An elliptical model for lockstitch 301 seam to estimate thread consumption

A geometrical model for lockstitch seam 301 has been proposed based on elliptical profile to estimate the thread consumption. The realistic elliptical shape of a lockstitch 301 seam has been confirmed by observing cut section along seam line. In order to validate a model across the different fabric types, varieties of fabrics from woven shirting, woven jeans, knitted single jersey to nonwoven interlining fabric have been considered. The different number of plies (2, 3 and 4) of given fabrics have been stitched at different levels of stitch densities (3, 4 and 5 stitches per cm) to observe effects in prediction of these parameters. It is found that the error % is increasing with increase in stitch density and number of ply. The proposed elliptical model have been compared with other recent rectangular profile based models, it is found that the propose model is more accurate and generalised with less error %, as compared to other models across the different fabric types. Also there is a strong correlation obtained between practical (actual) thread consumption and predicted from model.