Performance Apparel Markets - Grado Zero Espace Srl
Performance Apparel Markets - Grado Zero Espace Srl
Performance Apparel Markets - Grado Zero Espace Srl
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<strong>Performance</strong> <strong>Apparel</strong> <strong>Markets</strong>, 1st quarter 2006<br />
Seamless knitting and stitch-free technologies<br />
Seamless knitting and welding<br />
can be used complementarily,<br />
even though the<br />
technologies differ<br />
While the two technologies of seamless knitting and welding are quite<br />
different, they can nonetheless be used complementarily. Garments<br />
made on seamless knitting machines can be finished using welding to<br />
produce an item with no stitching or needle holes.<br />
DEVELOPMENT OF SEAMLESS KNITTING AND STITCH-FREE<br />
SEAMING TECHNOLOGIES<br />
Uses have grown from intimate<br />
apparel to performance<br />
apparel and sportswear<br />
Seamless knitting and stitch-free seaming technologies were first used<br />
in intimate apparel. Today they are also used in performance apparel<br />
and sportswear.<br />
The techniques are seen as<br />
an added-value feature<br />
Seamless knitting grew out<br />
of V-bed in the 1970s<br />
A key development was<br />
the invention of presser<br />
foot knitting, which was<br />
launched in 1975<br />
The first commercial<br />
whole garment knitting<br />
machine came on to the<br />
market in 1995 from<br />
Shima Seiki<br />
Welded tapes started to be<br />
used more widely<br />
following major<br />
developments in the 1990s<br />
Welded seams first<br />
appeared in intimate<br />
apparel, notably bras<br />
Success caught the<br />
attention of outerwear<br />
makers, and welding<br />
technology is now used to<br />
incorporate pockets, zips,<br />
pleats and hems<br />
Companies are now promoting the technologies as an added-value<br />
feature.<br />
The forerunner of the seamless knitting machine was borne out of<br />
V-bed knitting in the 1970s.<br />
A key development was the invention of presser foot technology,<br />
which was launched in 1975. This facilitates tension-free knitting<br />
instead of traditional take-down knitting, where tension is<br />
maintained.<br />
At first the technology was used to produce novel stitches and<br />
knitted motifs. By 1980 it was capable of producing prototype whole<br />
garments. However, these garments proved to be too plain to catch on<br />
commercially. The first commercial whole garment knitting machine<br />
was launched in 1995 by the Japanese company Shima Seiki.<br />
Although welded tapes were first used in garment construction prior<br />
to the 1990s, the applications for such tapes were at that time<br />
specialised. Welded tapes started to be used more widely following<br />
significant developments in the 1990s.<br />
Welded seams first appeared in intimate apparel as a means of<br />
bonding fabrics over elastics in bras and to keep seams as flat as<br />
possible for a smooth appearance.<br />
Success in intimate apparel caught the attention of outerwear<br />
manufacturers. The benefits of weight reduction, a slim profile, and<br />
increased water resistance appealed to them.<br />
Welding technology is now used to incorporate pockets, zips, pleats<br />
and hems without the need for cut and sew methods.<br />
© Textiles Intelligence Limited 21