Alternative methods of fabric joining
Alternative Method of Joining:
The method /system/process which has been developed as an alternative to sewing is known as an alternative method of joining.
Limitations:
- Lower joining speed hence less production.
- Seam appearance is not so good.
- Seam performance is not satisfactory in some aspects compared to the sewn seam
- Alternation of the seam is quite difficult, also impossible in most of the cases.
- Comparatively less comfortable due to harsh feelings.
E-commerce in the local clothing market: Are Bangladeshi online stores ready?
It has been a common question in different technical forums that, is e-commerce is going to be the next best thing for our national clothing business? Well, it is quite obvious, and ‘online’ is the future of many things, especially in a challenging time like this Covid-19 pandemic situation. But are Bangladeshi online stores ready to comply? It is difficult to answer in a yes or no. But it can be uttered without hesitation that, it is also a challenge for the local e-commerce companies.
Some prominent local clothing brands like Yellow, Sailor, Aarong, etc. are more popular in-store selling. It is also the same for other brands and stores. It may be because choosing an item of clothing over the internet has some constraints. Unlike other popular items in online trade in Bangladesh like gadget items, electronic accessories, etc. the clothing faces a lot of challenges. But why?
The first reason is the perception of the quality of the product. It is not uncommon that, some of the online stores in Bangladesh have examples of malpractices with the product they offer and the product they ship. Apart from this, customers often face problems in choosing the right product for them from an online store. It is obvious because displaying the correct color over the internet is a tough job. It requires technological excellence which the stores might lack. Another thing is expressing the size of the garment correctly. Many of the customers also prefer the trial room of the physical store, rather than the chest-length calculation of the online stores. And, here comes fit, the other most important parameter which a customer desire to be all right. But in most cases, the fit can not be checked before buying, and hence it affects the online market of clothing.
A fabric handle is another crucial factor which is not possible to experience in online shopping. As a result, the customers never know, how the fabric feels before ordering. Well, the store may describe the product as a comfortable one (the problem is, every seller for every item will say the same thing) which the customers can not verify before buying which is not a problem in the physical store. Besides, describing the attributes of a clothing product in terms of purely technical terms also faces challenges as most of the customers are barely familiar with these terms. For example, for a mobile phone, if it is described as 128 GB ROM and 8 GB RAM, most of the customers understand, but on a contrary, not a large number of customers will understand if a tee shirt is described as mercerized, single jersey, 170 GSM.
So, what is the solution? There is no short cut solution. Some problems like experiencing the hand feel are not possible to overcome. But some problems are really easy to overcome. Normally, the people of Bangladesh will still prefer physical stores than online stores, especially for clothing items. But in some special cases like this pandemic, they will simply be ‘compelled’ to purchase from online stores. And, this chance should be grabbed by the online clothing stores to establish their faith and to build a regular customer base. Besides common business tactics the online clothing stores can think about the following ideas:
1. The first and foremost importance should be ethical practice. Just ship the actual product and also describe the product ‘genuinely’. This will help the customers to believe your store, and they will repurchase.
2. Maintaining an effective supply chain management is another important criterion to be committed to the customers. Without an effective supply chain, it is very difficult to ship the products in the right quality, right quantity, and obviously at the right time.
3. If technical terms are used in the description of the product, just briefly describe that terms in a simple manner what will be understood by the customer. Preferably describe that term in terms of user requirements.
4. An app or extension for the website can be developed by using VR and augmented reality which will render the physique of the customer and check the fit of the garment he/she is willing to buy. It can eliminate the fit problem, but requires a lot of technical extra work and adds a huge cost.
5. Use the proper color and image of the product. It is right that the quality of the customers’ device which he/she uses for browsing the product can also make difficulties in properly displaying the color of the product but this problem is almost impossible to overcome.
6. Quote reasonable price as in most of the cases an extra courier charge applies with the product price which might make the price very high and constraint the customer to purchase.
7. Be committed to your services.
Hook & loop fastening: VELCRO
FEATURES:
- A Swiss inventor made this product & offered the Trade name VELCRO, comes from the French word VELOUR (velvet) & crochet.
- Consists of 2 nylon tapes, one having a surface of loops & the other having surface of hooks. When pressed together, two tapes adhere & cannot be opened by side way turn easily open by upward turns.
- This trimming is used instead of buttons or zippers.
- It is available in the market in roll form. Most common width 5/8” to 3/4”.
- Used in shoes, belts, money bags, bags, suitcase, sportswear, children, medical textiles etc.
- Mostly used in the garments of paralyzed persons’.
- ‘VELCRO’ is also a famous brand for Hook & Loop Fastening.
Disadvantages:
- Not suitable for light weight garments, due to high thickness.
- Efficiency reduces due to dirt, dust & materials deposited in the hook or loops.
- The possibility of fabric damage.
- Not comfortable to wear due to less flexibility of tape.
Labels
- Labels are Mandatory in case of international garments trading. Without label no garments can be sold.
- Trade name, country of origin, size, care instruction etc. are shown mainly on the label.
- In good quality labels, information’s are woven by narrow loom (Jacquard is most common). The cut ends are folded inward & sewn with plain or zigzag machine.
- Low price labels are wider & are printed on a fabric made from thermoplastic fibre. The cut edge are heat sealed & supplied in roll form to the RMG industry.
Buttons
A button is an object that is used in garments either for the purpose of fastening or for
Fig: Buttons
ornamentation or both. Buttons are usually in the shape of a disc or a knob. Evidence shows that, buttons have been used since as long back as 1500 – 2000 BC. Buttons used in 2600 – 2800 BC have been excavated in the ancient Indus valley, while those used in 1500 – 2000 BC have been found in China as well as in Rome.
Evolution of Button:
13th century ——– Buttons were used as ornament.
16th century ——– Began being attached as a functional fastener.
15th & 16th century ——–Buttons plated with Gold & silver were popular among the noble class.
18th century ———- The trend of enamel buttons set in. Read the rest of this entry
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