3D Garment Design and Virtual Prototyping as Tools for Sustainable Clothing Production

This study examined 3D garment design and virtual prototyping as tools for sustainable clothing production among fashion designers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study established the perceived effectiveness of 3D garment design in improving pattern accuracy and reducing material waste, evaluated the perceived contribution of virtual prototyping to reducing reliance on physical garment sampling, and determined the perceived contribution of 3D garment design and virtual prototyping to sustainable clothing production. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population of the study comprised 1,625 fashion designers in Nasarawa State, from which a sample of 120 respondents was purposively selected. The respondents were practicing fashion designers whose activities involved garment design and production. Data were collected using a researcher-developed 3D Garment Design and Virtual Prototyping Questionnaire (3DGPQ), which was validated by three experts. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, with a criterion mean of 3.00 for decision-making. Tailornova was presented as an illustration of a digital platform for 3D garment design and virtual prototyping rather than as an experimentally evaluated intervention. Findings showed that respondents agreed that 3D garment design contributes to improved pattern accuracy and reduced material waste, with mean scores ranging from 3.29 to 3.45 and a grand mean of 3.38. Respondents also agreed that virtual prototyping contributes to reducing reliance on physical garment sampling, improving garment fitting and design adjustments, reducing repeated sewing of garment samples, and supporting more efficient garment development, with mean scores ranging from 3.33 to 3.44 and a grand mean of 3.39. Respondents perceived 3D garment design and virtual prototyping as contributing to sustainable clothing production through efficient use of production resources, improved production workflow, reduced production time, and improved production efficiency, with mean scores ranging from 3.35 to 3.42 and a grand mean of 3.39. These findings represent respondents’ perceptions and not direct measurements of material savings, sampling reduction, production efficiency, or sustainability performance. In conclusion, 3D garment design and virtual prototyping are perceived as useful digital approaches for improving garment development and supporting sustainable clothing production. It recommends increased adoption of digital garment technologies by fashion designers, practical training and capacity development, integration of these technologies into clothing and textile education, and institutional support for improved access to relevant digital infrastructure.