Definition
Apparel technology refers to the totality of processes, methods, and technologies by which textile surfaces — such as woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, or nonwovens — are made into clothing articles. It encompasses all process steps from pattern construction and cutting through sewing, bonding, or welding to garment assembly and finishing. Both manual and machine-based, as well as increasingly automated, manufacturing methods are used. Apparel technology combines craft fundamentals with the engineering principles of manufacturing and materials technology.
Use in the textile industry
In the textile industry, apparel technology is applied in the series production of outerwear and underwear, protective workwear, and sportswear. Key areas include computer-aided pattern construction (CAD), automated marker-making optimization for material savings, and the use of sewing machines and pressing equipment in garment assembly. Quality-relevant properties such as seam strength, dimensional accuracy, and processing quality are ensured through standardized testing procedures and process controls.
Learn textile knowledge in context
You have just looked up a single technical term. In textil trainer, you learn how textile materials, processes, and contexts are connected.
The free learning platform teaches textile fundamentals step by step in interactive online courses. Each online course includes its own glossary with the most important terms of the respective topic. Across all courses, more than 600 textile terms with narrated explanations are available.
textil trainer is developed together with the Chair of Textile Technologies at Chemnitz University of Technology, chemmedia AG, and companies and educational institutions from the textile sector.