At Work continued

Button and buttonhole sewing in the Sekem Knitting Factory.

The rolls of fabric, having been subjected to a finishing process, are taken to the cutting table, where they are unrolled, and examined for faults. The fabric is then laid out, several thicknesses deep, marked for patterns, and cut out with a circular electric cutter.

The flat bar knitting machine depicted, is fully automatic and is used mainly for making ladies' cardigans and twin-sets. Whereas the circular machines produce tubular fabric in a continuous roll, this one makes short lengths in a single thickness. Starting at the bottom of the garment, it knits the rib band, changes to plain or patterned fabric for the body of the garment, then, having knitted the required length, it inserts a separating thread, and proceeds to knit the next rib band.

After leaving the cutting table, the bundles of fabric pass through the various machining operations, where they commence to assume their ultimate shape. Rib bands, which have been knitted on separate machines are sewn on, seams are overlocked and covered, and the fabric gradually becomes a garment.

The next operation is steam pressing. The garments are pinned to the front table, or 'buck' of the press ; the table is then rotated until it is beneath the top buck. The bottom buck then rises, dampening the garment with steam and pressing and drying it. Whilst this is taking place, the operator is free to pin out the next garment.