When Ron first started sourcing casualwear and button-downs, he couldn’t understand why one factory excelled at joggers but failed with woven shirts. The answer? They were a knitwear specialist. As a clothing brand owner, knowing the difference between knit and woven garment production isn’t just technical—it’s strategic.
Knit and woven garment production differ in fabric structure, machinery, production methods, and end-use functionality. Understanding these distinctions is critical for sourcing the right factory, planning lead times, and meeting product expectations.
In this article, I’ll break down the structural, technical, and logistical differences between knit and woven garment production so you can avoid costly mistakes, choose the right partners, and streamline your apparel development process.
What Is the Structural Difference Between Knit and Woven Fabrics?
The root difference between knit and woven lies in how the fabric is constructed. Knit fabrics are made by interlooping yarns, while woven fabrics are made by interlacing two sets of yarns at right angles. This simple difference affects every aspect of garment design and manufacturing.
Knit fabrics are flexible, stretchy, and breathable—ideal for casualwear and activewear. Woven fabrics are structured, crisp, and more durable—ideal for shirts, trousers, and outerwear.
This difference also determines garment fit, drape, and performance.
What Are the Mechanical Properties of Knit vs. Woven?
- Knit fabrics stretch naturally due to loops. They offer more comfort and shape retention.
- Woven fabrics resist stretch unless blended with spandex or cut on the bias. They offer better wrinkle resistance and sharper silhouettes.
Read more from Spoonflower’s knit vs. woven guide and Mood Fabrics comparison.
Which Garments Are Typically Knit or Woven?
Knit garments:
- T-shirts
- Leggings
- Sweatshirts
- Activewear
Woven garments:
- Shirts
- Dresses
- Blazers
- Denim
Choosing the wrong structure for the wrong garment can result in poor fit, discomfort, and high return rates.
How Does the Manufacturing Process Differ?
Manufacturing knit and woven garments involves different equipment, construction techniques, and skill sets. Factories often specialize in one or the other for this reason.
Knit production uses different machines, cutting patterns, stitching types, and even workforce expertise compared to woven production. Mixing them without experience risks production errors.
At Fumao, we run separate lines for woven and knitwear and assign dedicated teams to ensure quality control matches the fabric's behavior.
What Are Key Equipment Differences?
| Process | Knit Production | Woven Production |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric Source | Tubular or open-width rolls | Yardage rolls or bolts |
| Machines | Overlock, flatlock, coverstitch | Lockstitch, buttonhole, bar-tack |
| Cutting | More flexible, stretch-aware | Precise, structure-oriented |
| Stitch Type | Stretch-compatible seams | Durable, crisp construction |
See Fashion Incubator for deeper machine breakdowns.
What About Sampling and Fit?
Knit garments need test fittings for stretch impact. Even 2% spandex can change the sizing. Wovens are more stable but require sharp tailoring.
We run 2–3 size set tests for every woven order, and 1 stretch test for knits to confirm recovery and shrinkage performance.
How Do Cost, Lead Time, and MOQ Compare?
Buyers often ask: is knitwear cheaper? Is woven production slower? The answer depends on material type, factory scale, and construction complexity—but general patterns do emerge.
Knit production tends to be faster and lower MOQ, while woven garments often cost more due to complex detailing and fabric finishing. Lead time for wovens is usually longer.
Here's a quick comparison:
| Factor | Knit Garments | Woven Garments |
|---|---|---|
| Sampling Lead Time | 5–10 days | 7–14 days |
| Production Time | 20–30 days | 30–45 days |
| MOQ | 300–500 pcs/style | 500–800 pcs/style |
| Cost (avg) | Lower for basics | Higher for shirts/blazers |
Visit Apparel Resources for more pricing benchmarks.
Can Blended Fabrics Alter These Dynamics?
Yes. Cotton-spandex, modal blends, or stretch denim can combine knit and woven properties. But they still follow the base fabric’s core behavior during production.
Always specify blend percentage, GSM, and expected stretch recovery in your tech pack.
How Should You Choose the Right Factory for Each?
Many buyers choose the wrong factory simply because they offer “everything.” But real excellence comes from focused expertise. Don’t send woven shirts to a factory that specializes in fleece joggers—and vice versa.
Choose a factory based on its core strengths, machinery, QC track record, and case studies aligned with your product category. For hybrid brands, find full-package manufacturers with vertical lines.
We operate dual knit/woven lines under one roof—helping clients like Ron source both polos and poplins without managing two factories.
What Should You Ask a Factory Before Placing Orders?
- “How many styles of knit/woven have you produced in the last year?”
- “Can you show stitch samples for overlock vs. topstitch?”
- “Do you use separate production teams for each category?”
- “What is your standard lead time for each fabric type?”
Use factory checklists from Common Objective to vet properly.
Can One Factory Do Both?
Yes, but only if they have:
- Separate cutting/sewing teams
- Dedicated QC per line
- Appropriate machines (coverstitch + lockstitch)
- Patternmakers with dual-fabric experience
We’ve built our lines this way to support lifestyle brands that need mixed-category product development with uniform quality.
Conclusion
Knit vs. woven isn’t just a technical distinction—it’s a sourcing strategy. By understanding the structural, manufacturing, and commercial differences between these fabric types, you can choose better partners, plan accurate timelines, and create products your customers love.
At Fumao, we support both knit and woven apparel production with dedicated teams, dual equipment lines, and sample-led development for consistent quality. Whether you're launching a cotton tee or a linen shirt, we ensure the fabric matches the fit and the factory matches the job.
Let’s bring your apparel collection to life—one stitch at a time, on the right machine.
