Authors :
M. Madhumitha; P. Selvi; M. Santhiya; V. A. Shrimathi
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 7 - July
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/4hmcsdjh
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/2p2uucaj
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jul1250
Note : A published paper may take 4-5
working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and
ResearchGate.
Abstract :
The global fashion industry stands as one of the most environmentally damaging sectors, generating over 92
million tons of textile waste annually while less than one percent of all textiles are recycled back into clothing. This research
article examines zero waste fashion as a transformative approach to mitigating textile waste through sustainable garment
construction. Employing a comprehensive literature review methodology, the study analyzes zero waste pattern cutting
techniques, including jigsaw cutting, subtraction cutting, modular design, and the emerging Mobius Band method. The
findings reveal that zero waste fashion design can reduce pre-consumer fabric waste by approximately 35 percent, with some
implementations achieving fabric utilization efficiency up to 98 percent. The integration of digital technologies, including
AI-powered pattern optimization and 3D garment simulation, has significantly enhanced the accessibility and scalability of
zero waste techniques. Traditional garment construction methods from various cultures such as the Japanese kimono and
Indonesian kebaya offer historical precedents for zero waste principles. Despite challenges including limited design
flexibility, sizing constraints, and industry resistance, the adoption of zero waste practices is accelerating through
educational initiatives, technological innovation, and growing consumer demand for sustainable fashion. The article
concludes that zero waste fashion represents a viable pathway toward circular economy principles in the apparel industry,
offering substantial environmental benefits while maintaining aesthetic and functional quality.
Keywords :
Zero Waste Fashion, Sustainable Garment Construction, Textile Waste Reduction, Pattern Cutting, Circular Economy, Sustainable Fashion Design.
References :
- Heo, S., & Kim, S. (2025). Automatic zero-waste garment pattern generation for optimal fabric utilization. Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics. https://doi.org/10.1177/15589250251401683
- Lee, H. (2023). The dual strategy for textile and fashion production using clothing waste. Sustainability, 15, 11509.
- McQuillan, H., & Rissanen, T. (2023). Zero waste fashion design (2nd ed.). Bloomsbury.
- Niinimäki, K., Peters, G., Dahlbo, H., et al. (2020). The environmental price of fast fashion. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 1, 189–200.
- Review of zero waste pattern making techniques in building sustainable fashion. (2024). Zenodo. https://zenodo.org/records/14271896 Rissanen, T., & McQuillan, H. (2023). Zero waste fashion design. Bloomsbury.
- Rosato, L., Drews, J.-A., Tour, A., Bassereau, J.-F., & Mosse, A. (2023). Seamlessness and monomateriality in sustainable garment design: A knit/woven trouser prototype. DIID, 80. https://doi.org/10.30682/diid8023j
- Salomè, M. A. (2025). Re-imagining garment cutting waste: Fashion hacking, zero-waste, and the power of negative spaces. PLATE 2025 Conference Proceedings. https://journals.aau.dk
- Salomè, M. A. (2024). [Research on AI-powered tools and digital prototyping in fashion design].
- Sustainable fashion in Slovenia: Circular economy strategies, design processes, and regional innovation. (2025). MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com
- The sustainable fashion value proposition of companies identifying with the zero waste movement. (2025). MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com
- Use of the Mobius Band structure to challenge 2D flat origins in zero-waste pattern-making for fashion. (2025). Journal of the Textile Institute. https://doi.org/10.1080/17543266.2025.2480787
- Waste management and recovery practices in the apparel sector through a sustainable approach. (2024). OUCI.
- Zero waste fashion design: A study at the intersection of cloth, fashion design and pattern cutting. (2025). Semantic Scholar.
- Zero waste sustainable apparel industry. (2024).
The global fashion industry stands as one of the most environmentally damaging sectors, generating over 92
million tons of textile waste annually while less than one percent of all textiles are recycled back into clothing. This research
article examines zero waste fashion as a transformative approach to mitigating textile waste through sustainable garment
construction. Employing a comprehensive literature review methodology, the study analyzes zero waste pattern cutting
techniques, including jigsaw cutting, subtraction cutting, modular design, and the emerging Mobius Band method. The
findings reveal that zero waste fashion design can reduce pre-consumer fabric waste by approximately 35 percent, with some
implementations achieving fabric utilization efficiency up to 98 percent. The integration of digital technologies, including
AI-powered pattern optimization and 3D garment simulation, has significantly enhanced the accessibility and scalability of
zero waste techniques. Traditional garment construction methods from various cultures such as the Japanese kimono and
Indonesian kebaya offer historical precedents for zero waste principles. Despite challenges including limited design
flexibility, sizing constraints, and industry resistance, the adoption of zero waste practices is accelerating through
educational initiatives, technological innovation, and growing consumer demand for sustainable fashion. The article
concludes that zero waste fashion represents a viable pathway toward circular economy principles in the apparel industry,
offering substantial environmental benefits while maintaining aesthetic and functional quality.
Keywords :
Zero Waste Fashion, Sustainable Garment Construction, Textile Waste Reduction, Pattern Cutting, Circular Economy, Sustainable Fashion Design.
