Cut and sew

The term cut and sew refers to a manufacturing process used to make custom garments in the fashion industry.^[1] A whole piece of any fabric is first placed on a cutting table or run through a cutting machine. A garment piece or shape is then cut out and sent for sewing through the garment assembly. A cut-and-sewn garment can include any custom measurements and fabric. This is not a pre-made blank garment. Cut-and-sew manufacturing includes the following steps: pattern making, maker making, cutting, sewing, finishing, and quality control.

The term is prevalent in the urban fashion industry, where designers can either screen-print a design on a pre-made garment, such as a t-shirt or hooded sweatshirt, or have the entire garment created from scratch. In the latter case, the designer of the graphic also played a role in creating the garment itself.^[2] Cut and sew garments are generally of higher quality and price than a standard mass-produced item.^{[citation needed]} Brands like A Bathing Ape, Diamond Supply Co., Marc Ecko and Kanati Clothing Company have 'cut and sew' lines, which are most commonly items like button up shirts and other higher end clothing items instead of items like t-shirts.

In the apparel manufacturing industry, "cut and sew" refers to cutting and sewing garments from purchased fabric, as distinct from knitting fabric and then cutting and sewing that knit fabric into garments.^[3] In a way, this manufacturing process is a more efficient way of making clothing as opposed to weaving, sewing, crocheting and knitting by hand, since it is machine operated. Before this, some fabrics were turned into garments on machines like looms, and they had to take on their shape at the same time. Materials like leather used to require special thread, thicker needles, and sharper tools to cut, but this can now be done with advanced machines. The cut-and-sew manufacturing process is essential to apparel because it allows people to have more control over designs and patterns and to be as creative as possible due to its flexibility.

The process of working with a cut-and-sew factory would start with sending them a tech pack and/or providing a sew-by sample. You will also need to provide fabric and any trimmings you wish to add to your garment. You then get a pre-production sample, which you can adjust if needed or send through for production. The pros of working with a cut-and-sew factory include greater customization and the ability to create a unique garment.