Provstickning

Provstickning (test stitching) is a term used in Swedish textile and garment production to describe the practice of sewing one or more stitches on a fabric sample to assess stitch quality, machine settings, and overall appearance before committing to production. It is used to verify compatibility between fabric, thread, needle, and sewing equipment, and to establish optimal stitch type, length, tension, and presser-foot settings. Provstickning is common in studio development, sample making, and quality control within both small-scale and industrial contexts.

The procedure typically involves selecting a representative fabric swatch and preparing it as close to the final piece as possible. Candidate threads and needles are loaded, and several test seams are sewn, including basic straight stitches, zigzag stitches, and any specialized stitches used later in production. The tester evaluates seam strength, thread breaks, puckering or curl, stitch uniformity, and the appearance on both the front and back sides. Tension and stitch length are adjusted until the stitches sit flat and evenly. The results are documented, and recommended settings are saved for production or used to guide further tests on different fabrics or garment components.

Applications and considerations include fabric type (woven vs. knit), fabric weight, thread material, needle type, and machine capabilities. Provstickning helps predict behavior such as shrinkage, seam gape, or topstitching appearance, and it informs decisions about finishing operations and long-term durability. The practice also supports quality control by providing a verifiable record of approved settings for production runs.