Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I have illustrations of my women`s garment invention and need to have a prototype made.  Should I be looking for a local seamstress/designer to do this or for a manufacturer? 

Will a manufacturer do just a prototype- I thought they only worked in large numbers?

Thanks so much for any feedback.

We`re (Kathy and I) also in textiles, and a friend of mine was involved in developing a new type of dog clothing. Back and forth of it is that it seems to me the best way to get a prototype is by working directly, face-to-face with a local sewing expert. That may be a seamstress, but could be a tailor or quilter, designer or other person involved with fabric.

The advantages are primarily direct contact and personal communication. Working with a manufacturer would put you into a sort of "customer blob," (to use a technical term). :-D

The other aspect is what you`ve said above, that most manufacturers make their money mass-producing already-finished designs. There are some who will take an idea from your mind to final distribution, but that`s going to cost some pretty serious money.

That`s the way I see it, anyway. The key is finding someone who not only can sew, but who understands how to create their own patterns and who knows how different types of fabric properties interact. You could use questions like that during introductory discussions to get a feel for the person, y`know?

Thanks Craig- that`s really helpful.  I`m posting an ad on Craigslist and unsure whether to look for a designer or a seamstress or a tailor...maybe I`ll just throw all 3 titles in there and see who comes my way.  It`s very helpful to know what questions to ask when meeting with them to find the right fit.

Have you tried trying to make the prototype yourself?  When I first came up with my product, I put it together with fabric glue.  I then had a tailor make prototypes (he signed a confidentiality agreement).  However, the best thing I ever did for my product was invest in a cheap sewing machine (under $100) and learn to sew.  It`s not as hard as you think.  Even though it was sloppy at first, it gave me the opportunity to play with the product and make it the best it could be.  Every time I thought I had it down, I would come up with a way to improve it.  Whether you are going to bring it to market yourself or try to license your product, you still have to bring the best, most thought out version of your product to the table.  A seamstress or a tailor won`t necessarily have an interest in spending hours deciding how a particular part should be sewn, but since it`s your vision I bet you will, and I bet you`ll actually enjoy doing it.  You will also save A LOT of money this way.

 I think that you are on the right track with checking on Craigslist for a seamstress that is local.  Having been in the textile business for many years (more than I like to admit!), I can attest to the benefits of working with a someone local as you get the kinks worked out of your product launch. Changes and tweaks can be made easily.  After you get some actual prototypes made, you can always try and source it with a small manufacturer (if needed) that may or may not be local to you...

Good luck!

I suggest visiting www.fashion-incubator.com for all the ins and outs of starting a business like this. I guess you could call it the "Start up nation" of the apparel industry except it dominates its niche. It draws over 8,000 visitors daily; a large brain trust.

I`ve worked in the garment industry for almost 30 years and I`ve seen people make a lot of well meaning assumptions, most of them false. Generally, I don`t recommend hiring a local seamstress, they charge a lot more than professionals do. I know ladies who sew from home who charge twice as much as I do -or more- by the hour and it takes them two or three times longer to do it. Also, don`t assume you have to produce large quantities. The fact is, it`s not the size of one`s order but the size of one`s "attitude" (not saying you have one). Like I said, there`s lots of things people think are true about the industry that just aren`t. But it does matter who you know and you need to go where they hang to find them.

Oh, and you don`t want to hire a "designer". Trust me on that. Also, as a matter of legal standing, if you create the product causing it to be, *you* are the manufacturer legally. The person who sews it is a contractor. This is a matter of liability and not my opinion.


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~Nurture people, not products~
http://www.fashion-incubator.com

  Hello mbradford, are you talking about designing and making a full line of clothing or you have a particular application to multiple garments.

Thanks for all of the helpful advice.

In response to your question, Bazoon, I am just talking about having one item of clothing made.  I need to have a prototype made before I can pitch my idea to a company in hopes of getting them to license it.  Although, I have recently been told that good illustrations may be sufficient so now I`m trying to figure out if I need a prototype or not.

Hi everybody,

I have been in clothing business for several years as an consultant at a clothing manufacturer, so in my opinion, if you are just starting new clothing line with you own design, so definitely, you need to make clothes prototype to have a look before you start mass produce, i know clothes prototype is cost money (from 100 - 250 bucks for a prototype), the main thing is if you could find out a right place to create prototype for you, so you no need to spend more money to make the sample when you produce in quantity. If you need any advice, feel free to call me at 347-404-5344 or email me at 9mode@live.com
Alice
Private Label Clothing Manufacturer






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http://www.9mode-clothing-manufacturer.com - Private label clothes manufacturer