You'll learn about more than 20 different quality defects related to garments and fabric that are typically found during pre-shipment product inspection. You'll also learn some of the common causes for these defects and how to prevent them. And check out our comprehensive Garment Inspection Guideline to learn how to improve your garment QC: http://hubs.ly/H06K-mX0

1. *Common quality defects in garments and how to prevent or fix them.
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2. BeforeWeBegin…
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5. 1. FabricDefects
Sometimes issues
found in garments
can occur during
production of the
raw fabric, or textile,
prior to use in garments.

6. Drop Stitches
Dye Marks
Laddering
Bad selvedge
Shade variation
Horizontal lines
Fabricdefectsoverview
Imperfections
Contaminants
Stains

7. Drop stitches
are randomly appearing
holes in the fabric.
DropStitches
Ensuring a uniform yarn
tension in the machine
Regulating the yarn feed rate
Making sure to use yarn with
no imperfections for stitching
Prevent drop stitching by:

8. Thoroughly inspecting the base grey
fabric prior to stitching & using the
appropriate dying agent
Maintaining the correct pH
Using a power backup to ensure the
machine does not shut down during
use
Dyemarks
Dye marks are irregular
patches on the surface
of dyed fabrics.
Prevent dye marks by:

9. Source: textilelearner.blogspot.com
Laddering
Laddering is where vertical
lines appear in the fabric
due to broken needles.
Prevent laddering by:
Checking for uniform yarn tension
Periodically changing or replacing
needles
Removing blockages in the feeder

10. Stains
Stains appear as spots or
patches of grease, oil or dyes
of different color.
Prevent stains by:
Regularly cleaning machines
Guarding moving parts
Using plastic to protect
the fabric

11. Badselvedge
Bad selvedge occurs when
the fabric ends are too far
apart for the yarn thickness.
Prevent bad selvedge
Properly maintaining equipment
Ensuring you have the proper
settings on the machine for the
fabric you are using

12. Shadevariation
Shade variation is a
difference in the depth of
shade from roll to roll or
piece to piece.
Prevent shade variation by:
Ensuring you use one lot of yarn
for one shade of color and use a
single set of parameters for the
same lot

13. Horizontal Lines
Horizontal lines are irregular
lines running from side to
side across the fabric.
Prevent horizontal lines by:
Regularly replacing the bobbin
Consistently checking thread
tension and positioning

14. 2. Workmanship/HandlingDefects
Workmanship issues are
those directly caused by
the production
processes of the
garments themselves.

15. Seam puckering
Shading variation
Open/broken seams
Untrimmed thread
Sizingout of tolerance
Misaligned buttons and
holes
WorkmanshipDefectsOverview
Broken stitches
Drop/skipped stitch
Wavy stitching

16. SeamPuckering
Seam puckering is the
bunching of a seam.
To prevent seam puckering:
Check the thread tension during
sewing
Make sure fabric is fed through
the machine at a constant rate

17. ShadingVariation
Shading variation refers to
differing color shades within
garments.
To prevent shading variation:
Ensure workers are only combining
garments of the same color and
not taking shortcuts when cutting
and bundling
Proper numbering different cuts of
fabric that vary in shade

18. Open/BrokenSeams
Open seams are unstitched
openings in seams seen in
isolated units.
To prevent open seams:
Ensure workers are properly folding
garments and not putting strain on
the seam, as well as not cutting
corners when sewing

19. BrokenStitch
Broken stitches are
evident as non continuous
threads.
To prevent broken stitches:
Ensure workers aren’t too
aggressive when trimming threads
Ensure thread is being fed properly
into the sewing machine

20. Dropstitch/skippedstitch
Drop stitches are irregular
instances of stitching
along the seam.
To prevent drop stitches:
Ensure workers aren’t too rough
when handling or cutting
Ensure the sewing machine is
properly calibrated

21. Wavystitching
Wavy stitching occurs
when stitches do not follow
a straight line.
To prevent wavy stitching:
Ensure workers aren’t too rough
when cutting & the sewing
machine is properly maintained
Make sure the correct needles are
used for sewing

22. Untrimmed thread
Untrimmed thread refers
to extra or loose thread
along a seam line.
To prevent wavy stitching:
Ensure workers are vigilant when
performing internal QC and know
how to properly trim excess thread

23. dimensionsout oftolerance
Dimensions that are out of
tolerance indicate differences
in measurements of parts of
a garment.
To prevent dimension intolerance:
Ensure workers have the proper
measurement specifications and
use the proper patterns
Conduct first article inspection of a
single piece of each size to identify
any issues with dimensions early

24. Misalignedbuttons and holes
Misaligned buttons and
holes usually occur due
to worker error.
To prevent misalignment:
Ensure workers are following
specifications
Ensure workers are vigilant at
the end of the production line
to catch any issues during
internal QC checks

25. Defects of the color, size
or placement of trim
such as embroidery,
print or zippers.
3. Trim &accessorydefects

26. Trim broken/insecure/inoperable
Trim differs from specifications
Trim bleeding
Trim DefectsOverview

27. Trim broken/insecure/inoperable
Trim operation issues are
those where a clothing
accessory is broken or trim
isn’t secure.
To prevent trim operation issues:
Ensure workers aren’t rushing
through production
Catch any issues and address
them during internal QC checks

28. • Incorrect color
• Incorrect size
• Missing trim
Trim differsfrom specification
Sometimes trim differs from
the buyer’s specifications.
Cases of this could include:
To prevent specification deviance:
Ensure all workers are familiar with
the specifications
Keep a product sample on hand for
use as a guide for production

29. Source: thriftyfun.com
Trim bleeding
Trim bleeding occurs when
the color of the trim leeches
or transfers onto the
garment fabric.
To prevent trim bleeding:
Ensure the garment is labeled with
instructions for care
Follow instruction for care as per
the manufacturer’s care label

30. 1. textilelearner.blogspot.com
2. ehow.com
3. thriftyfun.com
references

33. Here are just a few importers that have benefitted from
our fabric and garment inspections:

34. Check out our comprehensive
guideline for garment inspection!
One lastthing...