The use of fabric layering techniques, also known as “draping” or “draping on the stand” is a fundamental step in garment production. It is the process of arranging and pinning fabric on a mannequin, called a “stand,” to create the desired shape and design of a garment.
Draping has a lot of advantages in the production process. It allows for a more intuitive and efficient way of creating a garment design and it also helps to reduce the amount of fabric waste. The technique is especially useful for creating intricate designs, such as asymmetric hemlines, ruffles, and other complex fabric manipulations. This is due to the ability of draping to physically manipulate the fabric on the stand to create the desired shape.
The process begins with selecting the appropriate fabric, and then cutting and pinning the fabric onto the stand. The designer will then manipulate the fabric to create the desired shape and design of the garment. This includes determining the placement of darts, seams, and other design elements. Once the draping is completed, the garment is then cut and sewn together.
However, draping also has its downsides. It is a time-consuming process, especially for large-scale production, and it requires a lot of skill and experience from the designer to execute effectively. Additionally, there is also a potential for error during the draping process, which can lead to wasted fabric and time.