles. Crocheted fabrics are the simplest form of knitting where a chain of loops is constructed from a single thread with the help of a hook. When the interlocking loops run lengthwise, each row is called a wale identified with the direction of warp in woven fabrics. When the loops run across the fabric, each row is called a course which corresponds to the filling or weft in woven fabrics.

Apart from the number of stitches or loops per square inch in a knitted fabric, the needle quality also decide its properties. With varying thickness and length of needles the stitches will also get thicker and longer respectively. There are three types of needles that are mostly used for industrial knitting- the latch needle, spring-beard needle, and compound needle.

Types of Knitted Fabrics

Depending upon the wales and courses, there are two types of knitted fabrics
1.Weft knit fabric, where one continuous yarn forms courses across the fabric.
2.
3.Warp knit fabric, where a series of yarns form wales in the lengthwise direction of the fabric.

Weft Knitting has three basic stitches- Plain-knit stitch; Purl stitch; and Rib stitch. Any other stitch is a variation of these three stitches. basic stitches of hand knitting can be identified with weft knitting. When done on weft knitting machines, individual yarn is fed to a single or multiple needles at a time.

In warp Knitting, each needle loops its own thread. The needles of warp knitting machines produce parallel rows of loops that are interlocked in a zigzag pattern. The stitches on the front side vertical with a slight angle. The stitches on the back are horizontal as floats at a slight angle. These floats are called laps or underlaps and are a distinguished features of warp knit fabrics. There are seven basic types of warp knitting- Tricot knit; Milanese knit; Simplex knit; Raschel knit; Ketten Raschel knit; Crochet and Weft-insertion warp.

Warp knit fabrics are smooth, sheer, wrinkle resistant, shrink strength and abrasion resistant as such they are very popular with the masses. Warp knit fabrics are considered better than the weft knit fabrics as these fabrics do not ravel easily, are less prone to sagging and have superior dimensional ability.

Summers are here and the sun is set to work without rest! In summers, heat and high humidity levels make our body to produce more sweat in order to cool off. And therefore, we all know what summer fabrics should be- breathable, lightweight, and light-colored! Skin has to be literally pampered so it's wise to stay away from chemically dyed fabrics and wear more herbal textile that use natural dyes to produce fantastic colors. And if these colors are chosen according to the current color trends, what's better then that?

Say Bye to Metallic Colors!
If we believe the predictions made for Spring-Summer 2009 the trend seems to be moving away from metallic colors towards more earthy and subdued color palette.

Color Trend for Classic Looks
The classical color palette holds vivid and saturated colors that bring with them cool breezes of beach side – blues and the sandy hues. Deep sea blue, aqua sky or midnight sky, dark, medium or light brown, sand color - all will give that classical touch to your clothes.

Color Trend for Stylish and Trendy Looks
The Chic color palette holds the nature inspired hues. They represent simplicity with style including the Earthy colors heavily on the side of brown but more than just brown. Go for any color inspired by mother nature- morning grass green, subdued orange, violet or golden yellow!

Color Trend for Casual Looks
The Casual color palette makes a move from nature based colors to city life inspired colors- glassy blues, unnatural pinks and street light yellows.

Color Of the Year 2009!
Now hold your breath to know the top color of year 2009! It's none other than the Superb yellow! Match it with black, brown, plum or blue and get as bright as you can!

Summers are here and the sun is set to work without rest! In summers, heat and high humidity levels make our body to produce more sweat in order to cool off. And therefore, we all know what summer fabrics should be- breathable, lightweight, and light-colored! Skin has to be literally pampered so it's wise to stay away from chemically dyed fabrics and wear more herbal textile that use natural dyes to produce fantastic colors. And if these colors are chosen according to the current color trends, what's better then that?

Say Bye to Metallic Colors!
If we believe the predictions made for Spring-Summer 2009 the trend seems to be moving away from metallic colors towards more earthy and subdued color palette.

Color Trend for Classic Looks
The classical color palette holds vivid and saturated colors that bring with them cool breezes of beach side – blues and the sandy hues. Deep sea blue, aqua sky or midnight sky, dark, medium or light brown, sand color - all will give that classical touch to your clothes.

Color Trend for Stylish and Trendy Looks
The Chic color palette holds the nature inspired hues. They represent simplicity with style including the Earthy colors heavily on the side of brown but more than just brown. Go for any color inspired by mother nature- morning grass green, subdued orange, violet or golden yellow!

Color Trend for Casual Looks
The Casual color palette makes a move from nature based colors to city life inspired colors- glassy blues, unnatural pinks and street light yellows.

Color Of the Year 2009!
Now hold your breath to know the top color of year 2009! It's none other than the Superb yellow! Match it with black, brown, plum or blue and get as bright as you can!

Everyone these days seem to be talking about eco-friendly products. Textile industry too has become aware of the trend and has introduced many eco-friendly fibers for manufacturing eco-friendly fabrics. There is a common understanding among the masses that all natural fibers are eco-friendly and the man- made fibers are not. However, There are certain if's and but's regarding this general theory. Let's know what the actual meaning of eco-friendly fibers is!

What are Eco- friendly Fibers

All natural fibers are not eco-friendly. If there is extensive application of harmful pesticides or insecticides while cultivating, say, cotton- it doesn't remain eco friendly. Also the textile chemicals applied during the finishing and other processes of textile production goes to kill the eco friendly character of these fibers. However, if it's an organic cultivation without any pesticides etc. and if they are processed with mechanical or other ways without any chemicals then only a fabric can be termed as eco-friendly. The same is true for animal fibers like wool where pesticides are used in sheep dips and harmful drugs are given to cure animal diseases but then organic wool is there which is eco-friendly fiber.

As far as man made fibers are concerned, they too can be eco friendly. These are regenerated fibers. They are of two types- having protein origin and having cellulose origin. Protein origin regenerated fibers are obtained from plant protein like corn, soy, peanut etc. or from animal protein like casein from milk. Regenerated fibers of cellulose origin are derived from cellulose of wood pulp or leaves such as rayon fiber. If manufactured in environmental friendly way, they can be very well put into the category of eco friendly fibers.

Some Eco- Friendly Fibers

There are many eco- friendly fibers that are gaining popularity these days. Stinging nettle fiber comes from the Brennessel plant, naturally resistant to vermin and parasites and can be grown without pesticides, herbicides and with very little fertilizers. They are often blended with organic cotton to make a very eco-friendly fiber. It is stronger than cotton and finer than linen having fine weft and glossy look. Then there is eco-friendly pineapple fiber, the pina fiber made from pineapple leaves. The pineapple fabrics are lightweight, soft, transparent and a little stiff fabric with glossy appearance.

Milk yarn derived from milk protein fiber is yet another eco- friendly fiber that goes into making skin friendly, antibacterial, antifungal, and highly absorbent fabric. Bamboo fiber, the cellulose fiber- mechanically processed from bamboo plant, makes smooth, soft, antibacterial and luxurious fabric which has become very popular in present day fashion circles. Yet another eco- friendly, strong, shiny, lightweight and bio-degradable banana fiber is used extensively for fashion clothing and home furnishings.

Everyone these days seem to be talking about eco-friendly products. Textile industry too has become aware of the trend and has introduced many eco-friendly fibers for manufacturing eco-friendly fabrics. There is a common understanding among the masses that all natural fibers are eco-friendly and the man- made fibers are not. However, There are certain if's and but's regarding this general theory. Let's know what the actual meaning of eco-friendly fibers is!

What are Eco- friendly Fibers

All natural fibers are not eco-friendly. If there is extensive application of harmful pesticides or insecticides while cultivating, say, cotton- it doesn't remain eco friendly. Also the textile chemicals applied during the finishing and other processes of textile production goes to kill the eco friendly character of these fibers. However, if it's an organic cultivation without any pesticides etc. and if they are processed with mechanical or other ways without any chemicals then only a fabric can be termed as eco-friendly. The same is true for animal fibers like wool where pesticides are used in sheep dips and harmful drugs are given to cure animal diseases but then organic wool is there which is eco-friendly fiber.

As far as man made fibers are concerned, they too can be eco friendly. These are regenerated fibers. They are of two types- having protein origin and having cellulose origin. Protein origin regenerated fibers are obtained from plant protein like corn, soy, peanut etc. or from animal protein like casein from milk. Regenerated fibers of cellulose origin are derived from cellulose of wood pulp or leaves such as rayon fiber. If manufactured in environmental friendly way, they can be very well put into the category of eco friendly fibers.

Some Eco- Friendly Fibers

There are many eco- friendly fibers that are gaining popularity these days. Stinging nettle fiber comes from the Brennessel plant, naturally resistant to vermin and parasites and can be grown without pesticides, herbicides and with very little fertilizers. They are often blended with organic cotton to make a very eco-friendly fiber. It is stronger than cotton and finer than linen having fine weft and glossy look. Then there is eco-friendly pineapple fiber, the pina fiber made from pineapple leaves. The pineapple fabrics are lightweight, soft, transparent and a little stiff fabric with glossy appearance.

Milk yarn derived from milk protein fiber is yet another eco- friendly fiber that goes into making skin friendly, antibacterial, antifungal, and highly absorbent fabric. Bamboo fiber, the cellulose fiber- mechanically processed from bamboo plant, makes smooth, soft, antibacterial and luxurious fabric which has become very popular in present day fashion circles. Yet another eco- friendly, strong, shiny, lightweight and bio-degradable banana fiber is used extensively for fashion clothing and home furnishings.

Man has always been attracted towards beauty and in his pursuit of beauty, he has discovered many beautiful things too. Crocheted fabric is one such inventions of men which are made from simple materials like yarn or thread using a crochet hook. Crocheting is very similar to knitting as it is simply pulling loops of yarn through other loops. However, in crocheting, only one loop is active at a time with the exception of Tunisian crochet. It also differs from knitting in respect of its crochet hook which is used instead of knitting needles.

Development of Crocheted Fabrics
It is believed that primitive man did crocheting with the help of bent forefinger and as such there is no material evidence of its existence in those ages. However, crocheting as a tradition was prevalent in Arabia, South America, or China though there is no decisive evidence regarding this. It became popular in 19th century in Europe as craft. With industrialization, when the inexpensive cotton threads became readily available, crocheting saw a boom in its popularity. It saw a downtrend after World War I but again became popular after World War II when people regained their interests in various crafts. The crocheting patterns reappeared in many magazines and in the present times, it is such a popular craft that most of the yarn stores offer crochet lessons along with the traditional knitting lessons apart from full magazines dedicated to the craft of crocheting.

Crocheting Process
Crochet patterns are based on mathematical structure and are quite difficult to understand when viewed in a two-dimensional presentation. Crocheting is done by placing a slip-knot loop on the hook, pulling another loop through the first loop, and repeating this process a number of times till a chain of required length is created. The chain is used in two ways- it is either turned and worked in rows, or joined to the beginning of the row with a slip stitch and worked in rounds. Rounds can also be made by working many stitches into a single loop. Stitches are made by pulling one or more loops through each loop of the chain. At the end of a stitch, there is always only one loop left on the hook.

Types of Crochet
There are many types of crochets that include Filet crochet, Tunisian crochet, broomstick lace, hairpin lace, and Irish crochet among others. Filet crochet is a type of crocheted fabric or a crocheted lace made with chain stitch and the double crochet stitch. It is mainly used to create decorative items such as doilies, tablecloth, coasters, placemats etc. Tunisian crochet is the most unique as it keeps many loops active while crocheting and thus it is sometimes equated with knitting also. Broomstick lace uses a crochet hook and a long slender item like a knitting needle and the fabric made from this type of crochet is used for clothing and blankets. Hairpin lace is made with the help of two parallel metal rods. Strips are made by this method and then joined together to create a lightweight fabric. In Irisish crochet, motifs are made separately and then assembled into a mesh background.

Man has always been attracted towards beauty and in his pursuit of beauty, he has discovered many beautiful things too. Crocheted fabric is one such inventions of men which are made from simple materials like yarn or thread using a crochet hook. Crocheting is very similar to knitting as it is simply pulling loops of yarn through other loops. However, in crocheting, only one loop is active at a time with the exception of Tunisian crochet. It also differs from knitting in respect of its crochet hook which is used instead of knitting needles.

Development of Crocheted Fabrics
It is believed that primitive man did crocheting with the help of bent forefinger and as such there is no material evidence of its existence in those ages. However, crocheting as a tradition was prevalent in Arabia, South America, or China though there is no decisive evidence regarding this. It became popular in 19th century in Europe as craft. With industrialization, when the inexpensive cotton threads became readily available, crocheting saw a boom in its popularity. It saw a downtrend after World War I but again became popular after World War II when people regained their interests in various crafts. The crocheting patterns reappeared in many magazines and in the present times, it is such a popular craft that most of the yarn stores offer crochet lessons along with the traditional knitting lessons apart from full magazines dedicated to the craft of crocheting.

Crocheting Process
Crochet patterns are based on mathematical structure and are quite difficult to understand when viewed in a two-dimensional presentation. Crocheting is done by placing a slip-knot loop on the hook, pulling another loop through the first loop, and repeating this process a number of times till a chain of required length is created. The chain is used in two ways- it is either turned and worked in rows, or joined to the beginning of the row with a slip stitch and worked in rounds. Rounds can also be made by working many stitches into a single loop. Stitches are made by pulling one or more loops through each loop of the chain. At the end of a stitch, there is always only one loop left on the hook.

Types of Crochet
There are many types of crochets that include Filet crochet, Tunisian crochet, broomstick lace, hairpin lace, and Irish crochet among others. Filet crochet is a type of crocheted fabric or a crocheted lace made with chain stitch and the double crochet stitch. It is mainly used to create decorative items such as doilies, tablecloth, coasters, placemats etc. Tunisian crochet is the most unique as it keeps many loops active while crocheting and thus it is sometimes equated with knitting also. Broomstick lace uses a crochet hook and a long slender item like a knitting needle and the fabric made from this type of crochet is used for clothing and blankets. Hairpin lace is made with the help of two parallel metal rods. Strips are made by this method and then joined together to create a lightweight fabric. In Irisish crochet, motifs are made separately and then assembled into a mesh background.

Beachwear as the name suggests refers to the item of clothing worn by people at the beach. Women are closely related with beachwear. This is the reason why, whenever we talk about beach clothing the picture of a woman (wearing a beach suit) flashes through our mind at once. Frankly speaking, beachwear most suits on women and increases their sex appeal.

Beachwear as the name suggests refers to the item of clothing worn by people at the beach. Women are closely related with beachwear. This is the reason why, whenever we talk about beach clothing the picture of a woman (wearing a beach suit) flashes through our mind at once. Frankly speaking, beachwear most suits on women and increases their sex appeal.

Beat the Heat with Natural Fiber Fabrics this Summer! Your comfort in the hot season depends largely on your fabric choice. To stay cool, dry and comfortable, choose fabrics that are made up of smooth and absorbent fibers. Avoid Spun fibers, or napped, pile or fuzzy fabrics. Go for open, smoother, looser weaves or knits like mesh or seersucker. Light-colored and lightweight fabrics are good choices as far as summers are concerned.

Cotton: The all time favorite cotton is the best deal in summers. It is soft, breathable, soaks sweat, allows the body heat to escape, thus giving you cool feeling. It is available in lots of qualities, colors and blends. As it wrinkles a little, you can opt for cotton and polyester blend with a bigger proportion of cotton. Cotton will keep you cool and polyester don't needs ironing.

Linen: Pure linen that comes in different weights from ultra thin to heavy, is ideal for summer clothing- lighter ones for blouses and dresses and the heavier for summer jackets and slacks. Linen is strong, durable, absorbs perspiration and dries quickly, doesn't lint and softens as it ages. It feels cool and comfortable more than any other fabric. However, it wrinkles a lot so you can go for the luxurious blend of linen and cotton.

Rayon: Rayon derived from cotton linters or wood pulp, comes in many types-viscose, high wet-modulus, lyocell (tencel) etc. and is often blended with other natural and synthetic fibers. A comparison of rayon with other fibers show that rayon is a a good conductor of heat and thus is appropriate for summer clothing. It is one of the most absorbent fabrics, even more than cotton or linen.

Denim: Denim is also a popular fabric for summer times. It is made from tightly woven cotton and is breathable, sweat-absorbent just like cotton. However, when compared to pure cotton, denim is more heavier than it. Therefore, one must go for lightweight denim in order to keep cool in summers.

Lightweight wools: Not many people know that, with correct engineering, wool can be made to act as a very cool fabric for summer heat. The astonishing and interesting fact about summer suits is that they are made of light weight wool apart from cotton and linen. Wool has excellent insulating properties and as such it keeps wearer warm in winter and cool in summer provided the fiber diameter, length, spinning technology etc. are appropriate to produce 'Cool wool'.

Beat the Heat with Natural Fiber Fabrics this Summer! Your comfort in the hot season depends largely on your fabric choice. To stay cool, dry and comfortable, choose fabrics that are made up of smooth and absorbent fibers. Avoid Spun fibers, or napped, pile or fuzzy fabrics. Go for open, smoother, looser weaves or knits like mesh or seersucker. Light-colored and lightweight fabrics are good choices as far as summers are concerned.

Cotton: The all time favorite cotton is the best deal in summers. It is soft, breathable, soaks sweat, allows the body heat to escape, thus giving you cool feeling. It is available in lots of qualities, colors and blends. As it wrinkles a little, you can opt for cotton and polyester blend with a bigger proportion of cotton. Cotton will keep you cool and polyester don't needs ironing.

Linen: Pure linen that comes in different weights from ultra thin to heavy, is ideal for summer clothing- lighter ones for blouses and dresses and the heavier for summer jackets and slacks. Linen is strong, durable, absorbs perspiration and dries quickly, doesn't lint and softens as it ages. It feels cool and comfortable more than any other fabric. However, it wrinkles a lot so you can go for the luxurious blend of linen and cotton.

Rayon: Rayon derived from cotton linters or wood pulp, comes in many types-viscose, high wet-modulus, lyocell (tencel) etc. and is often blended with other natural and synthetic fibers. A comparison of rayon with other fibers show that rayon is a a good conductor of heat and thus is appropriate for summer clothing. It is one of the most absorbent fabrics, even more than cotton or linen.

Denim: Denim is also a popular fabric for summer times. It is made from tightly woven cotton and is breathable, sweat-absorbent just like cotton. However, when compared to pure cotton, denim is more heavier than it. Therefore, one must go for lightweight denim in order to keep cool in summers.

Lightweight wools: Not many people know that, with correct engineering, wool can be made to act as a very cool fabric for summer heat. The astonishing and interesting fact about summer suits is that they are made of light weight wool apart from cotton and linen. Wool has excellent insulating properties and as such it keeps wearer warm in winter and cool in summer provided the fiber diameter, length, spinning technology etc. are appropriate to produce 'Cool wool'.

Sewing, as we commonly know, is fastening of some flexible material like fabric, leather etc. using needle and thread. Sewing is done not only for making clothes and home furnishings but also for bookbinding, shoemaking, quilting and for many other such functions. Although the basic necessity in all sewing remains that of needle and threads, the techniques and machines used are different for different sewing purposes. For instance, dressmaking at home will require a simple sewing machine. For quilting, a machine with advanced features is required while for commercial apparel making, heavy duty industrial sewing machines are needed for high quality seams.

Industrial Sewing Process
Industrial sewing is far more complex process when compared with general sewing done at home. It requires many preparations and mathematical calculations for producing garments with perfect seam quality. For conducting industrial sewing, one must possess the required technical knowledge as the flat sheets of fabrics having holes and slits are given curves and folded in three-dimensional shapes in very complex ways that require a high level of skill and experience in order to get smooth, wrinkle-free designs. Apparels thus designed are then cut using templates and sewn by manual laborers or automatic sewing machine. The seam quality is very sensitive to cloth tension that differs from time to time in the whole sewing process. As such, the cloth has to be handled with great care while it is guided towards the sewing machine needle.

Pre-sewing Tasks
Even before the actual work of sewing starts, there are many pre sewing tasks that have to be accomplished. These can be enlisted as recognizing the fabric's shape as appropriate tensional force depends on the properties of fabric; deciding fabric edges to be sewn – whether sewing for joining two parts of cloth or for decorative purposes; planning of sewing process to establish the sequence of seams to be stitched; and identification of seam lines as the seam lines are situated inside the fabric's outer line and therefore distance between the two (seam allowance) has to be determined.

The Sewing of Clothes
The actual sewing process consists of guiding the fabric along the sewing line with a certain speed that is in harmony with the speed of sewing machine. The errors of fabric orientation are either controlled manually or through automatic machines. When one edge of seam line is sewed, the fabric is rotated around the needle till the next edge of the seam line coincides with the sewing line. The process is repeated until all the edges of seam line are sewed.

While sewing, many factors have to be considered such as thread tension and consumption because the correct balancing of the stitch and the tension given to the threads is very important for quality stitch formation. Care has also to be taken for presser- foot displacement and compressing force. Presser- foot is the part of sewing machine that holds the fabric in place as it is being sewn. If this system is not efficient then it results into irregular seams and many other defects, especially when running on high speed. Needle penetration force measurement is also very important for the analysis of quality problems or 'sewability testing' and for quality monitoring.

Sewing, as we commonly know, is fastening of some flexible material like fabric, leather etc. using needle and thread. Sewing is done not only for making clothes and home furnishings but also for bookbinding, shoemaking, quilting and for many other such functions. Although the basic necessity in all sewing remains that of needle and threads, the techniques and machines used are different for different sewing purposes. For instance, dressmaking at home will require a simple sewing machine. For quilting, a machine with advanced features is required while for commercial apparel making, heavy duty industrial sewing machines are needed for high quality seams.

Industrial Sewing Process
Industrial sewing is far more complex process when compared with general sewing done at home. It requires many preparations and mathematical calculations for producing garments with perfect seam quality. For conducting industrial sewing, one must possess the required technical knowledge as the flat sheets of fabrics having holes and slits are given curves and folded in three-dimensional shapes in very complex ways that require a high level of skill and experience in order to get smooth, wrinkle-free designs. Apparels thus designed are then cut using templates and sewn by manual laborers or automatic sewing machine. The seam quality is very sensitive to cloth tension that differs from time to time in the whole sewing process. As such, the cloth has to be handled with great care while it is guided towards the sewing machine needle.

Pre-sewing Tasks
Even before the actual work of sewing starts, there are many pre sewing tasks that have to be accomplished. These can be enlisted as recognizing the fabric's shape as appropriate tensional force depends on the properties of fabric; deciding fabric edges to be sewn – whether sewing for joining two parts of cloth or for decorative purposes; planning of sewing process to establish the sequence of seams to be stitched; and identification of seam lines as the seam lines are situated inside the fabric's outer line and therefore distance between the two (seam allowance) has to be determined.

The Sewing of Clothes
The actual sewing process consists of guiding the fabric along the sewing line with a certain speed that is in harmony with the speed of sewing machine. The errors of fabric orientation are either controlled manually or through automatic machines. When one edge of seam line is sewed, the fabric is rotated around the needle till the next edge of the seam line coincides with the sewing line. The process is repeated until all the edges of seam line are sewed.

While sewing, many factors have to be considered such as thread tension and consumption because the correct balancing of the stitch and the tension given to the threads is very important for quality stitch formation. Care has also to be taken for presser- foot displacement and compressing force. Presser- foot is the part of sewing machine that holds the fabric in place as it is being sewn. If this system is not efficient then it results into irregular seams and many other defects, especially when running on high speed. Needle penetration force measurement is also very important for the analysis of quality problems or 'sewability testing' and for quality monitoring.