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The Ministry of Supply, an apparel company founded at MIT, and the Self Assembly Lab at MIT have created a novel system called Active Textile Tailoring. In response to heat and moisture, the fibers in an entirely new method for “smart” textiles alter their structure and shape, opening up a whole new realm of fit and style personalization. This technique was created in partnership with MIT’s Self-Assembly Lab, the Mechanosynthesis group at MIT, Ministry of Supply, Hills Inc. and Iowa State, and with support from the federal non-profit Advanced Functional Fibers of America (AFFOA).
Conventional garment construction typically involves a designer creating a 2D pattern, which is then cut and sewn from 2D fabric, resulting in excess waste, higher costs and labor, as well as bulky seams that may not conform to the human body. Recent advancements in 3D knitting – similar to 3D printing – have enabled fabric variations and consistent 3D shaping; however, the ability to customize the fit of knitted garments to accommodate individual body shapes or personal styles has yet to be achieved.
The 4D Knit Dress integrates multiple technologies, including heat-reactive yarns, computerized knitting, and 6-axis robotic manipulation to develop a garment that is sculpted for a tailored fit or a distinct style. Heat-reactive yarns are woven into a unique knitting structure, allowing for controlled transformation while preserving softness, stretch, and durability. By utilizing an efficient tubular knitting method, a 6-axis robotic arm commonly found in the automotive industry selectively heats specific regions to alter the fabric, emulating the traditional dressmaking technique of pinning and tucking , to dynamically adjust the dress for an ideal fit or a customized appearance.
