Seamless knitting and stitch-free seaming technologies in performance apparel

21 pages, published in Issue 16, 1st Quarter 2006   Report price: Euro 395.00; US$ 520.00

Apparel with a seamless appearance is gaining in popularity. The benefits—greater comfort and durability, combined with reduced bulk—are finding favour in different sectors of the apparel market, including performance apparel. In the performance apparel sector there are two main reasons for the growing popularity of garments with a seamless appearance. One is that close fitting active wear—such as running or cycling apparel—needs to feel as smooth as possible when worn next to the skin in order to minimise the possibility of chafing. The other reason is that technical outerwear is becoming less bulky and more form-fitting while retaining the latest advances in waterproof and breathable capability.

Apparel which has a seamless appearance is produced using two different approaches: seamless knitting, and welding. Seamless knitting involves the production of a whole garment in one piece on a knitting machine such that little or no sewing-up is required. Welding involves the fusing together of layers of fabric by applying heat and pressure—using technologies such as ultrasonic heating or high frequency radiation. In addition, thermoplastic films or tapes—which are sometimes referred to as adhesive films—are commonly used to reinforce the weld or to bond non-thermoplastic materials such as cotton.

Using seamless knitting or welding, a garment without any stitched seams can be made. Some commentators are going so far as to predict the gradual demise of the needle and thread. But seamless and stitch-free seaming technologies still have some way to go in terms of capability, quality control and market penetration before they replace sewing.

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• Profile of Bemis: a leader in bonded seam technology for stitch-free apparel, (1st Quarter 2006)

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