This paper investigates the problems associated with heat loss occurring at the points of needle insertion. The insulation material at stitching points is compressed by sewing thread tensions and consequently the air entrapped is forced to leave its structure. It results in poor thermal insulation at the points of needle insertions. An innovative material feeding technology, 'Spacer stitching' is developed which addresses the state of the art of cold spots with a simpler and much efficient method. A comparison of sewing samples of conventional sewing technology with the spacer stitching is carried out in this research paper to study the improvement in thermal properties.

Textile membranes are suitable for a wide range of applications due to their user-adjustable properties, which can be modified based on both the textile reinforcement structure and the coating material. Complex dynamic loads are involved in typical usage scenarios for load-bearing components of textile architecture, e.g., unsupported convertible roofs of halls or stadiums, temporary buildings, large-volume consumable media storage and the main sail of sailing boats. It is generally known that particularly in the area of membrane joints, successive degradation of seam strength may occur. This paper addresses the realization of an in situ measurement system for textile surface formation in textile membranes, which is introduced locally in the area of the joining zone and is compatible with the materials as well as the ultrasonic welding process itself. These development efforts are supported by a numerical investigation in terms of the serviceability and residual load-carrying capacity of the joining zone and the textile membrane surface area.

Sewing is the major contributor to the manufacturing of protection wear for the survival of early human civilization against extreme weather conditions. Mechanized sewing witnessed developments during the middle of the 19th century, and tedious handwork was replaced by sewing machines. Despite the modernization of sewing machine technologies, speed, material thicknesses, automation, and the introduction of AI in sewing, there is a longstanding problem of heat loss along stitch lines. The sewing material is compressed by the sewing thread, and this compression results in a bridge between the human body and the external cold environment. Garment technologists identify this problem and due to the lack of any technological solution, the problem is solved through complex material handling methods. A new sewing technological solution has been developed to solve this problem, called spacer stitching, which addresses the problem of compression along stitch lines. Two baffled jackets with sewn-through methods are prepared, one with the spacer stitching technology and the other with conventional sewing. Thermal resistance and insulation efficiency are evaluated using the Thermetrics thermal manikin “Sonny” under dynamic (walking) conditions to analyze the thermal resistance difference between the two types of sewing methods as well as the effects of motion on insulation. The results reveal that the jacket made with spacer stitching demonstrates significantly higher thermal resistance and enhanced wearer comfort compared to that produced using conventional methods. Additionally, variations in thermal resistance are observed across different zones of the thermal manikin. These findings highlight the potential of spacer stitching to improve thermal insulation and revolutionize high-performance outerwear design.

Information about the paper titled "ICT IN TEXTILE AND CLOTHING HIGHER EDUCATION AND BUSINESS (ICT-TEX)" at IATED Digital Library

Sewing is one of the oldest known joining technologies and is historically used to prepare protection wear against harsh weather conditions. It remains a fundamental technique for manufacturing insulated garments, including jackets, sleeping bags, and other cold-weather apparel. Traditionally, these products are usually composed of textile fabrics and insulation materials which are joined together via sewn-through methods. While effective in securing layers of textile and insulation materials, conventional sewing techniques have an inherent limitation that is, the compression along stitch lines. This compression creates thermal bridges that allow heat to escape, reducing the overall thermal efficiency of the garment. To overcome this issue, an innovative sewing method called “ Spacer Stitching ” has been developed. Unlike conventional methods, Spacer Stitching maintains a 3D stitch structure and minimizes compression along stitch lines, preserving the insulation’s loft and enhancing thermal resistance. This study evaluates the thermal performance of jackets made using spacer stitching compared to those constructed with conventional sewn-through methods. Two identical jackets were produced, differing only in their stitching technique. To accurately measure thermal performance, an advanced thermal manikin was used under stationary conditions. The experimental results revealed that jackets made with Spacer stitching exhibited significantly higher thermal resistance than those made with conventional methods. Additionally, the spacer stitching technique minimized cold spots and maintained more consistent insulation, leading to improved overall thermal comfort. These findings demonstrate the potential of spacer stitching to revolutionize the design of insulated apparel, offering enhanced thermal efficiency and comfort for cold-weather applications.