Unstitched suits · 8 October 2026 · 4 min read
Front, back and sleeves on one length: how it is cut
An unstitched shirt piece often has the front, back and sleeves printed end to end, with border strips beside them. How the layout works and why to send it uncut.
InspirationSections printed end to end
On many printed lawn shirt pieces, the front, the back and the sleeves are printed one after another along a single length of cloth, each with its own design, and narrow border strips may run alongside or across one end. Every section is sized for an average kameez. That is why the piece is best sent whole and uncut: the cutter needs the full layout to fit it to your measurements.
Some brands cut the sections apart before packing and list them separately, for example a printed front, a printed back and printed sleeves. Others leave one continuous shirt length. The label usually says which, as explained in how to read an unstitched suit label.
What usually sits where
Layouts differ from one brand and season to the next, but most follow a similar order.
- Front: the busiest section, with a placement print, often a neckline design at the top and a hem pattern at the bottom.
- Back: a quieter version of the front, usually with a matching hem pattern so the daman lines up at the side seams.
- Sleeves: two sleeve sections, often printed side by side across the width, each with a matching cuff design at the bottom.
- Border strips: narrow printed bands, along one selvedge or across an end, meant for the daman, the sleeve ends or the neckline.
Finding where one section ends
Look along the length in daylight. The change from one section to the next is usually marked by a sudden change in the print, a short plain gap, or a printed line or small marks along the selvedge. A hem pattern ending and a new design starting just after it is a reliable sign. On lawn the print often shows through faintly on the back, which helps you trace the boundary.
Do not trust a printed boundary as a cutting line on its own. It shows where the design changes, not necessarily where the seam allowance ends, and a cut exactly on it can leave a section too small to sew.
Why it should arrive whole
The tailor plans the cut around your own measurements and the design you have chosen, and the plan often crosses the printed boundaries.
- A longer kameez may need a little of the space between the front and the sleeve sections.
- The hem pattern may need to sit higher or lower than printed for your height.
- If the cloth is tight, the border strips and plain gaps are where extra length or a facing comes from; see what to do if your suit is short of fabric.
- Small offcuts become piping or facings, which only works if nothing has been thrown away.
If the pieces came separate
Keep every piece exactly as it came, including any borders or neckline pieces, and do not trim the edges. Put a note on each one saying what it is if the label has gone. Our guide on using neckline pieces and borders from a pack shows where the extra pieces usually go.
With Stitching Only, send photos of the whole length or of each piece laid flat with your Stitching Only quote. We confirm that the fabric is suitable and how it will be cut before you post it, and making takes 5 to 7 working days once it has arrived and the quote is paid.
Common questions
Can the back section be used as the front?
Sometimes, if you prefer the quieter print, but the neckline and hem designs on the front are usually placed for the front. Mention it in your quote request and we say whether the layout allows it.
Should I cut off the border strip to use it elsewhere?
No. Leave it attached and say where you would like it used. Cutting it yourself can take away fabric the main pieces need.
What if I want a kameez longer than the printed front?
Length can sometimes be added with a border strip or a plain band at the hem. We confirm what is possible on your fabric in the written quote.
