Accurate knit fabric consumption and calculation is one of the most important factors for merchandising department of the apparel industry. How many quantity of fabric needed to finish a garment that is called fabric consumption. For wrong consumption of fabric, company will face huge loss with the business.
Fabric consumption is influenced by various factors such as garment design, fabric type, and production process. In this blog post, i'll explore the importance of accurate knit fabric consumption calculation and provide a step-by-step guide on how to calculate it using a simple formula.
Why Accurate Fabric Consumption Calculation is Important
Accurate fabric consumption calculation is important for several reasons:
1. Inventory Management: Accurate calculation helps manage inventory levels, reducing the risk of stockouts and overstocking.
2. Cost Control: Accurate calculation helps control costs by ensuring that the correct amount of fabric is ordered.
3. Timely Production: Accurate calculation helps ensure that orders are fulfilled on time, reducing delays and improving customer satisfaction.
The Formula for Calculating Knit Fabric Consumption
Before consuming knit fabric, it's essential to keep the following guidelines in mind:
1. Type of knit
2. Shrinkage
3. Tubular or open width
4. Yarn count, type and GSM ( 20, 24, 26 & 30s cotton combed)
Knit Fabric Consumption Formula:
Basic Consumption Formula:- (Length × Width × GSM × 12)
10000000
A knit item consumption calculation
For, T-shirt {(S/J) 30/1 combed yarn}
Garment Measurement:
Length = 70 cm
½ chest = 60 cm / dia
Sleeve length = 25 cm
Arm hole width = 40 cm
GSM = 145
Consumption / Dz in Kg
Formula for This Knit Item will be
(Back length + Sleeve length) × ½ chest × 2 × GSM ×12
10000000
= {(70 +5) + (25 +5)} × 60 × 2 ×145 ×12 {B.L + S.L × Chest × GSM ×12}
10000000 100 100 1000
= 2.28 kg + 7%
= 2.28 kg +0.159
= 2.439 kg [Sleeve and Neck are made by rib fabric so add 0.10]
Always collar in rib = (350-400)
To calculate knit fabric consumption, also you can use the following formula:
Fabric Consumption (FC) = Total Garment Weight (TW) x Factor (F)
Total Garment Weight (TW): The total weight of the garment in grams or kilograms. This can be calculated by multiplying the number of pieces in the order by the weight of each piece.
Factor (F): The factor takes into account the stretch and recovery of the knit fabric. A higher factor indicates more fabric is needed to account for stretching.
How to Calculate the Factor (F)
The factor can be calculated using the following formula:
F = (Fabric Stretch % + Fabric Recovery %) / 2
Fabric Stretch %: The percentage of stretch in the knit fabric.
Fabric Recovery %: The percentage of recovery in the knit fabric after stretching.
Example Calculation
Suppose you want to calculate the fabric consumption for a T-shirt order with 100 pieces, each weighing 200 grams. The fabric has a stretch of 20% and a recovery of 15%.
Step 1: Calculate Total Garment Weight (TW)
TW = 100 pieces x 200 grams/piece = 20,000 grams
Step 2: Calculate Factor (F)
F = ((20% + 15%) / 2) = 17.5%
Step 3: Calculate Fabric Consumption (FC)
FC = TW x F = 20,000 grams x 0.175 = 3,500 grams
Conclusion
Accurate calculation of knit fabric consumption is crucial for apparel manufacturers to ensure timely production, cost control, and inventory management. By using the formula provided in this blog post, you can accurately calculate your fabric consumption and make informed decisions about your production process. Remember to consider factors such as stretch and recovery when calculating your factor, as these can significantly impact your fabric consumption.
