List of Trimmings and Accessories Used in Clothing Industry

List of Trimmings and Accessories Used in the Clothing Industry 

Noor Ahmed Raaz
Specialized in Apparel Manufacturing
Owner and Editor in chief Textile Merchandising
Asst. Prof., Department of Textile Engineering
Atish Dipankar University of Science & Technology
Email: mnnabi@adust.edu.bd

Trimmings:

All the materials except fabric required to make garments are known as trimmings and accessories. But sometimes we make a confused between trimmings and accessories. Basically, trimmings are those which attached to the body of garments by sewing.  Some trimmings can be seen from outside that is the button and some can’t be seen from outside the garments that are interlinings and some used for decorative purposes. There are different types of trimmings are used in garments such as-

1. Sewing thread
2. Button
3. Lining
4. Interlining
5. Rivet
6. Label
7.  Motif
8. Zipper
9. Hook and loop fastness (VELCRO)
10. Lace, braid and elastic
11. Shoulder pad
12. Wedding

Accessories:

On the other hands, accessories are those which are not attached to the body of garments by sewing. For this way of applying in garments, accessories are used as decorative purposes. There are different types of trimmings are used in garments such as-

1. Carton
2. Gum Tape
3. Polybag
4. Hanger
5. Tissue Paper
6. Tag pack
7. Sticker
8. Plastic Clip

The Quality of Trimmings and Accessories:

Trimmings and accessories may be of textile materials or non-textile materials. But they should be selected carefully to get the desired performance from them. The major important qualities of trimmings and accessories are described below-

1. Life Time
2. Shrinkage
3. Color Fastness
4. Rust
5. Comfort Ability

1. Life Time:

The lifetime of garments and that of the trimmings should be equal. Otherwise, the items will be faded or spoiled by washing, pressing, ironing, rubbing. This is not desirable.

2. Shrinkage:

The outlook and quality of the garments may be hampered if the accessories shrink due to ironing, washing or pressing. For example, seam pucker will result in if the sewing thread shrinks. So the shrink ability of the garments and the trimmings should be checked earlier.

3. Color Fastness:

The fastness properties of accessories should be good. The color of trimmings should not be faded due to washing or exposure to sunlight. The appearance of garments will be hampered if the trimmings are faded. So colorfastness of trimmings should be considered carefully.

4. Rust:

Where items are made from metal, the main consideration is the problem of rusting. If rusting occurs on buttons, rivets etc they will create spot-on garments. So, to avoid this problem, the metal trimmings should be electroplated or they should be made up of non – rusting materials.

5. Comfort Ability:

Trimmings should not create an uncomfortable feeling to the wearer. They should be hygienic also as to cause no skin disease.