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.
In fashion and especially during product development, we talk alot about fit and making sure designs fit well. We all agree that fit is important and can make or break the success of a design, but what even is a good fit? And, how do you know when you’ve achieved it?
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.
Size charts, spec charts, and grade rules are all terms that are thrown around a lot during development and pre-production. While they do sound (and sometimes look a bit) similar, their meanings are all distinct and each has a different use and purpose.
During development and even pre-production, there are times that you might get a sample back that isn’t quite how you wanted it. But, when the sample doesn’t fit, how do you determine whether cutting, sewing, shrinkage, markers, or the pattern itself caused the problem and what needs to be done to correct it?
Like good design, being able to ask good questions and get helpful feedback takes creativity, thoughtfulness, and practice. It is the thoughtful, specific questions that probe a bit deeper that prompt the meaningful answers. Knowing how to ask for feedback will provide you answers you can actually use to improve your design.
One of the biggest challenges of a digital society is how do you keep returns low when customers don’t have the opportunity to touch, feel, and try on the clothes before they buy? There are things even on the design side that can help minimize returns. Here are five tips for designing apparel to sell online that will keep your return rates low.
Part of running a successful fashion brand is managing your resources well. That includes ordering the right amount of fabric you need without running short or sitting on a bunch of leftover yardage. Having a better understanding of what affects your yields will help you order materials more efficiently.
Fashion is art that is functional. Art that works in three dimensions on a curvy body and moves with the wearer throughout her life. Because of this, think beyond your two-dimensional fashion sketch. If your goal is to design successful apparel for real people to wear, don’t forget about these things when designing.
Product development is a time to test and tweak your design before mass production. Each step has a purpose to help you evaluate different aspects of the product and how it’s manufactured — from performance, to fit, to ease of care. Once the testing is done, you’ll have all the tools you need for production.