Archives: Patternmaking category

When Stretchy Fabric Is Great For Your Design (And When Stretch Fabric Might NOT Be A Good Choice)

Fashion Design, Patternmaking, Product Development

People love stretchy fabric. It is easy to live in stretchy loungewear. But should stretch fabric be the go-to for all fashion? There are plenty of ways stretch fabric can benefit your design, but I think there are times when stretch fabric isn’t the best choice.

7 Ways Your Pattern Needs To Be Drafted To Move

Fit, Patternmaking

Think about your favorite pieces of clothing. They probably are the ones that don’t hold you back from any of the activities throughout your day. This is why drafting patterns and fit testing for movement is so crucial. Here are seven ways that the pattern and resulting garment need to move.

Developing Styles With A Patternmaker Or A Factory – Which Is Right For You?

Patternmaking, Product Development

There are multiple ways you can develop custom apparel products for your brand – working directly with a patternmaker or working with a factory on development. Each has its advantages and drawbacks and which is right for you depends on how you like to work and what factors are the most important to you.

Types of Fabric Shrinkage and How To Manage Them

How To, Industry Basics, Patternmaking

You don’t want any unwanted surprises in production and your customer doesn’t want any unwanted surprises the first time they pull the garment out of the clean laundry basket. To know what shrinkage to expect and how to manage it in production and beyond, testing your fabrics for the different types of shrinkage is essential.

Moving Your Apparel Production Stateside

Fashion Business, How To, Patternmaking, Product Development

High shipping costs, longer freight times, and rising tariffs have made moving production to the USA a competitive option for some brands. With any big logistics shift, the switch can bring some new challenges. If you are considering moving your production to the States, here are four things to prepare for to make the transition.

What A Cut & Sew Factory Will Need To Make Your Design

How To, Industry Basics, Patternmaking, Product Development, Tech Design

Finding the right factory for your brand is often not a quick and easy process, so it helps if you are prepared. While each factory has their specialties and ways of working, there are certain things that all cut & sew factories will need from you in order to make your design successfully.

Are Plus Sizes Actually Harder To Fit?

Fashion Design, Fit, Patternmaking, Sizing

In the fashion industry or not, it seems like the assumption is that plus sizes are harder to fit. But, is it actually true that plus sizes are harder to fit or has our society spent so much of its attention dressing thin people that it has made us wary of dressing larger bodies?

What It Means To Have Production-Ready Patterns

Industry Basics, Patternmaking

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.

What You Really Get When You Hire A Patternmaker (It’s More Than Just A Pattern)

Costing, Industry Basics, Patternmaking, Product Development

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.

As A Patternmaker, These Are My 5 Biggest Fit Pet Peeves