Blog

How Fabric Choice Affects Your Design

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.

What Your Patternmaker Will Ask at Your First Meeting and Why

Costing, Patternmaking

You may be wondering what you can expect at your first meeting with your patternmaker. At the meeting, your patternmaker will need to ask you questions about your design and business. Here are some questions your patternmaker will ask and why the answers are important to the success of your design.

What to Watch for When Designing Printed Apparel

Fashion Design, Product Development, Textile Print

The right print can make a garment a showstopper. Designing printed apparel isn’t as easy as picking out a print and having the fabric made into your garment though. There are things to watch out for to make sure the print flatters your design and the wearer as well as stays within your budget.

What’s in an Apparel Tech Pack (for You)? – Sample Comments

Fit, Industry Basics, Tech Design

The final section in a tech pack is for sample comments. Each sample gets its own page. When you receive a sample, write down the sample measurements as well as any changes made to the style. Keep track of what decisions were made and what the next steps for the style are.

What’s in an Apparel Tech Pack (for You)? – Spec Sheet

Industry Basics, Sizing, Tech Design

The spec sheet is an important part of the tech pack that shows what the style measures at each POM in all the sizes offered. The chart also shows the tolerance for those measurements – meaning the amount plus or minus that the garment can differ from the spec measurement and still be considered acceptable.

What’s in an Apparel Tech Pack (for You)? – Pattern Card

Industry Basics, Patternmaking, Tech Design

The pattern card lists each pattern piece for the style along with how many of each is needed to make one garment. It is split into sections by material type. Note, this page doesn’t show all the materials needed like the BOM does. This page only shows pattern pieces that need to be cut out.

What’s in an Apparel Tech Pack (for You)? – Colorways and Art

Industry Basics, Tech Design, Textile Print

Colorways and artwork specifications are another important section of a tech pack. The colorways page shows a CAD drawing of each color combination being offered for that season. Along with the drawings, there are color chips showing the color of each material in the style – including fabrics, thread, and hardware.

What’s in an Apparel Tech Pack (for You)? – Technical Sketches and Construction

Industry Basics, Tech Design

The technical section of a tech pack communicates how the garment is constructed. It will always include a tech sketch which is the flat sketch from the cover page with seam, stitch, and detail callouts. Some details will have alternate views such as the sides or inside showing how those details should be constructed.

What’s in an Apparel Tech Pack (for You)? – Bill of Materials