OPENINGS

• Openings are the intentional slit made on a garment to allow for easy wearing and
removing of clothes. These openings are closes in different ways as you choose or
as suits your design.
CLASSIFICATION OF OPENINGS
• Openings can be classified into two and these are:

 Opening with meeting edges

 Openings overlapping: These openings are designed in such a way that two edges of
the opening overlap. The upper part is termed as an overlap and the lower part is an
underlap
 Different Types of Openings

• Continuous wrap opening

• Bound opening

• Faced slit opening

• Box- pleat opening

• Fly- front opening

• Hem opening
 FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING OPENINGS

• Openings should be chosen with great care because they are likely to wear out
before any other parts of a garment. This is because they are being subjected to
too much strain and, are the most frequently handled part of the garment.

• The correct choice of openings resist strain and prolong the life span of the
garment. The choice and style of an opening will depend on the following:
(i) The fabric to be used: The choice of openings should be suitable to the fabric to be
used in terms of weight. For example, a bound opening is not suitable on heavy or
thick fabric.

(ii) The garment being made: Make the right choice of an opening to be applied in a
particular garment, whether it is an outer or undergarment. For example, a zip
opening is unsuitable for most undergarments.
(iii) The position of the opening on the garment: For example, faced slit opening is
suitable for neck openings of dresses but unsuitable for shorts and skirt openings. A
continuous wrap opening is suitable for the back openings of children’s garments, wrist
openings for long sleeves and for the front opening of the garment.

(iv). The type of fastener to be used: For example, button and buttonholes are not suitable
for the openings that meet edges.

(v) The desired effect to the garment: For example, if it is for functional, decorative or for
shaping the position of the garment.
• Strength of an opening: The strength of an opening depends on the following factors:

(i) The length of the opening: An opening which is too short will tear off the base of an
opening due to pulling and straining when wearing the garment. To prevent openings
from splitting, the base should be reinforced well, and the openings should be of an
adequate length.

(ii) The kind of opening: Choose the kind of opening that is strong enough for the article
to be made. Some openings are stronger than others. Therefore, when choosing an
opening consider its strength, that is, whether it will withstand heavy or light wear.

(iii) The stitching: The opening should be properly stitched and reinforced at the base
because; the base usually undergoes a lot of strain. The stitching can be smartly
visible if it is intended to be part of the design of a garment.
• Continuous wrap opening: A continuous wrap opening is a common closure for

infant and children clothing. It is usually found below the back yoke pieces to

provide a wide enough opening for easy dressing.

• Bound opening: This is used as an alternative of the faced slit opening, but it is

only suitable for thin fabrics. It is also a good choice for transparent fabrics.

• The method of making this type of opening is the same as that of making a faced

slit opening except on neatening, where a bound opening requires a narrow

crossway binding instead of a facing.

• If the opening is at the neck, the binding continues around the neck edge.

The opening can be made decorative using a fabric of contrasting colours

or a binding, which is cut from a checked or a striped fabric.

• The difference between bound opening and continuous wrap opening: A

bound opening is seen on the R.S of the garment while a continuous wrap

opening does not show on the R.S when closed. A bound opening has a strip cut

on the bias while the continuous wrap is cut with a straight strip of fabric.
• Faced slit opening is an intentional slit make on front or back neck openings. Wrist cuff
openings on long sleeves set into a band. It can also be used as decoration. Fastenings
usually used on the slit opening are loop and button, hook and eye, link and button.
 • Box- pleat opening: is a neat, decorative finish for a blouse or shirt.

• Fly- front opening- this can be found on blouses, shirts, shorts and
trousers or pant and this opening also form as decorative finish.
• Hem opening- Hemmed openings is about the simplest, but one needs to be extra
careful to avoid stretching the curves thereby giving excess. The fabric is folded in twice
and sewn. As much as it appears simple, it can go wrong if care is not taken. This type is
best used when working with sheer fabrics, delicate fabrics etc.

A placket is a finished opening in the skirt at the front

neck, or sleeve of a garment. The finish frequently
consists of a fold of fabric that is attached to the opening
for the fasteners (buttons, hooks, press studs) to be sewn
to it.
 FASTENINGS

• Fastenings are important in garment construction and making household

articles. They can be used for functional or decorative purposes to enhance
the appearance of a garment.

• Fasteners are devices for closing the opening on garments or household

articles.

• When fastenings are meant for enhancing the appearance of the garment,
different colours of fastenings should be used. Fastenings also keep the
garments in a good shape where a suitable opening is applied
• Most of the fastenings are attached to the garment on a double fabric when the opening is
completely done. Fastenings are expected to last long, as does the garment, hence they
should be correctly neatened and secured

• FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN CHOOSING FASTENINGS

•The following are the factors to be considered when choosing and attaching fastenings:

• (i) The type of a garment: Various garments and household articles require different fasteners.
For instance, buttons and buttonholes are suitable for shirts or blouses, zip fasteners for
dresses, trousers or skirts. Do not use metal fasteners on children’s clothes for safety reasons.
•(ii) The position: Choose fastenings that are well suit the position to be attached on a
garment. For example, buttons and buttonholes are suitable where edge overlap, or buttons
and loops where the edges meet.

•(iii) The type of openings: For example, buttons and buttonholes will be suitable fasteners
for openings on shirt, blouse and cuffs.

•(iv) The fabric design: For example, button and buttonholes are suitable for woven fabrics.

•(v) The style of an opening: Use small fastenings for the openings with narrow wraps.
•vi) The weight of the fabric: Use light fastenings for light weight fabrics. For instance,
ribbon for lightweight fabrics.

•(vii) The age of the wearer: Use appropriate fastenings for an appropriate age of the wearer.
Example Velcro and ribbons are suitable for children’s wear.

•(viii) The cost of the fastenings: Avoid using cheap fasteners as they cannot last long and
can spoil the appearance of the garment.
 Note: Effective ways of working on fastenings require knowledge and skills on the
choice, position and the procedures of attaching them so that they can last longer.
Rules for attaching fastenings are important as they guide you on attaching fastenings
to ensure good results. The following are the rules for attaching fastenings on a
garment:

• (i) The fastenings should be as inconspicuous as possible when attached to the garment
unless used as decoration. Choose colours that match well with the fabric of the garment
for good results.

• (ii) Fastenings must be correctly attached to the garment for the garment to drape well.
• (iii) Fastenings must be opposite to one another to ensure the opening on a garment lies
flat when closed.

• (iv) Fastenings should be attached after completing the opening except for bound
buttonholes and Rouleau loops.

• (v) Always attach fastenings on a double layer of fabric to make them strong and last
long.

• (vi) If the garment is washable, the fastenings should also be washable.

• (vii) They should be sufficient in numbers and evenly spaced to keep the opening closed.
 Types of fastenings:

• There are different types of fastenings including:

• Buttons and buttonholes,

• Press studs (snap fastenings),

• Hooks and eyes,

• Hook and bar or loops,

• Velcro,

• Rouleau loops and buttons.

• Zipper come in four different ways:
• Concealed zip
• Semi concealed zip
• decorative/ visible/ exposed zip
• Invisible zip

• The eyelet strings and ribbon

 Methods for attaching fastenings

•There are two main methods for fixing or attaching fastenings on a garment:

•(i) The conspicuous (unconcealed) methods in which the fastenings are seen to the
outer part of the garment. This method is used for functional or decorative purpose.

•(ii) The inconspicuous (concealed) method, which is invisible to the outer part of
the garment used for functional purposes only.