How to Calculate Sewing Thread Consumption in Apparel Industry

How to Calculate Sewing Thread Consumption in the Apparel Industry?

Sewing Thread Calculation Method in the Apparel Sector:

Sewing thread consumption calculation is one of the most important factors in apparel merchandising. An apparel merchandiser must have accurate knowledge about the sewing thread consumption process. Otherwise, the sewing thread will be short during apparel production. In another two articles, I have shared Sewing Thread Consumption for Different Stitches and Sewing Thread Consumption for Different Apparel. Now, I have presented here the sewing thread calculation method that describes How to Calculate Sewing Thread Consumption in the Apparel Industry.

Sewing Thread Consumption Calculation Method in the Apparel Sector:

In the apparel manufacturing industry, sewing thread can be calculated by following four methods. Those are in the below:

Stitch and unravel method.
Stitch and measure method,
Arithmetic method,
Using software programs.

To calculate Sewing Thread Consumption, All the above methods are explained in the following:

1. Stitch and Unravel Method:

In this method, at first the fabric is first sewn up to a standard length say for 10cm or 20cm. then the stitched sewing thread is unraveled fully and then the length of the sewing thread is measured. This is a more time-consuming method.

For example, if for 10cm of stitch length, after unraveling the sewing thread length is 1 meter, then the sewing thread consumption is 1 meter per 10cm or 10cm per cm of stitch length.

2. Stitch and Measure Method:

In case of this method, a standard length of sewing thread is taken or marked; say, for example, 5 meters or 10 meters. Then it is sewn fully till the sewing thread is finished or the mark is reached in the sewing needle. Now, measure the length of the stitch length. This is one of the easiest methods of sewing thread calculation.

For example, for 10 meters of sewing thread, if the stitch length is 1 meter then the sewing thread consumption is 10 meters per meter of stitch length or 1 meter per 10cm of stitch length,h or 10cm per cm of stitch length.

3. Arithmetical Method:

In this method, sewing thread requirement may be calculated using parameters like stitch length, stitch width, stitch depth or height and stitches per inch or cm. Sewing thread consumption,

= {(Stitch length + stitch width + stitch depth) × stitch per inch or cm}

However, this method is difficult for stitches where multiple sewing threads are used.

4. Using Software Programme:

There are sewing thread software programs namely “sewing thread inventory planner” is used to calculate the sewing thread requirement in an effective way. Sewing thread requirements can be quickly and easily can be calculated from a folder without much effort For the most important product groups in men’s and boys’ wear and ladies’ wear. This program is built on the basis of illustrations of models and model elements and their respective sewing thread requirements.

This program will consider all the important parameters that influence the sewing thread consumption, and create an exact sewing thread consumption calculation per sewing operation.

All one needs to do is just enter the required seam positions that are to be calculated and the respective parameters. The calculation and exact calculation is done by the software.

How to Calculate Sewing Thread Consumption in Apparel Industry

Machine Wise Sewing Thread Consumption in the Apparel Industry:

Sewing thread is one of the most important trimmings for apparel. Apparel merchandiser has to calculate sewing thread consumption before starting the apparel production. Sewing thread consumption is not an easy task, especially for the newcomers of this sector. If an apparel merchandiser gets a sewing thread consumption chart including stitch type consumption then his total work will be very easy to complete sewing thread consumption. As its importance, this article has presented a table which contains sewing consumption according to types of stitch and sewing machine.

Sewing Thread Consumption for Different Sewing Machines and Stitches:

The approximate sewing thread requirements for various stitch types are given below:

(Here, NT= Needle Thread, BT= Bobbin or Looper Thread, CT= Cover Thread)

SL No.	Stitch Type	Seam width (mm)	Stitch per cm	Thread requirement per 1m of seam	%
01	Single- thread chain stitch (101)	–	2	NT: 3.80m	100%
02	Single-thread blind stitch (103)	–	2	NT: 4.50m	100%
03	Single-thread blind stitch (105)	–	2	NT: 4.50m	100%
04	Long stitch (205)Hand stitch	–	4	NT: 1.40m	100%
05	Double lock stitch (301)	–	4	NT: 1.40m	50%
				BT: 1.40m	50%
				2.80m
06	Double lock stitchzigzag (304)	5	4	NT: 2.70m	50%
				BT: 2.70m	50%
				5.40m
07	Double lock stitchMulti stitchzigzag (304)	8	8	NT: 6.50m	50%
				BT: 6.50m	50%
				13m
08	Double chain stitch (401)	–	4	NT: 1.50m	35%
				BT: 2.80m	65%
				4.30m
09	Double chain stitch zigzag (401)	3	4	NT: 2.40m	35%
				BT: 4.40m	65%
				6.80m
10	Two-needle double chain stitch (406)	5	4	NT: 3.40m	29%
				BT: 8.40m	71%
				11.80m
11	Three-needle double chain stitch (407)	6	4	NT: 5.10m	30%
				BT: 11.60m	70%
				16.70m
12	Two times double chain stitch (408)	6	4	NT: 3.40m	22%
				BT: 6.20m	40%
				CT: 5.80m	38%
				15.40m
13	Single-thread over edge stitch (501)	7	4	NT: 16.40m	100%
14	Two-thread over edge stitch (502)	14	4	NT: 1.70m	15%
				BT: 10.00m	85%
				11.70m
15	Two-thread over edge stitch (503)	5	4	NT: 6.70m	57%
				BT: 5.00m	43%
				11.70m
16	Three-thread over edge stitch (504)	5	4	NT: 1.70m	12%
				BT: 12.10m	88%
				13.80m
17	Three-thread over edge stitch (505)	5	4	NT: 6.30m	46%
				BT: 7.50m	54%
				13.80m
18	Four-thread over edge stitch (512)	6	4	NT: 3.40m	21%
				BT: 12.90m	79%
				16.30m
19	Four-thread over edge stitch (514)	6	4	NT: 3.40m	20%
				BT: 13.70m	80%
				17.10m
20	Two needle covering chain stitch (605)	6	4	NT: 3.40m	205
				BT: 8.40m	50%
				CT: 5.10m	30%
				16.90m
21	Three needle covering chain stitch (605)	6	4	NT: 5.10m	23%
				BT: 11.60m	52%
				CT: 5.80m	25%
				16.90m
22	Four needle covering chain stitch (607)	6	4	NT: 6.80m	25%
				BT: 14.80m	54%
				CT: 5.80m	21%
				27.40m
23	Circular tack single-thread chain stitch-zigzag (107)	2	7	NT: 0.07m	100%
24	Bar tack-double lock stich – zigzag (304)	12	42	NT: 0.30m	60%
				BT: 0.20m	40%
				0.50m
25	Lingerie button hole single thread, chain stitch- zigzag (107)	16	90	NT: 0.50m	100%
26	Lingerie button hole double lock stitch- zigzag (304)	18	160	NT: 0.10m	10%
				BT: 0.85m	90%
				0.95m
27	Eyelet button hole without bar tack, double chain stitch, zigzag (404)	30	85	NT: 0.80m	80%
				BT: 0.20m	20%
				1.00m
28	Sewing on button lingerie single thread, chain stitch, without button shank (107)	2 Hole	7	NT: 0.20m	100%
		4 Hole	14	NT: 0.40m	100%
29	Sewing on buttonOuter wear, single thread, chain stitch, with button shank (107)	4 Hole	21	NT: 0.60m	100%
30	Sewing on button, double lock stitch- zigzag (304)	2 Hole	6	NT: 0.10m	65%
				BT: 0.05m	35%
				0.15m
		4 Hole	12	NT: 0.10m	65%
				BT: 0.05m	35%
				0.15m

Sewing Thread Consumption in the Apparel Industry:

Manufacturers can maximize material usage, cut waste, and guarantee constant product quality by comprehending and precisely calculating thread consumption. An outline of sewing thread consumption is provided here, along with information on practical issues, calculation techniques, and factors that influence it. Different apparel clothing consumption in the following:

Sewing Thread Consumption for Men’s and Boy’s Wear:

Sewing Thread for Men’s and Boy’s Wear
SL No.	Apparel Style	Standard Amount (m)	Range of Variation (m)	Distribution
SL No.	Apparel Style	Standard Amount (m)	Range of Variation (m)	Over locking Seam (m)	Assembly & Ornamental Seam (m)
01	Business suit trousers	300	250-350	170	130
02	Blue denim jeans	280	230-370	130	150
03	Sack coat, Blazer	190	170-240	45	145
04	Waist coat	70	57-80	–	70
05	Winter coat	265	250-285	60	205
06	Poplin coat	265	250-285	40	225
07	Shorts	90	80-100	50	40
08	Smock	255	230-285	90	165
09	Work suit (Two piece)	375	345-400	185	190
10	Bib slacks	225	200-250	115	110
11	Anorak, Blouson	210	170-250	40	170
12	Bathing, Dressing gown	210	170-250	110	100
13	Track suit	200	170-250	120	80
14	Men’s dress shirt (Long sleeved)	125	115-150	80	45
15	Men’s t-shirt	80	70-90	65	15

Sewing Thread Consumption for Under Garments or Apparel:

Sewing Thread for Under Garments or Apparel
SL No.	Apparel Style	Standard Amount (m)	Range of Variation (m)	Distribution
SL No.	Apparel Style	Standard Amount (m)	Range of Variation (m)	Over locking Seam (m)	Assembly & Ornamental Seam (m)
01	Ladies panties	100	80-100	80	80
02	Men’s brief	100	8-100	20	20
03	Panty girdle	100	80-120	80	20
04	Bra	55	40-80	20	35
05	Pyjama	200	170-200	120	80
06	Night gown	150	130-150	100	50

Sewing Thread Consumption for Ladies Wear:

Sewing Thread for Ladies Wear
SL No.	Apparel Style	Standard Amount (m)	Range of Variation (m)	Distribution
SL No.	Apparel Style	Standard Amount (m)	Range of Variation (m)	Over locking Seam (m)	Assembly & Ornamental Seam (m)
01	Dress (Unlined)	150	125-180	90	60
02	Dress Lined)	195	160-255	100	95
03	Skirt (Unlined)	110	90-140	75	35
04	Skirt Lined)	170	150-200	125	45
05	Jacket	200	17-250	60	140
06	Costume (Two piece)	400	310-490	135	265
07	Slacks	200	180-240	150	50
08	Poplin coat	285	250-370	45	240
09	Winter coat	285	250-370	45	240
10	Smock	225	170-280	75	150
11	Blouse	120	100-150	55	65
12	Bathing suit	120	100-140	70	50
13	Pyjama suit	200	170-250	100	100

If you know the correct thread consumption, it will be easy to order and budget quantity against the buyer’s order. Above all ways to Calculate Sewing Thread Consumption would require in the garments industry.