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What to Check on a Factory Sample

There it is: your design! It looks just how you envisioned it. You need to evaluate the sample and approve it for production. Here are all the things you should check on your samples to make sure the production order doesn’t disappoint.

Paper vs. Digital Patterns – Which Are Better?

Industry Basics, Patternmaking

Fashion is a very old-school industry. At the same time, companies are adopting technology within their design, development, and production processes – including patternmaking – more and more. This transition to digital has brought up the question whether traditional paper patterns or digital ones are better. Here’s my take.

How Far Ahead of Season Should You Be Designing?

Fashion Business, Fashion Design, How To, Industry Basics

On one hand, you want to wait as long as possible to start designing so you can make better predictions about what will sell well for the season. On the other hand, you want to give yourself enough time to get the designs made. Set your design timeline by working backwards from your release dates.

My Top Resource Recommendations to Help You Grow Your Apparel Brand This Year

Fashion Resources

Around New Year’s there is always a focus on dreaming of what’s next and making goals to get there. If one of your goals this year is to launch or grow your apparel brand, here are my top resource recommendations that will help you make it happen.

The Question I Ask Every Factory: What Do You Specialize In?

How To

Whether I’m meeting a new factory at a trade show or interviewing a factory for a client project, the one question that I always ask is ”What do you specialize in?” How they answer tells me what type of work I should send them and whether I want to work with them at all.

Does the Sample Fit?

Fit, Product Development

Fit is a big factor in the success of a garment. During the product development process, you can tweak your design to make sure the fit is perfect before it hits the sales floor. How do you know if the sample fits? I think there are three elements of good fit – size, shape, and movement.

Understanding Garment Points of Measure (POMs)

Fashion Resources, Industry Basics, Tech Design

Whether you are doing a quality control check on your production or need to help a customer find the size that is right for them, having a solid understanding of the points of measurement on a spec sheet and the how-to of measuring a garment are essential.

Who Should be Your Fit Model?

Fit, Industry Basics, Product Development, Sizing

Good fit is so important to the success of your designs. To get it right, the fit for each design needs to be tested and tweaked on a fit model during the development process. Your fit model represents your customer and is specific to your brand.

How Fabric Choice Affects Your Design

Fashion Design, Product Development

You’d be surprised how different the same design can be in different fabrics. I know this, and it still surprises me sometimes. The fabric has a big effect on the final garment. It dictates not only the look but also the fit and technical construction. Let’s look at how fabric affects each of these areas.

Why Every Small Fashion Brand Should Go to the The Fabric Shows Sourcing Show

Costing, Fashion Resources

You are missing out if you’ve never been to a The Fabric Shows (formerly DG Expo). The Fabric Shows are wholesale sourcing trade shows catering to small brands with vendors that offer low-minimums and in-stock programs. The show offers so much and here’s why I think every small fashion brand should attend.

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