Types of fabric consumption for Knit

In apparel industry, fabric consumption is the common term for a garments merchandiser. In this industry, most of the time profit or loss depends on the total consumption of fabric in an order. So, bulk fabric consumption must be calculated correctly before start bulk cutting of an order. For making profit from an order, we have to reduce fabric wastage in bulk and make an accurate consumption of an order. As we know, fabric is one of the most important part in garments costing and represent almost 70% of total product manufacturing cost.
Basic information relevant to consumption
  1. Measurement with technical spec.
  2. Style description
  3. Fabrics description
  4. Fabrics width / weight
  5. Washing shrinkage if any 

What is consumption?

In the garments trade, consumption means quality of raw materials with a view to determine the price of a garment. In order to calculate the above quantity how much fabric, sewing thread, zipper, button and other accessories are required to produce a garment up to the exporting is called consumption.

Internationally fabrics having five types of width as in: 35 inch – 45 inch – 50 inch – 55 inch – 60 inch. Generally, it is visible that after consumption of fabrics, we have to perform some washing brushing or finishing treatment to develop fabric quantity.

In the circumstances stated during fabric consumption we should consume fabric excluding 1-2 inch from the fabric width. Otherwise in some cases buyer or factory authority may encounter a great loss or may face difficulties. Consumption formula and other rules are shown below. Remember that if consumption of a garment of different sizes is required at a time, we have to figure out a consumption of the one size making an average of all sizes for shortening the time consumption. 

Types of consumption calculation system:

The quantity of fabric which is required to produce a garment is called consumption. Whatever quantity of fabric is required to produce a garment. We can know it through marker planning and mathematical system. We can calculate and determine the consumption of fabric by the following two systems:
  1. Marker planning system
  2. Mathematical system
 Marker planning system:
In the system mentioned here studying the range of size, following six pcs of six size can be stored out from size range. As in XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL. Besides these we can choose three pcs of three size or twelve pcs of twelve size for our convenience. It depends on our IQ and the size range, thereafter paper pattern can be made by grading to the above garments as per measurement sheet. Having made the paper pattern, it should have to lay each parts of the paper pattern on a marker paper of similar fabric width. After marking the paper pattern if we measure marker paper to length wise, we will find an aggregate consumption of six pieces of garment. If the aggregate is divided by six, we will find a consumption of one-piece garment. As such we will find a consumption of one dozen garments from the above system calculations. You can check bellow post for your easy understand:
Mathematical system:

Whatever is the fabric consumption of a garment or whatever quantity of fabric is required to produce a garment is measured by mathematical system. Mathematical system is system of approximate estimation. Consumption of a sample garment or consumption as per measurement sheet is calculated mathematically by measuring the area of length and width of each parts of each pcs of garment.