Your t-shirt will have no more secrets for you
T-shirts are attractive, durable, and versatile garments that can be worn as outerwear or underwear. You certainly wear them for your yoga sessions.
Since their creation in 1920, T-shirts have evolved into a multi-billion-euro market.
T-shirts are available in a variety of colors, patterns, and styles, such as standard crew neck and V-neck, as well as tank tops and scoop necks.
T-shirt sleeves can be short or long, cap, set-in, or raglan. Additional features include pockets and decorative trim.
T-shirts are also popular garments for displaying one's interests, tastes, and way of thinking with personalized screen prints or heat transfers.
In this article, we focused on cotton T-shirts. We will reveal all their secrets.
Next time you put on your T-shirt before your yoga session, you'll know all about this essential garment.
Raw materials used in T-shirt manufacturing
The majority of T-shirts are made of 100% cotton, polyester, or a cotton/polyester blend. Environmentally conscious manufacturers may use organic cotton and natural dyes (like yofe for example...).
Stretchy T-shirts are made from knitted fabrics, particularly jerseys, ribbed knits, and interlock ribbed knits, which consist of two ribbed fabrics joined together.
Cotton spinning, a crucial step for your T-shirt's quality
There are several ways to spin yarn, but the most common spinning methods for cotton intended for T-shirt manufacturing are open-end spinning, ring spinning, or compact spinning.
Open-End Spinning
Open-end spinning, also known as rotor spinning or break spinning, is a technology developed to create yarn without using a spindle.
The sliver from the carding process enters the rotor, where the rotor's action twists it into yarn, which is continuously pulled out of the chamber and wound onto a bobbin.
Open-end spinning is limited to producing thicker or coarser yarns. The yarns are hairier, and the fabric will be more prone to pilling, so it's not a good method for making quality textiles.
Ring Spinning
This is the oldest system and is based on original spinning methods. Ring spinning is a continuous process where fibers are twisted and attenuated to create a fine strand of cotton fibers. The more the fiber is twisted, the softer the fabric will be.
It operates using a pressed steel ring frame. Spindles are placed on each side of the frame, while drafting rollers are positioned above them with a creel loaded with bobbins of what is called roving (unspun yarn).
Ring spinning is not used as much in production as open-end systems, but it still produces a higher quality yarn.
The yarns are fine and smoother, more durable, and much less hairy than open-end yarn. However, due to the additional steps involved in roving and winding the yarn and the slower production rate, it is much more expensive to produce yarn by this method.
Compact Spinning
Compact spinning is a modern method that involves condensing fibers together using air suction to create a more optimal integration into the yarn body.
The air suction pulls the fibers into the yarn, giving it softness and strength. The yarn is then tightly twisted.
Because the fibers are tightly drawn into the yarn, good quality yarns can be produced from short-staple cotton as no fibers protrude. Another advantage is that the yarn can be produced at a higher speed than ring spinning.
T-shirt elements
The T-shirt collar
Necklines add support to the garment and give the T-shirt a more finished look. Neckbands are typically 1x1 ribbed knits, although thicker fabrics or higher quality T-shirts may require 2x2 ribbed knits.
Neckband fabrics can be tubular ribbed knits of specific widths or flat fabrics that need to be sewn.
Other T-shirt materials include tape or seams, in twill or another rigid fabric.
Binding reinforces the neckline and shoulder seams and protects them from tearing under tension. Alternatively, elastic can be used at the shoulder seams so they remain flexible.
The sewing thread
Thread is, of course, an essential element in sewing any garment. Several types and colors of thread can be used to make a single T-shirt.
Some manufacturers use white thread for the seams of all their T-shirts, regardless of color, thereby eliminating the extra work involved in changing thread. Visible topstitching is done with a thread color that blends with the fabric.
Colorless or monofilament thread can be used for hems of any colored fabric, again eliminating the need to change thread often, although monofilament thread can irritate the skin somewhat.
The manufacturing process
Making T-shirts is a fairly simple and largely automated process. Specially designed machines integrate cutting, assembly, and sewing for the most efficient operations.
The most common seams used for T-shirts are narrow, overlapping seams, which are typically made by placing one piece of fabric over another and aligning the seam edges.
These seams are often sewn with an overlock stitch, which requires one needle thread from the top and two looper threads from the bottom. This particular combination of seam and stitch results in a flexible finished seam.
Another type of seam that can be used for T-shirts are bound seams, where a narrow piece of fabric is folded around a seam, such as at the neckline.
These seams can be sewn together using a lockstitch, chain stitch, or overlock stitch. Depending on the style of the T-shirt, the order in which the garment is assembled may vary slightly.
Quality control
Most garment manufacturing operations are governed by federal and international guidelines.
Manufacturers can also establish company-specific guidelines. There are standards that apply specifically to the T-shirt industry, which include proper sizing and fit, appropriate needles and seams, stitch types, and stitches per inch.
Stitches must be loose enough to allow the garment to stretch without causing the seam to break. Hems must be flat and wide enough to prevent puckering.
T-shirts must also be inspected for proper application of necklines, which should lie flat against the body. The neckline must also recover properly after being slightly stretched.
Yofe Yoga T-shirts
We have selected for you a wide range of yoga t-shirts that you can also wear outside of your workouts.
- Triblend casual t-shirt: this t-shirt is made of 50% polyester, 25% combed and ring-spun cotton, 25% rayon.
- Organic cotton t-shirt: made of 100% organic ring-spun cotton, this is a lightweight yoga t-shirt.
- Women's T-shirt: made of 100% combed and ring-spun cotton, this t-shirt is lightweight.
- Tank top: with a single jersey weave, this 100% organic ring-spun and combed cotton yoga t-shirt is very comfortable to wear.
Beyond manufacturing, there is also the entire environmental aspect.
Whether it's the sourcing of raw materials or working conditions... These points must be taken into account to be an eco-responsible brand.
YOFE products are OEKO TEX 100 and GOTS certified. For inks, we use vegan and non-toxic water-based inks (CPSIA).
Our selection
Yoga t-shirts that reflect you ✨
GOTS certified organic cotton — wearable for yoga and everyday life.
Among our bestsellers: the Yoga Saved My Life T-shirt, the Yoga Is Love California T-shirt or the Y logo organic cotton T-shirt.
If you're looking for tips on how to choose your yoga leggings, YOFE offers an article to help you: how to choose your yoga leggings.
