Cut and Sew Service | Since 1998 | AQL 2.5 Quality
Cut and Sew Service for Fashion Brands and Wholesalers
Cut and Sew (CMT) is the construction stage of garment manufacturing | taking your fabric and turning it into finished garments. You supply the fabric, we cut, sew, and trim. SDF Clothing, a full-service clothing manufacturer, handles cut and sew for knit and woven garments from 5,000 pieces per style with AQL 2.5 quality inspection on every order. Most brands starting out are better served by our full-package production, which starts at 300 pieces per style because we source and control the fabric ourselves.
What Is Cut and Sew Service?
Cut and Sew (also called CMT | Cut, Make, Trim) is when you provide the fabric and the factory only handles construction. The factory cuts your fabric to pattern, sews the garments together, and adds finishing trims like labels and tags. You retain full control over your fabric supply chain while outsourcing labor-intensive production.
This is different from full-package manufacturing where the factory handles everything from fabric sourcing to finished garments. Cut and sew gives experienced brands maximum control over materials.
Who Should Use Cut and Sew Service?
Cut and sew is ideal for:
- ✓ Established fashion brands with their own fabric suppliers
- ✓ Brands working with specialty mills for unique fabrics
- ✓ Wholesalers buying mill-direct fabric in large quantities
- ✓ Sustainable brands using specific certified fabric sources
- ✓ Brands with proprietary fabric developments
- ✓ Small-batch production where full-package MOQ is too high
For first-time brand owners without fabric suppliers, full-package OEM service is usually a better starting point. Once you have established fabric relationships, switching to CMT often reduces per-piece cost by 15-25%.
Our Cut and Sew Capabilities
Garment Types We Construct
- ✓ T-shirts, polos, henleys (knit basics)
- ✓ Hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers (knit fleece)
- ✓ Activewear and performance garments
- ✓ Dress shirts, casual shirts (woven)
- ✓ Trousers, chinos, shorts (woven)
- ✓ Dresses, skirts, blouses (woven and knit)
- ✓ Jackets, coats, outerwear (woven)
- ✓ Underwear, sleepwear, loungewear
Construction Techniques
- ✓ Single needle, double needle, triple needle stitching
- ✓ Flatlock seams for activewear
- ✓ Coverstitch for hems and necklines
- ✓ Bartack reinforcement at stress points
- ✓ Felled seams for premium denim and shirts
- ✓ Bound seams for clean inside finish
- ✓ French seams for premium silk and lightweight fabrics
Equipment in Our Cut and Sew Facility
- ✓ Computerized fabric cutting (CAD-controlled)
- ✓ Manual cutting tables for small runs
- ✓ 800+ industrial sewing machines
- ✓ Specialty machines for collars, cuffs, button attachment
- ✓ Buttonhole machines
- ✓ Embroidery and printing capability in-house
- ✓ Quality inspection stations at every line
Our Cut and Sew Process
Step 1
Fabric receiving
Your fabric arrives at our facility. We inspect for quantity, quality, and any defects. Defective fabric is returned to your supplier; usable fabric is moved to cutting room.
Step 2
Pattern grading and marker making
Your patterns are graded across all sizes and arranged in a marker (cutting layout) optimized for minimum fabric waste. Computerized markers achieve 88-92% fabric efficiency.
Step 3
Cutting
Fabric is laid in multiple plies (typically 50-200 plies) and cut using computerized cutting machines or manual rotary cutters for small runs. Pattern accuracy is checked on first cut.
Step 4
Bundling
Cut pieces are bundled by size and color and prepared for sewing line. Bundles include all components (front, back, sleeves, collar, etc.) for one garment.
Step 5
Sewing
Sewing operators construct garments along production lines. Each operator handles one specific operation (joining shoulders, attaching sleeves, hemming, etc.) for maximum efficiency.
Step 6
In-line quality checks
Every sewing line has quality checkers monitoring construction at multiple stations. Defects are caught and corrected immediately rather than at end of line.
Step 7
Finishing and trimming
Loose threads trimmed, garments pressed, labels and hang tags attached, garments folded or hung for packing.
Step 8
Final AQL inspection
Statistical sample inspection following AQL 2.5 standard. Acceptable defect rate is maximum 2.5% | our actual rejection rate runs below 0.8%.
Step 9
Packing and shipping
Approved garments packed in poly bags and master cartons per your specification. Export documentation prepared. Ready for collection or delivery to freight forwarder.
Cut and Sew MOQ | Minimum Order Quantity
Our CMT minimum is 5,000 pieces per style, across every garment category — knit, woven, or complex construction. That floor is higher than our full-package MOQ of 300 pieces, and deliberately so:
When we source the fabric ourselves (full-package), we control the mill, the dye lot, and the fabric quality from the start, so we can commit to a small first run with confidence. On a CMT order, we are cutting and sewing fabric we did not select or inspect at the mill, so a small run carries more quality risk relative to the setup cost. The 5,000-piece minimum reflects that risk, not a lack of capability at smaller volumes.
If you are a new or growing brand placing your first order, full-package production at 300 pieces per style is almost always the better fit — see our full manufacturing services. CMT at 5,000 pieces suits an established brand with its own fabric supply chain already in place, typically reordering a proven style at volume.
Cut and Sew Pricing in Bangladesh
Cut and sew is priced per piece based on garment complexity, not per kilogram of fabric. Pricing reflects labor time required for construction.
Typical FOB Bangladesh cut and sew pricing for 500-piece orders:
- ✓ Basic t-shirt (single jersey): $0.80-1.40 per piece CMT
- ✓ Polo shirt with pique fabric: $1.40-2.20 per piece CMT
- ✓ Pullover hoodie (french terry): $2.50-4.00 per piece CMT
- ✓ Dress shirt (woven, multiple buttons): $2.80-4.50 per piece CMT
- ✓ Tailored trousers: $3.50-5.50 per piece CMT
- ✓ Bomber jacket: $5.00-8.50 per piece CMT
These are CMT-only prices | your fabric cost is separate. CMT prices typically run 30-50% lower than equivalent full-package pricing where fabric is included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send fabric from any supplier?
Yes. We accept fabric from any mill or supplier you choose. Fabric is inspected on arrival for quality and quantity. We notify you of any defects before cutting begins.
What is the minimum cut and sew order?
5,000 pieces per style for CMT, across every garment category. That is higher than our 300-piece full-package minimum because we are cutting and sewing fabric we did not source or inspect ourselves — the higher floor offsets that added quality risk on a smaller run. Most new brands are better served by full-package production at 300 pieces.
How long does cut and sew production take?
Standard knit garments: 25-35 days from fabric receipt. Woven garments: 30-40 days. Complex constructions: 40-50 days. Sample making before bulk: 7-14 days.
Do you provide labels and packaging?
We attach labels and hang tags you supply, or we can source them through our trims sourcing service. Standard polybag packaging is included. Custom packaging available.
Can you handle quality inspection on my behalf?
Yes. We follow AQL 2.5 standard internally on every order. Third-party inspection by SGS, Bureau Veritas, or Intertek is also available at additional cost if you require independent verification.
What payment terms apply?
Standard 30% deposit on order confirmation, 70% balance before shipment. For established repeat clients we offer letter of credit and net 30 payment options.
Need professional cut and sew production for your fashion brand? Contact SDF Clothing here with your fabric specifications, garment type, and quantity. We will send pricing, lead time, and capacity confirmation within 48 hours. From 5,000 pieces minimum for CMT; from 300 pieces if you'd like us to source the fabric.
For complete production strategy, read our complete clothing manufacturers guide.
Related Services
Why Partner with SDF Clothing?
Cutting and sewing both happen on our own floor, sequentially in the same building, rather than being split between a separate cutting contractor and a separate sewing subcontractor the way some factories operate. That continuity keeps fabric utilization and construction quality consistent from the first piece to the last. GOTS, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, BSCI, WRAP, and ISO 9001 certification cover the facility.
Marker efficiency — how tightly pattern pieces are laid out on fabric before cutting — directly affects your per-unit fabric cost, and it's something we optimize in-house rather than outsourcing to a separate pattern service. Minimum order for CMT is 5,000 pieces per style, with pattern grading, cutting, sewing, quality inspection, and export documentation included.
Cut-and-sew programs sourced from Bangladesh keep the same trade position as our broader range: EU duty-free access under Everything But Arms through November 2029 despite LDC graduation in November 2026, and a 20% cap on US tariffs from late 2025 that limits exposure versus Chinese-made alternatives facing Section 301 duties.
Ready to start? Request a sample or contact our team for a detailed FOB quote within 48 hours.
Shipping to the US, UK and Australia
| United States | United Kingdom | Australia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duty | MFN + any extra tariff — we confirm current HTS rate | Often 0% under DCTS | Often 0%/low under LDC |
| Quote | USD FOB | GBP FOB | AUD FOB |
| Transit (sea) | 28–40 days | 25–35 days | 20–30 days |
| Labels | Care + RN; CPSIA if kids | GPSR + fibre content | ACL care label |
Made in our Dhaka factory for US, UK and Australian brands. US · UK · Australia