The role of different Departments and the flow of work

through them in a Clothing Industry

BY DISHA DEWANI
DESIGN DEPARTMENT
● Research and inspiration: The first stage of the design process involves researching and gathering
inspiration for new designs. This may involve looking at fashion trends, analyzing consumer preferences,
researching historical and cultural influences, or exploring different materials and techniques.
● Concept development: Once designers have gathered inspiration, they begin to develop initial concepts for
new designs. This may involve sketching, creating mood boards, or developing rough prototypes.
● Design development: Once the initial concepts have been developed, designers begin to refine and develop
the designs further. This may involve creating more detailed sketches or technical drawings, developing
color and fabric swatches, or creating more detailed prototypes.
● Technical design: Once the designs have been refined, the design team works on the technical aspects of
the garment, such as pattern-making, grading, and construction techniques. This ensures that the final
garment will be well-fitted, comfortable, and functional.
● Sample creation: Once the technical designs have been finalized, the design team creates samples of the
garment using the selected materials and techniques. This allows designers to test the fit and functionality
of the garment and make any necessary adjustments.
● Approval and production: Once the sample has been approved, the design team works with the production
team to create the final product. This involves selecting materials, coordinating with suppliers, and
overseeing the production process to ensure that the final product meets the design specifications and is of
a high quality.
MERCHANDISING DEPARTMENT
● Market research: The first stage of the merchandising process involves researching the market to identify
trends, consumer preferences, and competitors. This may involve analyzing sales data, conducting surveys
or focus groups, or tracking social media trends.
● Product development: Based on the market research, the merchandising team works with the design and
production teams to develop new product lines that meet consumer needs and align with the overall
business strategy. This may involve creating product briefs, selecting materials and colors, and
coordinating with suppliers and manufacturers.
● Pricing and cost analysis: Once the product line has been developed, the merchandising team works with
the finance department to determine pricing and cost structures that will ensure profitability while
remaining competitive in the marketplace.
● Inventory management: The merchandising team is responsible for managing inventory levels to ensure
that products are available to customers when and where they are needed. This may involve forecasting
demand, coordinating with suppliers and manufacturers, and monitoring stock levels in retail stores and
warehouses.
● Sales analysis and reporting: Finally, the merchandising team analyzes sales data to evaluate the
performance of the product line and make recommendations for future product development and inventory
management. This involves tracking sales trends, identifying opportunities for growth, and reporting on
sales performance to senior management.
PATTERNMAKING AND SAMPLING
DEPARTMENT
● The patternmaking and sampling department in the clothing industry is responsible for creating patterns and
samples of garments based on the designs and specifications provided by the design department. The department
works closely with the design team, as well as with production and quality control departments, to ensure that the
final product meets the desired fit, style, and quality standards.
● The flow of work in a patternmaking and sampling department typically involves the following stages:
● Pattern creation: The patternmaker creates the paper or digital patterns for each garment style based on the design
specifications. This involves taking into account the desired fit, fabric type, and construction techniques.
● Sample creation: The pattern is used to create a prototype of the garment, or a sample. The sample is created using
the desired fabric type and construction techniques, and is typically made in a size that represents the target market
for the garment.
● Fitting and adjustments: The sample is then fitted on a model or mannequin to evaluate the fit and make any
necessary adjustments. The patternmaker may make changes to the pattern, or the sample may be adjusted by a
seamstress or tailor.
● Finalizing the pattern: Once the sample has been approved, the patternmaker finalizes the pattern, making any
necessary adjustments to ensure that the garment will be well-fitted and comfortable for the target market.
● Production: The finalized pattern is then used to create production patterns for each size of the garment. These
patterns are used to cut the fabric and construct the final garment in mass production.
 CUTTING DEPARTMENT
● Fabric inspection: Before cutting the fabric, the cutting department inspects the fabric for any flaws or
defects that may affect the quality of the final product. Any flawed fabric is either repaired or discarded.
● Fabric spreading: The fabric is then spread on a large cutting table according to the patterns provided by
the pattern making department. The fabric is typically laid out in layers to ensure accurate cutting and to
minimize waste.
● Marking: The pattern is then marked on the top layer of fabric using chalk or another marking tool. This
serves as a guide for the cutting process.
● Cutting: The fabric is then cut using scissors, a rotary cutter, or a computerized cutting machine. The cutting
method used depends on the type of fabric and the complexity of the pattern. The cut fabric pieces are
then bundled together and labeled according to size and style.
● Quality control: Once the fabric has been cut, it is inspected for accuracy and quality. Any flawed pieces are
either repaired or discarded.
● Bundling and delivery: The cut fabric pieces are then bundled together and delivered to the sewing
department for assembly.
the cutting department works closely with other departments such as patternmaking, production, and quality
control to ensure that the final product meets the desired specifications and quality standards. Communication
and collaboration are key to ensuring that the cutting process runs smoothly and that the final product is
successful in the marketplace.
 SEWING DEPARTMENT
● Preparation: The cut fabric pieces are delivered to the sewing department, where they are sorted,
inspected, and prepared for assembly. The department typically follows a standardized work order or
assembly line process, which includes the preparation of the workstations and the allocation of resources.
● Assembly: The garment assembly process begins with the sewing of the individual fabric pieces according
to the instructions provided by the patternmaking department. The sewing process may involve different
types of stitches, such as straight, zigzag, or overlock stitches, depending on the fabric type and the desired
finish.
● Quality control: Throughout the assembly process, the garments are inspected for accuracy and quality.
Any flawed pieces are either repaired or discarded.
● Finishing: Once the garment has been assembled, it is sent to the finishing department for pressing,
steaming, and other finishing touches. The garment is then inspected for quality and packed for shipping.
● Shipping: The finished garments are then shipped to the warehouse or directly to the customer.
Throughout this process, the sewing department works closely with other departments such as patternmaking,
cutting, production, and quality control to ensure that the final product meets the desired specifications and
quality standards. Communication and collaboration are key to ensuring that the sewing process runs smoothly
and that the final product is successful in the marketplace.
 SEWING DEPARTMENT
● Inspection: Before the finishing process begins, the garments are inspected for any defects or flaws that
may have occurred during the sewing process. Any issues are addressed before the garments move on to
the finishing department.
● Pressing: The garments are then pressed to remove any wrinkles and create a polished appearance. This
process can involve using steam irons, pressing machines, or other specialized equipment depending on
the fabric type and the desired finish.
● Trimming: Any excess fabric, threads, or loose stitches are trimmed from the garments to create a clean
and finished appearance.
● Button and zipper attachment: Buttons and zippers are attached to the garments using specialized
equipment to ensure accurate placement and secure attachment.
● Embellishment: If the garments require additional embellishment, such as embroidery, sequins, or other
decorative elements, this is added in the finishing department.
● Final inspection: Once the finishing touches have been added, the garments are inspected again to ensure
that they meet the desired quality standards.
● Packaging: The finished garments are then packaged and labeled for shipping to customers or retailers.
Throughout this process, the finishing department works closely with other departments such as sewing,
production, and quality control to ensure that the final product meets the desired specifications and quality
standards. Communication and collaboration are key to ensuring that the finishing process runs smoothly and
that the final product is successful in the marketplace.
 PACKING AND SHIPPING DEPARTMENT
The packing and shipping department in the clothing industry is responsible for packaging and preparing finished
garments for shipment to customers or retailers. The department typically follows a structured process that
includes the following stages:

● Sorting: The finished garments are sorted according to the customer or retailer they will be shipped to and
any specific shipping requirements.
● Packaging: The garments are then packaged according to their size, type, and any customer or retailer
requirements. This may include folding, bagging, or boxing the garments.
● Labeling: The packaged garments are labeled with the necessary information such as customer or retailer
name and address, product description, and shipping instructions.
● Shipping: Once packaged and labeled, the garments are shipped to their destination using a variety of
transportation methods, such as air, sea, or ground shipping.
● Tracking: The packing and shipping department tracks the shipments to ensure that they arrive at their
destination on time and in good condition.
The packing and shipping department works closely with other departments such as finishing, production, and
customer service to ensure that the final product meets the desired specifications and quality standards and is
delivered to the customer or retailer on time. Communication and collaboration are key to ensuring that the
packing and shipping process runs smoothly and that the final product is successful in the marketplace.