Raw Materials

Christopher Smith-Green

T-Shirt

Cotton

Polyester

Manufacturing

Creating Shirt

Manufacturing a T-shirt is quite simple. Special machines cut assemble, and stitch most of the operation. T- shirts are mostly created with superimposed seams, made by overlapping one piece of the fabric over the other and lining up the edges. This requires a needle and two looper threads. Resulting in a flexible seam.

Styling

1) The T-shirt style is designed and the dimensions are transferred to patterns. Adjustments are made for preferance.

Cutting

2) The T-shirt sections are cut to of the patterns. Consisting of a tubed body.

Assembling the front and back

3) For fabric that is not tubed, pieces for the front and back of the shirt must be stitched at the sides. They are joined at the seam lines and form simple, narrow, superimposed seam, then stitched together using an over edge stitch.

Assembling the sleeves

4) The hems of sleeves are finished before they are fitted into the garment. The conveyor belt moves the sleeves to the sewing head. The edge is done after being folded over, forming the hem and stitching.

Sewing

5) If the T-shirt body is tubular, the sleeve is sewn together and set into the garment. If the T-shirt is "cut and sewn," the unseamed sleeve is set in place. Later the sleeve and side seams are sewn.

Stitching the hem

6) The garment is sewn with an over edge stitch creating a flexible hem. The stitch should be loose so you are able to stretch the garment without tearing.

Adding pockets

7) Pockets may be sewn onto T-shirts for casual wear. High quality shirts will place an interlining into the pocket so it keeps shape. Pockets can be attached to the garment with automated setters.

Stitching the shoulder seams

8) Shoulder seams require a simple superimposed seam.

Attaching the neckband

9) For crew neck shirts, the neck edge is slightly shorter in than the outer edge where it’s connected to the garment. The neckband must be stretched to prevent bulging. Tubular neckbands are manually applied. The bands are folded, stretched slightly, and aligned with the neckline.

Finishing the neckline

10) Necklines with superimposed seams may be taped. Tape may be expanded across the back and over the shoulder seams. The seam is then cover stitched.

Label setting

11) Labels are attached at the back of the

neckline. Labels provide information about the manufacturer, size, fabric content, and instructions for washing.

Finishing operations

13) T-shirts are inspected for mistakes in the

fabric, stitching, and thread. 14) High-quality T-shirts are steamed before

packaged. Packaging depends on the type of T-shirt and the intended distribution outlet. Finally, they are put into boxes