Choosing the right fabric is one of the most important aspects of creating well-finished clothing products. Fabric selection mistakes can cause huge problems, compromising the quality of the material, the appearance, and the fitting as well. Not to lose your best offer and to minimise extra spending, it becomes critical to be aware of some typical fabric selection mistakes. In this article, I will talk about five common mistakes associated with fabric selection that might result in decreased fabric quality, and I will also provide some useful advice as to how to avoid such mistakes that will hamper your clothing production.
Here at Maker’s Row, we work to make fabric selection easy by providing connections to reliable manufacturers and suppliers of durable fabric. We offer a platform, which is an entrance to a broad range of resources and an array of materials. We also help in rectifying the problems that your product has, thereby minimising the quality issues that your garments may have, improving their durability and satisfaction of the customers. To get further details, sign up for our demo.Â
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1. Ignoring Fabric Weight and Drape
One of the biggest fabric selection mistakes many designers make when choosing is that they neglect the weight and the drape of the fabric. The weight of the garment and how it falls on the body, the movement, and the final appearance of the fabric once the garment has been made are all determined by the weight and drape of the fabric used. Choosing the wrong type of fabric to address the style and thickness of the design may cause some defects, mainly fitting problems, quality issues, or an unappreciable physique.Â
- For instance, while selecting a fabric for a summer dress, if one opts for heavy fabric, then the dress may turn out to be rigid and uncomfortable.Â
- On the other hand, taking a light fabric for a structured coat means that the end product will be weak and look ill-fitted.Â
- Fabric weight, drape, and design are among the most crucial aspects that any designer needs to consider when choosing fabrics for clothing production.Â
Fabric Selection Tip: It is always necessary to drape the fabric by holding it up and then letting it fall down naturally to test for the drape of a fabric. Think how it will look in the final piece of clothing, and then think if it is suitable for that design.
2. Overlooking Fabric Composition
The structure of the fabric is yet another consideration that most designers and manufacturers fail to consider, hence huge problems in quality. Fibres that are used to make the fabric, whether natural, synthetic, or mixed, undergo various attributes related to how the garment behaves, feels, and decays.Â
Not paying attention leads to fabric selection mistakes where fabrics that are supposed to make up your design or that are better suited for your intended application result in durability issues, uncomfortable feelings, and, in some extreme cases, shrinkage and fading.Â
For example, using fabric of 100% cotton for an activewear collection can turn out to be a regret as the fabric cotton is more absorbent and does not have an element of stretchiness necessary for sportswear. Likewise, deciding to go for the synthetic fabric for designing a summer dress would not be comfortable.
This is a big blow for any garment since this fabric selection leads to a compromise of the functionality and durability of the garment and causes quality issues.
Fabric Selection Tip: In every case, always check for fabric composition and try to make it suitable to the purpose of the design. For the stretch or durability of the garment, fabrics containing spandex or polyester should be used. There will be occasions when you need soft and breathable clothes, and for that, natural fibres such as cotton or linen may be essential.
3. Neglecting the Fabric’s Shrinkage Potential
One of the most fatal fabric selection mistakes is the failure to consider the tendency of the fabric to shrink. Some fabrics, like cotton, wool, and linen materials, are known to shrink, especially after the initial time that one washes them. Lack of consideration regarding fabric shrinkage during the choice process would only lead to garments with poor fits, a shrunken appearance, and generally poorly made garments after washing.
To avoid these quality issues, it is advisable to identify the degree of shrinkage of whatever fabric you intend to work with. If fabrics are not preshrunk before cutting and sewing, some major problems can arise in the production line, particularly when dealing with large quantities or specialised sizes.
Fabric Selection Tip: Wash your fabric and dry it before using, cutting, and sewing because the fabric may shrink. There needs to be wider production calls for fabric suppliers who ensure the production and supply of pre-shrunk fabrics for use.
4. Choosing Aesthetics Over Durability
Again, arguably the biggest mistake that people make while choosing fabrics is that they concentrate more on the look of the fabric. Cloths might look good and aesthetically pleasing, but if there is a fabric selection mistake, then most users will face difficulties like tearing, fraying, or pilling after relative usage. That is the reason why such quality issue aspects matter most when it comes to items that are used frequently, washed often, or when planning for workwear, sportswear, or clothes meant for children.
For example, silk or delicate lace may appear gorgeous, but they hardly can be used for practical clothing or for accessories and other things that will be exposed to significant usage. Wearing highly sensitive fabrics for highly actively worn pieces ends up with shortened durability, which in turn makes the customers unhappy.
Fabric Selection Tip: Make sure the fabric looks good yet is strong enough. Think about the frequency in which the garment will be used, what each garment is likely to be exposed to, and how the fabric will wear out. Maybe apply pressure or rub the fabrics, and then wash the fabrics in the conditions that the actual fabrics will encounter in real life.
5. Failure to Consider Fabric Maintenance Requirements
Another aspect that is easy to overlook is the care of fabrics and how it can lead to numerous complaints connected with product quality issues for customers. Some fabrics need more attention than others, and for this not to be communicated to the customer or for the wrong fabric to be chosen because of how easily it can be cleaned results in dissatisfaction. For instance, clothes that should not be washed with water or should only be washed in a specific manner do not make for normal wear.Â
One of the biggest fabric selection mistakes is this type, which is very much preferred by mass-market brands catering to the average demand for clothes.
Some customers may not have time or may else be too busy to take time and care for such fabrics, resulting in quick wear and tear or even early ageing of the garment.
When selecting fabric to use in making your products, it is always important to ensure that the fabric satisfies the maintenance aspects of the target market so that customers do not return your products because they are uncomfortable and have issues with quality.
Fabric Selection Tip: If your garment is to be worn regularly, then it should be made from easy-to-wash and long-lasting fabrics. It is important to stick with proper labels of care instructions, and if special attention is needed for the fabric, it should be mentioned to the customer.
Here’s How Maker’s Row Can Help
Maker’s Row is an essential tool for preventing frequent fabric selection mistakes due to the ability to work directly with reliable manufacturers and suppliers. Whether it’s the right weight, drape, or strength, Maker’s Row narrows down your options and shows you materials ranging from natural fabrics to performance blends.Â
Our platform also avails professional advice to help you decide on the blend of fabric and their likely shrinkage. When you work with factories that know your design and manufacturing requirements, Maker’s Row makes sure your fabrics meet your garments’ goals. This in turn does not affect the quality—fitting, shrinking, or maintenance problems—which will just yield a better product and thus improved customer satisfaction.
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Conclusion
These fabric selection mistakes testify to the fact that errors made in the selection of fabrics can cause a variety of problems, such as, for example, an ill-fitting look and structure with subsequent discomfort, poor durability, tearing easily, and requiring extensive care. Since these are errors most clothing production teams stumble upon, selecting clothing fabric based on its weight and drape that matters to the wearer, not overlooking the composition of the fabric, worrying about how much the fabric might shrink when being processed, not just caring about the aesthetics, and keeping in mind how some fabrics would be to maintain are crucial aspects to ensure that you are not committing common fabric selection mistakes.
Considering these fabric selection tips ensures that you get the finest clothes that are not only beautiful but also durable. The above-mentioned five fabric selection mistakes are common in many apparel firms: If you avoid the above mistakes, the quality of products will be enhanced; hence, customer returns will reduce. After all, the fabric choice is the first step when sewing an excellent piece of clothing.
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