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In today’s rapidly changing fashion industry, efficiency and sustainability are not just buzzwords—they are essential for success. This article spotlights a project from the “Knitting for Success” guidebook, based on a webinar hosted by Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd., leading flat knitting machine manufacturer and solutions provider. The session illustrates how digitization can streamline the knitwear design-to-production process. By using the SDS®-ONE APEX series design software and Shima Seiki’s various online services, the webinar demonstrates ways to reduce time and costs while opening new creative opportunities for designers, manufacturers, and technicians.
Table of Contents
Knitting for Success Webinar Archive Released!
We are pleased to present a webinar on the latest fashion tech, covering our new guide "Knitting for Success" which offers invaluable insights and practical tips aimed to optimize efficiency at every stage of the knitting process, including material selection, silhouette evaluation, design exploration, and knit data creation.
View the site
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Digital Product Creation with SDS®-ONE APEX Series
First and foremost, leading the charge in digital transformation are Shima Seiki’s SDS®-ONE APEX series design system and its subscription-based software, APEXFiz®.
Unlike software that simply overlay knit textures on 3D models, as an expert in knitting technology, Shima Seiki’s software simulates every stitch, resulting in ultra-realistic virtual samples. These can replace—or significantly reduce—physical prototypes, allowing teams to test designs, visualize colors and patterns, and validate feasibility before committing to materials.
This leads to faster development cycles, reduced costs, and a more sustainable approach to fashion creation.
Left : Virtual sample Right : Actual sample
Material Sourcing with yarnbank®
Material choice is foundational to any design. yarnbank®, Shima Seiki’s online yarn sourcing platform, connects designers and manufacturers with over 60 yarn suppliers worldwide, offering more than 3,000 color books. Users can search by fiber type, sustainability certifications, or functional properties, then download digital yarn data for seamless simulation with SDS®-ONE APEX series.
Because actual yarns are physically scanned and converted into digital data, users can simulate knit fabrics with remarkable accuracy. This eliminates the need for extensive physical sampling and accelerates decision-making.
For a detailed explanation of yarnbank®, refer to this article.
4 Reasons Why You Should Sign Up with the yarnbank® Digital Yarn Sourcing Web Service Today
Have you heard of yarnbank®? It's a web service that allows you to search and view yarns from all over the world. Launched in September 2020, yarnbank® is a specialized online platform for searching yarns, designed to be an invaluable digital tool for professionals involved in product planning and material sourcing in the fashion and apparel industry.
Related Article
Shima Seiki will be hosting a dedicated yarnbank® webinar from September 11 to October 1, 2025. If you're interested in learning more about the digital yarn platform and its latest features, we highly encourage you to join the session.
Spinning the Future
Cutting-Edge Yarn Innovations with yarnbank® and Material Professionals
We are pleased to present the "Spinning the Future" webinar, which delivers cutting-edge yarn innovations in three engaging sections.
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Patternmaking and 3D Simulation
Shaping patterns form the backbone of precise knitwear production. By creating patterns independent of gauge, designers can easily adapt styles to different gauges or recreate past season hits with minimal recalculation. Grading becomes more efficient, and accuracy—and quality—improve in production.
Combined with 3D fitting simulations, these patterns become a powerful decision-making and communication tool, aligning designers, technicians, and manufacturers. Shima Seiki’s SDS®-ONE APEX series supports patternmaking from basic measurements, or from pre-made 3D patterns available on SHIMA Datamall™.
SHIMA Datamall™ is an online service that allows users to search, browse and purchase a variety of useful digital data for planning, production and sales of fashion items.
You can find more information in this article.
Have you heard of SHIMA Datamall™—the game-changing digital content web service for fashion planning?
If you’re in the business of knitwear planning and design, SHIMA Datamall™ is a must-know digital tool.
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Knit Design and Color Variations
Design variety and colorways are where creativity shines. SHIMA Datamall™ offers an extensive library of stitch data, from cables to jacquards, ready for download and integration into designs. With the SDS®-ONE APEX series, users can even convert artwork or photos into stitches with precise gauge adjustments.
Color variations are just as versatile—whether created from preset palettes like PANTONE or generated from reference images. Real-Time 3D View make it easy to evaluate placement and proportions, all without incurring the costs of yarn dyeing or knitting multiple samples.
Would you like to explore a wide range of knit designs? Sign up for SHIMA Datamall™ and start discovering.
SHIMA Datamall™ is an online service that lets you search, browse, and purchase a wide range of digital data to support the planning, production, and sales of fashion items.
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From Virtual Sample to Production
Once designs are approved, the workflow transitions smoothly into production. Virtual samples made by SDS®-ONE APEX series design software can be transferred to Shima Seiki’s knit programming software, where tools like Knitting Assist and Knitting Viewer identify potential issues before knitting. These simulations allow technicians to visualize machine operations, ensuring accuracy and minimizing production risks.
In the "Knitting for Success" webinar, two common collaboration models were presented that facilitate communication between apparel brands and manufacturers:
Case 1
The apparel design team first creates a detailed virtual sample using the SDS®-ONE APEX design system, focusing on overall silhouette, styling intent, and core design elements. The manufacturing partner then reviews this data and fine-tunes aspects such as fabric density, stitch counts, and structural details based on technical expertise and available materials. After these refinements, the second virtual sample is sent back to the apparel team for review and final approval.
Case 2
The apparel team starts with a comprehensive tech pack and design instructions, including detailed drawings, measurements, and ideally knit structure codes from SDS®-ONE APEX. The manufacturer uses this information—alongside access to materials and test swatches—to produce the first virtual sample. This initial sample is reviewed by the apparel team, who may request changes. If revisions are needed, a second sample is created, and once approved, final specifications such as color variations are confirmed for production.
Implementation, Support & Next Steps
Did this give you a clearer understanding of the essential processes for smooth knitwear production?
To support smooth adoption, Shima Seiki offers two system types: a hardware-software workstation (SDS®-ONE APEX) and subscription-based APEXFiz® software that is available in a variety of configurations tailored to different business needs.
Skill development is supported by the SHIMANAVI® e-learning system and SHIMA HelpCenter customer support site. For teams ready to take the next step, integrating yarnbank®, SHIMA Datamall™, or 3D simulation into current workflows can deliver immediate impact.
You can gain even more in-depth insight by watching the “Knitting for Success” webinar. Registration is available via the following site, and by completing the post-viewing survey, you will also receive the “Knitting for Success” guidebook.
Knitting for Success Webinar Archive Released!
We are pleased to present a webinar on the latest fashion tech, covering our new guide "Knitting for Success" which offers invaluable insights and practical tips aimed to optimize efficiency at every stage of the knitting process, including material selection, silhouette evaluation, design exploration, and knit data creation.
View the site
Related Link
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