Français
With industrialisation and mass production, we quickly forgot the multitude of jobs that are hidden behind our clothes.
Did you know that no more than 10 different jobs intervene in the production process?
From the fibre to the end product, it is these know-how that we chose to present you today.
Step 1: THE FIBRE
Whether it is linen, hemp or cotton, it has to start somewhere. Cultivation of the raw material is the origin of the clothes confection. Regarding the natural fabrics made from plants, the farmer sows, looks after and collects the fibres.
Step 2 : THE SPINNING
It is then time for the spinner to start his work. His main role is to transform the raw material into a thread. To obtain this result, fibres are successively cleared from impurities, groomed, stretched and braided.
Step 3 : THE WEAVING
There are several weaving methods according to the result wanted. For example, the “classic” weaving will obtain more rigid fabric such as jeans while the meshing will give a more flexible result, perfect to make t-shirts.
Step 4 : THE DYEING
Such as weaving, we can distinguish different know-how. Indeed, this step is not stuck in time. We can choose to dye either the thread, the fabric or the end product. But that’s not all! In case of printing a pattern, it can be done with different methods: screen print, block print (from India), batik and shibori representative from Japan and also other techniques from all around the world.
Step 5 : THE SEWING
This step gathers all the jobs from confection, that makes garments come to life. Before the sewing step, the fabric is cut but it is usually the same people who make both steps. The pieces now in shape are ready to be gathered. The last details such as embroidery or labels are then done.
But wait, I think we forgot some jobs! Because these clothes, before having a shape, were imagined by creators and stylists. And then, they were prototyped, which is the work of a model maker.
Bonus: And after? There is another step before the end products are in our wardrobes. Transporteurs give the products to distributors: online and physical shops.
I don’t know for you, but after learning that, it’s hard for us to believe that a t-shirt can only cost 10$!