Abstract:
The T-shirt construction quality in Bahir Dar Town small and micro enterprise is poor due the improper selection of stitch and seam type. In case of those problems this studies investigate the influence of stitch and seam type on quality T-shirt construction and suggests possible recommendation to mitigate contributing factors of T-shirt construction. This study followed exploratory mixed design that is qualitative and quantitative. The participated enterprises were selected by using judgment sampling techniques out of seventy eight enterprises. The researcher data gather through interview and experimental. From the data the following findings have been obtained. The enterprise used 100% cotton plain knitted fabrics and light weight for T-shirt construction. The enterprises using three threads over lock and single needle machine for both superimpose and edge finishing seams. Due to using improper machine for proper operation the seam strength and the appearance of T-shirts construction are poor. SMEs used universal point of needles; it has a little bid rounded point, due to this it causes breakage yarn in the fabric. SMEs used 100 % S twist polyester (31 tex) threads for single needle machine and textured polyester filament (17 tex) for overlock machine, it causes breakage during sewing. SMEs used superimpose and edge finish seam types with stitches type (301 and 504). Those are not enough to construct quality T-shirt construct. From the result stitch type (406) has greater strength for edge finishing seams and stitch type (512) has greater strength for edge finishing and superimposed seams.
Key words: T-shirt, seam, stitch, knitted fabric, sewing thread, sewing machine and sewing needle