Look at all this great new fabric!
I recently purchased some fabric of different weight and finish than the fabrics I typically use. I started out in 2011 using quilting cotton because I could easily obtain it wholesale and it comes in such a great variety of colors and prints. However, this fabric has a limited amount of applications. I want to start making blouses as well as more pants and skirts and quilting cotton just doesn't work best for all of those things, for all seasons.
I recently purchased some fabric of different weight and finish than the fabrics I typically use. I started out in 2011 using quilting cotton because I could easily obtain it wholesale and it comes in such a great variety of colors and prints. However, this fabric has a limited amount of applications. I want to start making blouses as well as more pants and skirts and quilting cotton just doesn't work best for all of those things, for all seasons.
Choosing fabrics this time was a different experience because I was really guided by what I knew I wanted and not just what was available. To the left are my current designs/ideas which helped guide my selection process.
I remain attracted to vintage-inspired prints but the ones I chose this time also feel modern. I also chose some lighter weight cottons for blouses--these have finer weave and better drape. I did pick some sateen which, weight-wise, isn't much different than quilting cotton but has a wonderful sheen to it and drapes better (while still working for more structured designs).
My plan is to make purchase enough fabric to make a sample and at least one replica. I plan to wear all of my designs now--both for the marketing benefit as well as to test the clothing for myself and have a clear idea of how they feel and wear over the course of a work day. By doing it this way I can gauge what will be popular and if demand grows I can usually get more of the same fabric; if not I can offer to order the customer something different.
Having ordered fabrics based on what I want and need for my designs frees me up to continue to design based on what I want to design, not based on what I think will work for the quilting cotton I have in stock.
I used Pantone for inspiration as well. While I don't feel the need to adjust my color choices to fit each season's colors exactly, I do find this reference helpful for two reasons: 1) It breaks me out of my comfort zone and warms me up to colors I might not have thought to use; b) it helps me to understand what women may be looking for from one season to the next so that, if it works with my design ideas, i can offer that to them. This is also just one more way to get people in the shop "door"!
I'm also changing up a bit of my designs to make some styles that are more versatile for every day things, like office jobs. Hence this pretty sweetheart neckline blouse that I made. I've had a change in lifestyle since I started making patterns, insofar as I'm no longer making mini skirts and dresses to be worn without bras. I now want tailored, flattering and modestly sexy (sexily modest?) clothing that I can wear to work as well as out and about. Luckily my pattern making skills have improved as my needs have changed.
I remain attracted to vintage-inspired prints but the ones I chose this time also feel modern. I also chose some lighter weight cottons for blouses--these have finer weave and better drape. I did pick some sateen which, weight-wise, isn't much different than quilting cotton but has a wonderful sheen to it and drapes better (while still working for more structured designs).
My plan is to make purchase enough fabric to make a sample and at least one replica. I plan to wear all of my designs now--both for the marketing benefit as well as to test the clothing for myself and have a clear idea of how they feel and wear over the course of a work day. By doing it this way I can gauge what will be popular and if demand grows I can usually get more of the same fabric; if not I can offer to order the customer something different.
Having ordered fabrics based on what I want and need for my designs frees me up to continue to design based on what I want to design, not based on what I think will work for the quilting cotton I have in stock.
I used Pantone for inspiration as well. While I don't feel the need to adjust my color choices to fit each season's colors exactly, I do find this reference helpful for two reasons: 1) It breaks me out of my comfort zone and warms me up to colors I might not have thought to use; b) it helps me to understand what women may be looking for from one season to the next so that, if it works with my design ideas, i can offer that to them. This is also just one more way to get people in the shop "door"!
I'm also changing up a bit of my designs to make some styles that are more versatile for every day things, like office jobs. Hence this pretty sweetheart neckline blouse that I made. I've had a change in lifestyle since I started making patterns, insofar as I'm no longer making mini skirts and dresses to be worn without bras. I now want tailored, flattering and modestly sexy (sexily modest?) clothing that I can wear to work as well as out and about. Luckily my pattern making skills have improved as my needs have changed.
