Technology Level Article for Shirt Pocket Attachment

Moving forward from its initial use on warm blankets, quilting has found its way into newer and broader product categories involving wall hangings, table cloths, covering for couches, handbags and apparels. This extended scope of quilted products is also the reason for the manufacturers as well as designers of quilted goods to gain bigger market space. Another reason that has added on to the growth of the quilting industry is the fact that the equipments and machines used for making these products have undergone massive improvements making it possible for manufacturers to supply high-quality products in much less time. Team StitchWorld with Ramita Bali, a student of Masters of Fashion Technology – NIFT, Delhi, discusses different levels of technology solutions available for a quilting operation, the makes and models of machine and equipments available in the market and also the return on investment on the basic and highest levels of technology.

Technology Levels for Quilted Apparels

Quilting involves sewing through three layers of material, namely the top fabric layer usually of cotton or polyester; the middle layer of batting or wadding in felt, wrap or a roll form usually of cotton, polyester or wool fibres; and finally the backing which is the bottom fabric layer. All the three layers are placed one above the other to form a quilt sandwich, which is then basted together to hold them securely for better and accurate quilting.

There are many options available for quilting, from very basic stitching technology to advanced computerized versions. Each version has its advantages and while the basic technology requires hand basting, in case of automatic quilting machines, the layers to be quilted are placed on a special frame keeping the layers together without the need for basting or pinning. Each technology is suited to the needs of different companies with distinct requirements.

Basic Level of Technology: Single Needle Lockstitch Machine with Long Arm