Thread Average for Different Stitch Types (Download Chart)


Question: I want to know the average garment thread which is used for different stitching types.

Sewing thread average calculation factors

Answer to this question

You know that different types of stitching (stiches) are used in making readymade garments.  There are different types of sewing machines as well to make different types of seam and stitch classes. Following are few common stitch classes. 

- Lock stich (single needle)
- Overlock (overedge stitch)
- Flat lock (cover stitch)
- Button holing

Different stitches consume different length of thread for sewing a unit length of seam. Once you have the idea (knowledge) how much sewing thread is required to make one inches of seam for a particular stitch type, you can then calculate  average thread consumption for your garments. 

Another note, the same sewing machine types can be used in forming different stitch classes.

It is a good idea to know the thread average used by industry for different stitch classes and use that average for thread consumption calculation. Now most of the industrial engineers and merchandisers in the garment industry use Excel template for calculating thread average for styles.

If you want to calculate average garment thread consumption manually, you can also do that. I would suggest preparing a chart of thread factors and sticking it on a pin board near your desk. 
Or use the thread average ratio published by well-known thread manufacturing companies like Coats. Coats thread consumption ratio is mostly used by factories. 

Coats thread ratio

You can download this chart by clicking below link (PDF file) and take a printout for your reference. This one is made from Coats Thread consumption Guide. 


To know the method of how thread average is calculated read the following article. 

Prasanta Sarkar

Prasanta Sarkar is a textile engineer and a postgraduate in fashion technology from NIFT, New Delhi, India. He has authored 6 books in the field of garment manufacturing technology, garment business setup, and industrial engineering. He loves writing how-to guide articles in the fashion industry niche. He has been working in the apparel manufacturing industry since 2006. He has visited garment factories in many countries and implemented process improvement projects in numerous garment units in different continents including Asia, Europe, and South Africa. He is the founder and editor of the Online Clothing Study Blog.

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