WBBSE Madhyamik Vocational Apparel key terms

The part of the economy that designs, manufactures, and sells clothing and other wearable products. It includes fibre production, spinning, weaving, garment making, finishing, and retail, and employs millions of workers in India and abroad.

The increase in worth of a product at each stage of processing, such as turning fibre into yarn, yarn into fabric, and fabric into a finished garment. Higher value addition usually means higher wages and better margins.

A fibre obtained from plants, animals, or minerals without chemical manufacture, for example cotton, jute, silk, and wool. Each has its own length, strength, and moisture behaviour that affect how it is spun and worn.

A fibre produced industrially from polymers, either from petrochemicals such as polyester and nylon or from regenerated cellulose such as viscose. Its properties can be controlled during manufacture, giving uniform strength and length.

A fibre of limited, measurable length, such as cotton or wool. Staples must be twisted together during spinning to form a yarn, unlike continuous filaments that run the full length of the yarn.

A fibre of indefinite, continuous length, such as silk from a cocoon or extruded polyester. Filaments can be used directly as yarn or cut into short lengths to be blended and spun with staple fibres.

A number expressing the thickness or fineness of a yarn. In the indirect English cotton system a higher count means a finer yarn, while in direct systems such as tex a higher number means a coarser yarn.

The spiral turns given to fibres or filaments to hold them together as a yarn. More twist gives a stronger, harder yarn; too little twist lets the yarn fray, and too much makes the fabric stiff and kinky.

Fabric made by interlacing two sets of yarns at right angles on a loom: lengthwise warps and crosswise wefts. Plain, twill, and satin are the basic weaves, and each produces a different surface and drape.

Fabric formed by interlocking loops of yarn rather than interlacing straight threads. It stretches more than woven cloth, does not fray easily, and is used for T-shirts, hosiery, and sweaters.

Cloth made from two or more fibre types spun together, such as polyester-cotton. Blending combines useful properties, for example strength with absorbency, but can complicate recycling and requires care in dyeing and pressing.

The mass of a fabric per unit area, usually given in grams per square metre. It guides the choice of needle, thread, and stitch length, and decides whether a cloth suits a shirt, a trouser, or a winter coat.

A line marked on a pattern piece showing the direction it must lie on the fabric, normally parallel to the lengthwise warp. Following it keeps the garment hanging straight and prevents twisting after washing.

The process of drawing full-size garment parts on paper using body measurements and standard rules. The resulting pattern pieces carry seam allowances, notches, and grain lines needed for accurate cutting.

The extra width added beyond the stitching line on a pattern so the pieces can be joined. Common allowances are one centimetre for straight seams and more for hems or easing areas.

A trial garment made in cheap fabric from a drafted pattern to check fit and proportion before cutting the final cloth. Faults found on the toile are corrected on the paper pattern.

A small mark cut or drawn on the edge of a pattern piece to show where it matches another piece during sewing. Matching notches keeps curves and corners aligned and prevents twisted seams.

The stage of separating fabric into garment parts according to the pattern. It requires correct grain alignment, sharp shears or a cutting machine, and accurate marking so that pieces fit together later.

A plan showing how pattern pieces are laid out on the fabric to use the least cloth. A tight marker with correct grain direction lowers fabric wastage and therefore the cost per garment.

The line of stitching that joins two or more pieces of fabric. Plain, French, and overlock seams differ in strength and neatness, and the choice depends on the fabric and the garment's use.

The complete sequence of operations that turns cut fabric into a wearable item, including joining, pressing, attaching trims, and finishing. Good construction gives a garment that fits, lasts, and looks clean inside.

The distance between successive needle penetrations in a line of sewing. Short stitches suit fine fabric and reinforcement, longer stitches suit heavy cloth, and the wrong length causes puckering or weak seams.

The balance of thread tightness between the upper and lower threads of a sewing machine. Correct tension makes a stitch that locks inside the fabric; too tight or too loose produces loops or puckers.

The small spool that holds the lower thread inside the sewing machine and supplies it to the hook race. A correctly wound bobbin, neither loose nor overfilled, is essential for even stitches.

A number describing the thickness of a sewing machine needle, often given in both metric and Singer systems. Light fabrics need fine needles and heavy fabrics need thick ones to avoid snags or skipped stitches.

The routine care that keeps a machine working well: cleaning lint, oiling moving parts, replacing bent needles, and checking belts. Regular maintenance prevents skipped stitches, thread breakage, and costly repairs.

Cutting tools with zigzag blades that leave a saw-toothed edge on fabric. The edge reduces fraying on woven cloth and is used to finish seam allowances on light, inexpensive garments.

A small hand tool with a sharp point and curved blade used to cut and remove unwanted stitches without damaging the fabric. It is essential for correcting sewing mistakes and opening buttonholes.

Decorative stitching worked on fabric by hand or machine to create patterns, motifs, or borders. It adds surface interest and value to plain garments and is a major skill in the apparel trade.

Any technique that decorates cloth to improve its appearance, such as embroidery, printing, dyeing, applique, or beadwork. The choice depends on cost, fabric type, and the market the garment targets.

A decoration made by cutting a shape from one fabric and stitching it onto another. The edges are usually turned under or finished with a close stitch so the motif stays flat through washing.

The controlled use of heat, moisture, and pressure to smooth fabric and set stitches during and after sewing. Correct pressing gives crisp edges and professional shape; careless ironing stretches or shines the cloth.

A label attached to a garment giving washing, drying, ironing, and dry-cleaning instructions. It protects the buyer and the seller and must match the fibre content and any special finishes used.

The planned checks used at each production stage to keep garments within agreed standards. It covers fabric inspection, measurement checks, stitch quality, and final audit before packing and dispatch.

The systematic examination of fabric or finished garments against a specification, often using a checklist or AQL sampling plan. Defects found are recorded, graded, and either repaired or rejected.

Any fault in fabric or workmanship that makes a garment unacceptable to the buyer, such as a skipped stitch, stain, or measurement error. Defects are graded by severity and counted in quality audits.

Gear worn to reduce workplace injury, such as finger guards, goggles, masks, and closed shoes in a sewing or cutting room. It supplements safe practice but never replaces proper machine guarding and training.

Any condition in the workplace that can harm a worker, for example needle pricks, dust, noise, poor lighting, or awkward posture. Identifying hazards is the first step in controlling risk.

The design of workstations, chairs, and tasks to fit the human body. In garment units it means correct table height, good lighting, and planned breaks to reduce back, neck, and eye strain.

The handling of fabric scraps, thread, packaging, and chemical waste so that harm to people and the environment is minimised. Reuse, segregation, and safe disposal are the main practices taught in workshops.

A statement listing all costs of producing a garment, such as fabric, trims, labour, overheads, and profit margin. It sets the selling price and shows where savings can be made.

The level of sales at which total revenue equals total cost, so there is neither profit nor loss. A small enterprise must know this figure to set realistic production and pricing targets.

The activity of starting and running a business, taking financial risk in return for profit. In apparel it includes identifying a market, arranging resources, and managing production, quality, and sales.

The combination of product, price, place, and promotion used to sell a garment line. A clear mix helps a small unit reach the right customers and compete without cutting quality.

An organised collection of a candidate's practical work, such as samples, patterns, photographs, and finished items, with notes on the process. It shows skills and progress and is assessed in project work.