It is rare that that very first sample will be 100% exactly what you wanted. So how do you relay to your patternmaker the changes you want to make? In this post, we’ll look at five things you can do to clearly communicate your desired changes even if you aren’t a technical designer.
Have you ever heard the term “production pattern” and wondered what that really meant? There are actually clear differences between just any regular pattern and one that is production-ready. Plus, there and reasons why you don’t want to (and sometimes can’t) go into production with just any pattern.
Without a plan for how your designs will make your brand money, you won’t be able to continue to share your designs with the world. The good news: there is more than one way that the products in your collection can affect your customer and your bottom line.
It seems backwards that the smaller the audience or demographic that you focus on, the more sales you’ll get, but I’ve seen it happen over and over again in my clients’ businesses and in my own. Being hyper-focused that puts you in the sweet spot where your ideal customers are waiting for you.
These brands each create thoughtful fashion that is made to fit your lifestyle and your body, and your personality! You’ll feel the personal touch, quality, and care when you wear their pieces and you’ll be supporting these small businesses, their local economies, and their families.
It is pretty obvious that you will get a pattern when you hire a patternmaker – it’s in the name. Working with a patternmaker can benefit your brand in many other ways as well. What you get when you hire a patternmaker is more than just a pattern. Here are some additional things you’ll receive.
When there are fit issues, both of the look and function are compromised in the final garment. There are certain fit issues that I see over and over and there are five I find the most egregious. The good news is that they can all be fixed with a well-fitting pattern!
As realistic as 3D has become, though, there are still things that only a physical sample can do for your brand. For these reasons, I recommend using a combination of 3D and real life samples during product development so your brand can get the best of both (digital and physical) worlds.
There isn’t one format that is the ultimate “best” tech pack format, but some might be better than others for your brand, factory, or situation. When considering what tech pack format to use, there are a few things that I look for to make sure that the format will be the best for communication.
Mixing fabrics or prints within the same garment is a fun way to add a unique twist, interesting texture, or creative design detail to your style. But, beyond patchworking a beautiful design, mixing fabrics in a way that is efficient in production and holds up to consumer use, takes some technical planning to get right.