Contract Sewing
What Are Sewing Contractors?
What Are Sewing Contractors?
A sewing contractor operates the process of attaching two pieces of specialty film or fabric by stitching them together using specialized industrial sewing machines. Custom contract sewn products that require higher stitch rates and precision utilize industrial sewing machines that can handle these requirements in high volume.
Top Sewing Contractor Services Near LA
As the leading US-based sewing contractor and custom sewing company, we often get asked why we are trusted by government, medical, aerospace, and commercial organizations and the answer is quite simple.
Our experience, state-of-the-art sewing technology, and passion for delivering quality custom contractor sewing products are unmatched. VTL specializes in engineering and product development of custom-sewn products through our contract sewing operations.
We’re always looking for the next challenge, from gas mask carrier bags to anti-gravity suits. The only things we don’t sew are clothing or garments (unless you consider a HazMat suit “clothes”). If we can do that for them, imagine what we can do for you.
Medical Sewing Contractor
The medical industry often has a high demand for custom contract sewing products:
- Doctors, nurses, and medical students from hospitals and clinics nationwide need access to PPE and proper medical attire, which requires custom sewing. Scrubs, lab coats, aprons, and hair coverings are essential equipment that must meet exact specifications for safety and effectiveness.
- Patients require medical gowns, fabric slings, medical braces, and device attachments that often require precision and customization. Positioning blocks and wedges that are padded often require medical coverings. Hospital beds need specialized sheets and mattress covers.
- Other sewn medical equipment includes ice pack wraps, restraining equipment for stretchers, sleep disorder headgear, adjustable IV cover sleeves, newborn infant caps, and hospital draw sheets.
Medical Sewing Contractor With High-Quality Standards
Medical Sewn products must be free of effects and perform as expected on demand. Even custom contract sewing medical products that are meant to be disposable still have to adhere to strict codes and guidelines.
Clothing and bedding intended for patient use often must be manufactured with special hypoallergenic materials to minimize the risk of adverse medical or allergic reactions. VTL uses cutting-edge engineering and manufacturing processes designed to ensure our medical-sewn products meet the highest quality standards for critical applications.
Custom Contract Sewing Military Projects
The US Military requires Berry-compliant and ISO-certified manufacturers and sewing contractors to produce custom contractor sewn projects. Everything from acoustic dampening blankets, anti-g suits, cargo bags, transport bags, mask carrier bags, first aid kits, and self-inflating mats, among a host of other military contract sewing products. The equipment must be durable and remain functional throughout any environmental stresses.
Examples of Other Military Contractor Sewing Projects:
- Thermal acoustical blankets
- Soft-sided cases
- Mil-spec tarps and tarpaulins
- Custom covers for beds and other applications
- Straps and harnesses
Industrial Sewing Contractor With State Of The Art Industrial Machines
With over 100 machines and the capacity to support them, we are an experienced and knowledgeable industrial sewing contractor who can meet the demand for quality industrial, medical, and military services. Our in-house capabilities include several computer-programmable sewing machines, which incorporate state-of-the-art technology and the latest methodologies for maximizing efficiency and controlling costs.
As part of our fulfillment, our clients have access to a full range of equipment that covers every kind of machine stitch type. Capabilities include heavy-duty equipment for cargo straps and leather applications, light-duty equipment for parachute fabrics and insulation blankets, and everything else in between.
Whatever your custom product requirements may be, our contractor sewing services are ready to exceed your highest expectations.
Industrial Sewing Machine Brands:
- JUKI
- Consew
- Brother
- Mitsubishi
- Eton Material Handling System
Different Types of Industrial Sewing Machines:
- Single Needle Sewing Machines
- Multi-Needle Sewing Machines
- Overlock Sewing Machines
- Cylinder Sewing Machines
- High Post Sewing Machine
- Feed-Off-The-Arm Sewing Machines
- Bar-Tack Sewing Machines
- Box-X Sewing Machines
- Programmable Sewing Machines
- Custom Sewing Machines
Advantages of Industrial Sewing Machines
In contrast to domestic sewing machines, industrial sewing machinery is designed to handle higher workloads and production runs. Industrial machines can stitch faster, provide higher quality stitching, and can work with heavier threads and materials. Household sewing machines will come equipped with a variety of stitch options, but industrial sewing machines are specialty machines that usually focus on one type of stitch or function to help preserve durability in the machine.
Industrial sewing machinery is also able to be used in custom contractor sewing operations to handle custom sewing projects where bulk units are required. For instance, in working with vinyl fabrics, a special sewing needle for vinyl is used to be able to handle heavy-duty stitching.
Military Sewing Machines:
Every military sewing machine adheres to the compliance regulations set forward by the Berry Amendment and sewing industry best practices. Military sewn products and other custom contract sewing products require certain supply chain and machinery standards including the usage of American-made sewing machines to be used for production sewing.
Commercial Sewing:
VTL is also able to serve as a commercial sewing company partner to organizations seeking custom sewing contract products in a commercial setting.
What You Get with VTL’s Contract Sewing Services
Certifications
Vinyl Technology, LLC complies with standards required by the US government and Department of Defense that include the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), STANAG 4671 and MIL-STD-6396. VTL can also fabricate products that comply with the Berry Amendment when required.
VTL’s Quality System is currently certified to AS9100D and ISO9001:2015. Since 2014, VTL has implemented LEAN Manufacturing practices, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methodologies to improve operations. VTL is an FDA-registered manufacturer of medical products.
Custom Sewing Contract Materials
VTL has been challenged with several different textiles for different applications. These are not the common garment fabrics so expertise is critical. We work with a wide range of material types including stiff coated materials, soft and stretchy, chemical resistant, fire resistant, laminated for weather resistance, and more.
Commonly used materials include:
- Mil-Spec Materials
- Polyurethane Coated Fabrics
- Vinyl Coated Fabrics
- Webbing
- Fabrics
- Netting
- Hook and Loop
- Sewing Netting Material
Our Process
Every great project starts with an idea. Whatever you can imagine, VTL can probably make it. But we need more than just an idea if we’re going to make your product for you. Before it’s time for us to step in and start making your custom contractor sewing product, you need to have a plan. If you have an AutoCAD design and/or sample, that’s a perfect first step.
Our sales team kicks things off with the Bid Opportunity Worksheet, which entails gathering all the pertinent information required to bid on your product. This includes all your drawings, specifications, materials call-outs, construction details, quantity requirements, and anything else we might need.
Once we have quoted your item, and you choose to place an order, we begin the process of engineering your product for our manufacturing methods.
Tools may be required to assist in maximizing efficiencies. We manufacture much of our tooling in-house but also have access to highly experienced outside tool makers for extremely high-end performance tooling.
First-time orders may require prototypes or first articles to assure the validity of the initial production.
Once they are approved, we can start production, which typically takes approximately 8 weeks depending on materials lead times.
Customization
Everything we do is custom. You might have specific needs, like a unique type of stitch or hems, special colors, printed on parts via silk screening or hot stamping. You might have fasteners like zippers, snaps, grommets, eyelets, hooks, and loops. Maybe you need the flame resistance of Nomex or the strength of Kevlar—wherever your products need to go, we can help you get there.
What Contractor Sewing Products Is Vinyl Technology Able to Manufacture?
VTL has worked with a variety of products including custom contract sewing bags, transfer cargo bags, self-inflating mattresses, and a variety of other sewn products.
Does VTL Partner with Other Companies?
Yes, as a leading sewing contractor and custom contract sewing company VTL can partner with other companies who have a blueprint or drawing to work with.
What Contract Sewing Services and Solutions Does VTL Offer?
- Engineering services
- Product development
- Fabrication of resources
- Integration support
- Custom project support
Is VTL Berry Compliant?
Yes, VTL is a Berry Compliant manufacturer and sewing contractor that can take on custom industrial, commercial, medical, government, and military projects. Read our blog to learn more about what it means to be Berry-compliant.