Fall & Holiday Fashion Designs Done; Now Get it ‘Em Paper
OK!!!! It’s all done in my head. The Fall and Holiday line. In my head, in my head, in my head. One of my dearest friends gave me some insight into myself this year (because one of her dear friends gave her some insight into herself & we’re very similar). She told me to pay attention to how much work I’m really doing in my head and not knock myself down for being a procrastinator. And it’s so true. So much happens when I close my eyes and go inside and focus.
Today I drew out the plan for my whole line. And I feel good about it. Here’s the key points and next steps:
- Small Line: I’m already going bigger than I had originally planned because I’m doing a couple of boy’s designs too. I would slap myself on the wrist for this if it didn’t feel so right in my gut. Still, it’s small. 7 designs (8 maximum - which is about double what I originally planned) - and 2 colorways for each design.
- Technical Sketches: I need to do drawings of each design that are technically accurate and contain the design specs. Mainly, measurements and finished lengths. This is one of the hardest parts for me. I was learning how to do it on the computer, but I’m not sure if it’s easier to do it on sketch paper. I think I’ve mentioned this before but my pattern maker always gives the pattern back to me with a better technical sketch than I handed over.
How’s that for awesome? But I need to get better so she doesn’t have to redo my work. Bless her patience. - Source Fabrics: I’ve heard it’s best to get the fabrics first and then do the design. I agree that this is the best way to be inspired and do a design. I’ve been careful to do designs with standard types of fabric that I know are easy for me to source. The only challenge will be for me to find a new print or weave that I’m happy with for that design. I’m taking this route with a couple of my designs because I want to capitalize on some of my previous work and what sold well. But I know this will make sourcing the fabric more of a pain for me. On project runway they certainly did the sketches first, looked for the fabric second. Of course, they often changed their designs after they selected the fabrics. Either way, this is bound to be a journey for me.
After I’ve got the fabrics and technical sketches solidified, I take my spec sheets to the pattern maker. I’m so happy this came together in my head because I was in this wierd fog where no new design ideas were coming out and it was making me nuts.
P.S. I’m also prepared to cut my line down even more based on fit testing and costing estimates. We’ll see.
Add comment December 2nd, 2006