When you are starting a clothing line or you are managing a clothing production, you need to know how much fabric to buy. This allows him to calculate the total amount of cloth utilized. Lack of control over fabric consumption can lead to a variety of manufacturing difficulties.
Most of the Indian apparel factories fabric consumption is made by pattern masters. Rest of the employees do not bother how it is done. If you have a product technical sheet then you can calculate the exact fabric consumption of a garment. During the sampling procedure, the merchandiser provides a price quote for the item.
Whether the fabric is solid colored, check or stripe, or any specific design repeat required can also affect calculation. In the following, one example has been shown with a formula for better clarification.
Basic formula:
Consumption in grams= {(L*C) + (B*SL)}*2*GSM/10000 grams
(when length units are in centimeter)
C= Chest +allowance
L= length of the body measure + allowance
SL= Sleeve length +Allowance
B=Biceps +allowance
GSM = fabric weight in grams per square meter
Example: Product – knitted top. Garments components are front, back, and sleeves.
| Measurements without allowances | Measurement with allowances (Tolerance) |
| Chest (C) = 22.75” | +1.25″ = 24″ |
| Body Length (L) = 31.3” | +1.50″ = 32.80″ |
| Sleeve Length (SL) = 25” | + 1.20″ = 26.20″ |
| Bicep (B) = 8.9” | +0.70″ = 9.6″ |
| Fabric GSM =220 |
As per above formula consumption of fabric for this style is
= {(L*C) + (B*SL)}*2*GSM/10000 grams
= [{(32.80*24) + (9.6*2*26.20)}*2*(2.54*2.54)*220]/10000 grams (Note: 2.54 is inch to cm conversion factor)
= [{787.2+503.04}*440*6.45]/10000 grams
= 366.17 grams
Note: Many factors determine fabric consumption. These include grain, repeat size, marker, fabric shrinkage, etc. I have not included fabric loss due to fabric width, marker loss and fabric wastage (such as end loss, end bits, defects).I have not included fabric loss due to fabric width, marker loss and fabric wastage (such as end loss, end bits, defects). When you purchase fabric you have to consider all of these parameters in fabric consumption calculation.
