Final Inspection

Introduction

• Final inspection consists of inspecting finished garments from the consumer’s point of view; size measurement; form fitting (putting garments on the proper-size mannequins to see if they properly fit the labeled sizes); and live modeling if necessary (again to see if the garments properly fit the labeled sizes).

• Final inspection may occur before or after garments are packed in polybags and boxes.

• If it is done after garments are packed, then proper size and style markings on the package can also be checked.

• In any case, there should be a list of points to be checked in a garment, including a table of finished measurements.

• For example such a list is shown for men’s dress shirts in the below table

Final Inspection - Quality Specifications for Men’s Dress Shirts.

Location Inspect for 1. Collar Both points same length (+1/8 in.). Stripes, plaids, checks, or pattern should match on

both points. Uniformly stitched, no puckering, skipped or broken stitches, or raw edges. Should lay flat.

1. Buttons and Buttonholes

Properly spaced, no puckering or fullness. Buttonholes properly sewed, no cut stitches. No broke buttons. Located so stripes, plaids, or patterns match (+1/8 in.).

1. Pocket Top of the pocket horizontal. Uniformly stitched, no puckering, skipped or broken stitches, or raw edges. Corners securely tacked. Stripes, plaids, checks or patterns should match (+1/8 in.). Should lay flat

1. Hems Uniformly stitched, no puckering, skipped or broken stitches, or raw edges. Stitching 1/16 in. from edge.

1. Yoke and Shoulder Pleats (if any) properly placed. Uniformly stitched, no puckering, skipped or broken stitches, or raw edges. Should lay flat.

1. Side Seams Stripes, plaids, checks, or patterns should match (+1/8 in.). Uniformly stitched, no puckering, skipped or broken stitches, or raw edges.

1. Cuff Stripes, Plaids, checks or patterns should match the sleeve (+1/8 in.). Uniformly stitched, no puckering, skipped or broken stitches, or raw edges.

1. Finished appearance Clean of all loose thread. No oil/dirt stains. Free of any fabric defect. No shade difference within a shirt from part to part (panel to panel).

Measurements for men’s L/S dress shirts.

Some possible defects in garments with diagrams

Left side is off grain to the seam

Poor Stitching : Loops pulled to one side

Poor Collar: Collar is not smooth and there are tucks where the collar and lapels join together.

Zipper is unattractive because facing does not cover it completely

Zipper is unattractive because facing does not cover it completely

Armhole seam is unattractive because gathers caught in seam

Hem is unattractive because gathers and stitching show on the outside

Unattractive seam because of puckering

Pocket opening is too loose

Material is caught in armhole seam

Opening is uneven at the bottom

Top button hole is too large for the button

• Control of proper size is extremely important because no matter how well a garment is made, unless it fits properly, it will be useless from a customer’s point of view.

• Control of garment dimensions will not guarantee that the garments will fit right, look right, and feel right.

• Fit is dependent on pattern shape, proportion, and dimension as well as proper grain. Poor cutting and inaccurate sewing can result in poor or not fit at all.

• Checking garment for size, appearance, fit drape, and so on by putting them on appropriate mannequins is called “form fitting,” whereas the checking those items by having someone try them on is called “live modeling”.

• Form fitting and live modeling will contribute significantly toward assuring that the garments in question fit right, look right, and feel right for their intended sizes.