Sweatpants manufacturing entirely began early in the 1920s as only sportswear. Previously, jersey cotton was the only material used to produce sweatpants simply because it was warm and easy to dry. Yet, as the years went by, manufacturers started using other materials like nylon and even cotton.
This article will serve as your guide to the depth of the sweatpants manufacturing industry. It’ll provide the important information that you need to learn if you want to add a sweatpants to your brand collection.
Understanding The Sweatpants Manufacturing
Source: InStyle
The creation of sweatpants has a vital role in shaping the manufacturing industry. They provide comfort and style.
Ordinarily, sweatpants are used for running and roaming around due to their fit, which allows the wearer to move freely. However, as time went by, sweatpants developed into something that could be worn as a sense of fashion.
In order to understand how the sweatpants manufacturing industry really works, you must know the ins and outs of it. You need to learn how you can make unique designs to make your brand remarkable.
Don’t sweat it! This article will explain how the sweatpant manufacturing industry works. After that, we’re certain that you could build your own brand, and we are there to support and guide you.
How To Design Perfect Sweatpants?
Source: Adobe Stock
Designing the perfect sweatpants for your brand takes a lot of work. Sweatpant manufacturing takes a lot of effort, from pattern making to design to sewing. If you plan to add sweatpants to your brand collection, you have to understand how to design sweatpants for your brand.
What are the steps to designing your sweatpants?
The first stop is how to design it; worry no more! Here are the steps to designing sweatpants:
1. Establish Your Goals for the Sweatpants
Since sweatpants can be worn not only for recreational activities like running, the goals of manufacturing sweatpants vary depending on the purpose of the sweatpants. With that, before sending the design to the manufacturer, you need to establish your goals.
You might as well ask yourself this question:
- “Do I need these sweatpants for a workout or just to incorporate with my other clothes?”
- “How many times can I wear this?”
- “What type of sweatpants are perfect for my body, considering my height?”
These questions will help you sort out the factors that might affect your goals in deciding what design you want for the sweatpants.
Make sure that the design you want is aligned with the production cost. You can do that by reaching out to manufacturers. Ask them what the ways are to lessen the manufacturing cost while maintaining quality and your design.
2. Apply Your Imagination
At this point, you have to construct ideas for the design of your sweatpants. Your design will give life to your sweatpants, which is why it’s essential to choose a design that incorporates yourself.
To help you, try asking yourself these questions:
- “What color suits my skin tone?”
- “Should I add huge designs to it or just the minimal designs?”
- “Does this design incorporate my tops and shirts?”
You have to remember that your design will make your sweatpants unique from others. Since there are already a lot of styles and sweatpants designs on the market, you have to create your own. You can also use the existing designs as your basis. Try to think of something, not in those designs.
Most importantly, you can ask for some advice from the sweatpants manufacturing experts. Ask them what designs they think will suit the market. Or ask them for some help when it comes to selecting the color for the sweatpants.
3. Sketch
This step is needed. Your sketch serves as a guide for the sweatpants manufacturer.
We highly encourage those startup business owners to make their sketches as durable and visible as possible.
Further, if you are not into sketching, we can help you with that. Some sweatpants designers could help you put your ideas into a beautiful sketch.
4. Choose Your Fabric
When choosing a fabric, it is important to consider the skin type of the wearer. And, if you have a specific fabric preference, make sure to let the manufacturer know about it.
5. Decide who’s designing your sweatpants.
If you don’t have the tools or skills needed to design your sweatpants. You might as well hire someone to do it for you. With that, here are the platforms where you can find sweatpants manufacturing experts or sweatpants designers:
- Fiverr
- People Per Hour
Tips for designing sweatpants
This section aims to cater to your needs and help you build your brand. With that, the information is nonstop!
Be as creative as possible! The following tips can help you create a unique design for your sweatpants:
1. Decide On The Placement
Proper placement of your design is important to highlight the design itself. Typically, sweatpants manufacturing experts put the design on the leg part, hip part, and even the ankle.
Moreover, you have to consider the size of your design when selecting its placement. In some cases, two or more placements can be used as the base for the design.
2. Pick The Color For Your Sweatpants
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In sweatpants manufacturing, the most common colors manufacturers use are gray, black, white, and brown. Yes, there are some cases where the sweatpants have vibrant colors, and that is valid.
3. Add visuals and graphics
Source: Pinterest
The more the design is catchy, the more attention it can get. To make your sweatpants unique, you need to build your signature design. You can try to mix and match the colors or add some graphics to it.
You need to gather as many loyal customers as you can, and having a signature design is what you’ll need.
4. Make Use of Typography
Source: Pinterest
Typography in sweatpants isn’t a new thing. However, with the proper guidance from your sweatpants manufacturer, you can elevate your design using typography. Naturally, the most silly words are the most remarkable ones.
In addition, you can go for typography, or the combination of visual and typography. You might as well use your imagination and be as resourceful as possible.
8 types of sweatpants for you
Part of your objective is to determine the specific type of sweatpants you want to make.
Hence, imagine yourself wearing these types of sweatpants; it might help you decide what sweatpants you want to make.
1. Nylon Sweatpants
Source: Pinterest
Nylon sweatpants are composed of nylon fabric, which is resistant to rubbing and water exposure. While running your errands or exercising, nylon sweatpants are the best to have, as they offers comfort and flexibility.
2. Striped Sweatpants
Source: Adidas
Striped sweatpants are an example of designed sweatpants because they have striped lines. Usually, it is composed of cotton and polyester. They have a rough texture as well as a constant pattern making the appearance stable.
3. Slim Fit Sweatpants
Source: Allbirds
Women mostly wear this type of sweatpant because of the fit it provides to their frame. This type of sweatpant is usually made up of soft stretch cotton, and it has an elasticized leg bottom that hugs the legs of the wearer.
4. Baggy Sweatpants
Source: Pinterest
As I have mentioned, sweatpants are not only for running errands and workout sessions; they are also trendsetters.
Many Hollywood superstars wear sweatpants as their sense of fashion, particularly baggy sweatpants. In addition, baggy sweatpants are usually made up of soft cotton and are more loose than usual.
5. Pocketed Sweatpants
Source: Pinterest
Looking for something convenient to wear? I believe sweatpants with pockets are the best deal.
This type of sweatpant is commonly made of cotton like the others, but it has pockets on the side of the leg.
If you have something to do outside that requires moving as quickly as possible, wearing these sweatpants could be a great help. It has huge and deep pockets that can keep your wallet and phone safe while moving around.
6. Drawstring Sweatpants
Source: Amazon
Adjusting is this sweatpants thing. Drawstring sweatpants are one type of sweatpants that can be tightened or loosened, preferably worn while running. It is made up of cotton.
7. Jogger Pants
Source: Pinterest
Joggers are considered sweatpants that are made out of cotton, polyester, or fleece and can provide maximum comfort while doing activities. Meanwhile, some people would prefer to use a jogger as a fashion show-off because some people used to wear it with other clothes as well.
8. Cropped Sweatpants
Source: The Great
The cropped sweatpant, also known as capri pants, is a versatile sweatpant suitable for any season. It is extended down to mid-calf and it has drawstrings or elastic bands that make it convenient to wear. Additionally, this can be paired with sneakers or flat shoes, perfect for workouts and casual events.
Anatomy Of Sweatpants
Manufacturers of sweatpants do not only pay attention to the design of sweatpants. They ensure that everything is attached properly such as the main parts and the additional parts like the pocket.
What fabric is best for sweatpants?
Source: Fabworks Online
Several fabrics are used to manufacture sweatpants. Almost every fabric can be used for almost every type of sweatpants. Here are some of the common fabrics used for sweatpants:
1. Cotton
Softness and breathability make cotton the best material for making sweatpants. Cotton is used to make almost all sweatpants since they are meant for easy movement. It fits well with diverse skin types because it minimizes skin abrasion.
To dig deeper, here are the types of cotton you can use for sweatpants:
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Pima Cotton
This cotton fiber has been hailed as the best because it is soft and has long staples. It is wrinkle-resistant and doesn’t fade easily.
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Organic Cotton
Grown without chemicals, organic cotton does not come from genetically engineered plants.
Overall, cotton has many types that cater to almost all garments in the world, which makes it versatile as well.
2. Polyester
For longer-lasting sweatpants, use polyester fabric. It’s recognized for persisting against wear and tear as well as shielding against ultraviolet radiation.
3. Fleece
Fleece is primarily polyester, a synthetic material derived from petroleum. The reason behind its usage by sweatpants manufacturers is its ability to resist water.
4. Nylon
“Parachute pants” is a nickname sometimes given to sweatpants, particularly those made of nylon, due to their similar lightweight and flowy feel. Nylon’s durability, insulation in cold weather, and quick-drying properties make it a popular choice for activewear and sweatpants, effectively managing moisture from sweat.
5. Spandex
Spandex fabric is renowned for its stretchiness. This fabric makes very comfortable slim-fit sweatpants. Furthermore, it is appropriate when creating an athletic line for your brand.
How Does The Sweatpants Manufacturing Industry Make Patterns?
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With the right pattern come the perfect sweatpants for you and your brand. Before anything else, you have to know the ins and outs of pattern making as well as the cutting process. This will help you track the process that your sweatpants will undergo.
Remember that there are sweatpants with and without pockets and drawstrings. That is why it’s important to consider the type of sweatpants you want to add to your brand.
What is pattern making?
To make your brand a trendsetter, you need to have the perfect pattern, and we are here to help you with that. You have to remember that your pattern is your blueprint that will guide the sweatpants manufacturers. In regards to that, these are the steps to pattern making:
1. Sketch Your Design
Gather your design ideas, prepare a durable and clean piece of paper, and sketch your pattern. Try to add all the details you want for your sweatpants, including the color. Your imagination will make your pattern come alive, so better use it.
Once you’re done, prepare your fabric, pins, rulers, such as the french curve, and marking tools.
2. Make Accurate Measurements
With accurate measurements come the perfect sweatpants that fit your taste. Make sure to send to your manufacturer accurate measurements to avoid manufacturing the wrong size.
3. Decide How To Make The Pattern
There are 2 ways to make a pattern: Pattern drafting and Draping
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Pattern Drafting
This is a method for creating basic blocks for your design based on specific body parts such as the waist, hip, thigh, knee, and leg.
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Draping
This technique is a 3D technique that creates patterns by placing the fabric directly on the human body. It allows the manipulation of different fabrics to achieve different effects.
4. Add Details
The pattern must be accurate, so adding curves and notches prevents mishaps due to a lack of space.
5. Digitize Your Pattern
Once you have your pattern, you can reproduce it through an online copy. Remember that the pattern must be accurate in any aspect. The pattern is the blueprint of the whole manufacturing process, which is why it has to be perfect.
Marking Tips for Cutting Patterns on Fabric
To manually mark and prepare the fabric for cutting, here are the tips:
- Lay the fabric on a flat surface.
- Put the pattern on top of the fabric and secure it using pins.
- Use marking tools such as tailor’s chalk and tracing wheel to trace the pattern into the fabric.
- Add seam allowances. Further, the standard seam allowance for sweatpants and similar garments is 1.5 cm.
How Do Sweatpants Manufacturers Cut And Sew The Fabric?
Source: Upstyle Daily
Sweatpants Manufacturing not only requires accurate patterns, but it also requires the right process of cutting and sewing. The results of sweatpants can be seen in the cutting and sewing processes, which is why they require focus and sharp tailor’s shears.
How do I cut sweatpants?
Sweatpant manufacturing requires two ways of cutting. These are the pieces that are cut according to style.
1. Cutting The Pieces
Since sweatpants have only a few parts, the cutting process can take no time. The following are the parts of the sweatpants that can be cut separately:
- Waist band
- Body
2. Cut According to Style
There are various types of sweatpants, and each has its specific dimensions. In this method of cutting, the measurements must be followed thoroughly since sweatpants have their styles.
Sewing the fabric pieces
Source: The Daily Guardian
The next step in manufacturing sweatpants is the sewing process, whereby pieces of fabric are sewn together. Besides machinery, the majority of sweatpants designers utilize overlock machines and industrial sewing machines when making many sweatpants.
What Are The Different Types Of Seams For Sweatpants?
There are various seams sweatpants manufacturers use for making them. Let’s dive into the types of seams.
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Double-stitched seam
This seam is used for thick fabrics, it involves joining pieces of fabric together with extra strength.
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Plain seam
This is the most common type of seam, usually for lightweight fabrics. It involves simply joining two pieces of fabric together. If you want to put a pocket on your sweatpants, go for plain seams.
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Flat-felled seam
Like the double-stitched seam, it also strengthens the attachment of the fabric pieces. Ordinarily, this is used for jeans, pajamas, and sweatpants.
What Are The Measurement Points For Sweatpants?
Without accurate measurements, you will not be able to make your brand stable and versatile. If you plan on starting your own brand of sweatpants or making it your side hustle. You also need to consider measurements other than yourself.
You can open this topic to your manufacturer and together think of a way to gather other measurements. In the meantime, here are the measurement points you may jot down and talk about with your manufacturer:
- Hips
- Waist
- Abdomen
- Thigh
- Knee
- Calf
- Instep
- Crotch
- Side length
- Side length to knee
All these measurements are crucial to making an accurate pattern; make sure to take note of everything.
The Art Of Printing
To elevate the designs of the sweatpants, the art of printing plays a vital role. There are several methods and techniques of printing that started even in the early days. Some of them are:
1. Direct To Garment (DTG) Printing
Source: Zalora
Direct to Garment (DTG) printing uses technology such as digital printers. This technique is the most convenient way to add design to your sweatpants. You just need to enter the design into the printer. And the machine will directly put it into your fabric.
2. Screen Printing
Source: Pinterest
Screen printing is all about using ink, a mesh screen, and a rubber blade to transfer the design to the fabric. It is the oldest printing technique. But some manufacturers still use it for sweatpants.
3. Dye Sublimation
Source: SignatureLocker
As its name suggests, dye sublimation is a technique that uses dye to create designs on the fabric. Usually, there is a pattern of design or motif to follow while putting dyes into the fabric.
4. Puff Printing
Source: Ebay
Puff printing elevates sweatpants with raised, 3D designs. This technique uses special ink that expands with heat, adding depth and a unique texture to logos or graphics. The result is eye-catching streetwear that feels as cool as it looks.
What Are The Different Types Of Garment Washing For Sweatpants?
Once the sweatpants are manufactured, they have to be taken care of. There are two ways to garment wash the sweatpants:
1. Normal Wash
Source: TallPaul
This technique uses the traditional way of washing clothes using your hands, water, and detergent. Also, in normal washing, the sweatpants are washed using machines, like washing machines.
2. Pigment Wash
Source: Unlabeled
This technique is helpful if you want to add other colors or designs to your sweatpants. This is useful for recreating the colors of your sweatpants. Moreover, this uses water and gradually applies pigments of dye to the fabric after washing it with detergent and water.
3. Vintage Wash
Source: Teddy Fresh
To achieve a worn-in look in sweatpants, you can do a vintage wash. It is a combination of garment-washing techniques. The popular one is enzyme washing, which breaks down fibers for softness, while stone washing adds subtle abrasions. Pigment dyeing contributes to a faded appearance, overall creating that coveted vintage aesthetic.
Quality Control Measures
To ensure the quality of the sweatpants, they must undergo tests. These tests include textile testing, product design analysis, seam inspection, sizing, and fitting.
Sizing and Fitting
Simply put, sizing and fitting aim to test the sweatpants to see if they have the right measurements from your pattern. As I mentioned, your measurements must be taken accurately.
A fitting test is needed to ensure that the sweatpants meet the design expectations as well as what you need. Further, in these tests, the dimensions and ratios of every part of the sweatpants will undergo a thorough analysis. This analysis includes determining if the two legs are accurate to one another and if the waistband is durable enough in case it is pulled with force.
Packaging And Branding
Source: Packaging Company
If you plan to make your brand with a sweatpants collection, you need unique packaging and branding.
- Labeling: Your label must be eye-catching, neat, and concise. You need to think outside the box for your label and logo. Further, it is better to include the care instructions, fiber content, and other necessary details about your sweatpants.
- Tags: When making tags for your sweatpants, consider the durability of the materials.
- Packaging: Many of the packaging options are already on the market. You need to think of something new and easy to carry. Go for paper bags made with water resistant material. They will help your brand stand out. Better go for something convenient to carry even in the rainy season.
Sweatpant manufacturing requires time, skills, effort, creativity, and funds. To decide properly, why not try to reach out first to sweatpants manufacturers or experts in this field?
In Conclusion
The sweatpants manufacturing industry offers a wealth of opportunities for those seeking to create comfortable and stylish apparel. By understanding the design process, fabric choices, pattern making, and quality control measures, you can confidently embark on creating your own unique sweatpants brand.
Remember, the key to success lies in finding the right balance between functionality and fashion. By prioritizing comfort, durability, and style, you can design sweatpants that not only meet the needs of your target audience but also elevate their everyday wardrobe. With dedication and the right partners, your sweatpants brand can become a sought-after name in the fashion industry.
Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of sweatpant manufacturing? Let us help you turn your vision into reality, contact us now!
