Archives: Industry Basics category

Common Mistakes Fashion Start-ups Make – And How To Avoid Them

Costing, Fashion Business, Fashion Design, Industry Basics, Product Development

When doing anything for the first time – including starting a fashion brand, it is inevitable that mistakes can be made. But, many mistakes can be avoided. These are the four most common mistakes I’ve seen new brands make and what you can learn from those mistakes in order to avoid them in your business.

Fashion Designer Who Can’t Sew? Here’s What You Need To Know

Fashion Design, How To, Industry Basics

Watching fashion reality TV, you might think that every designer knows how to sit behind a sewing machine and whip up an outfit. In reality, though, many designers don’t or can’t sew at all. There are some things that are important for every designer to know – especially if you don’t know how to sew.

Can You Make Digital Patterns In Adobe Illustrator?

Industry Basics, Patternmaking, Product Development

With Illustrator being so widely used and accessible and traditional patternmaking software being so cost prohibitive, you might wonder if you can just make patterns in Illustrator. The short answer is, yes, you can. However, depending on your goals and how you will be using the patterns in your business, you might not want to.

6 Questions Every Fashion Business Owner Should Be Prepared To Answer

Fashion Business, Industry Basics

Starting your own fashion business involves many steps. You as the founder have to make the decisions to move your business towards your goals. But even before you start working through the spreadsheets, sticky notes, voice memos, or whichever method you use to track your to-dos, there are some questions you need to answer first.

How Long It Really Takes To Launch Your First Collection

Fashion Business, How To, Industry Basics, Product Development

Whatever prompted you to start this business and however eager you are to get your design ideas out into the world, you need a realistic timeline for developing your collection so you can plan your launch. Getting a first collection ready to launch may take longer than you think.

Why Quality Patterns Matter In Production

Industry Basics, Patternmaking, Product Development

In general, I think that when people think of quality production, they think of quality sewing. While this is certainly true, it is what’s upstream of the sewing – like the pattern – that has the most control over the quality of the finished garment.

5 Ways to Use Reference Samples

How To, Industry Basics, Product Development

Throughout product development and production, you’re going to be communicating with many different people. Clothing is very physical and visual, so having reference samples to look at during these conversations will keep everyone on the same page. So, what exactly can you use reference samples for?

Should You Start Your Brand By Making Pattern Blocks?

Fashion Business, Fit, How To, Industry Basics, Patternmaking, Product Development

I often get asked “should I make pattern blocks for each category before developing and launching my collection?” Blocks and slopers are what we all were taught to start with in fashion. However, I recommend a different approach that gets you testing your market quicker and is more efficient for future development.

Starting With A Finished Sample Doesn’t Make Pattern Development Cheaper

Industry Basics, Patternmaking, Product Development

With a finished sample already approved, having a pattern made for the garment will be simple and cheap, right? Actually, no, that is most likely not the case. Having a finished sample is great for reference, but isn’t going to save you much money when it comes to getting a production pattern made.

How Fabrics Are Measured In The Fashion Industry

How To, Industry Basics

Measurements are found all over within the fashion industry and fabrics are no exception. Whether you are looking at a Bill of Materials, ordering fabric or swatches online, or doing some fabric testing, understanding how fabrics are measured and listed will help you make the best choices regarding your fabric.

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Archives: Industry Basics category

Common Mistakes Fashion Start-ups Make – And How To Avoid Them

Fashion Designer Who Can’t Sew? Here’s What You Need To Know

Can You Make Digital Patterns In Adobe Illustrator?

6 Questions Every Fashion Business Owner Should Be Prepared To Answer

How Long It Really Takes To Launch Your First Collection

Why Quality Patterns Matter In Production

5 Ways to Use Reference Samples

Should You Start Your Brand By Making Pattern Blocks?

Starting With A Finished Sample Doesn’t Make Pattern Development Cheaper

How Fabrics Are Measured In The Fashion Industry