A New Design! Altered Couture Submission too!

For many years, I have enjoyed getting published in Altered Couture.  Altered Couture is a 160 page publication that is filled with gorgeous photographs of garments that have been given a second chance by the artists that created them. Here is a link to the publication Altered Couture. You can click on the link to find out more information about Altered Couture. Are you interested in submitting something that you made? Here is a link to find out how to do it: Altered Couture Challenges.

This is an image of me, Carla Buchanan, Fashion designer and Altered Couture Artist, and  Beth Livesay, Managing Editor Altered Couture, Stampington & Company.

Over the years, I have really enjoyed getting to know Beth Livesay, Managing Editor. Beth is so great at her job. She makes me feel like a true artist and she is delightful to work for. She constantly encourages me, and supports me. You will love Beth's blog: Couture Over Coffee.

This week, I created an art piece for Altered Couture to consider. As usually, I began with apparel pieces that I already had, and designed something spectacular! Today, I am sending this piece to Beth Livesay, Altered Couture, for consideration for a future issue. Stay tuned!

This image is a before picture of a t-shirt that I used to an art piece submission to Altered Couture Publication.

This image is a before picture of a shirt that I used to an art piece submission to Altered Couture Publication.

This image is a before picture of a new fashion art piece that I submitted to Altered Couture Publication.

Shocking! Let Your Wife Do It? Look what I found on an apparel label!

Shocking! Let Your Wife Do It? Look what I found on an apparel label!

Girl Scouts of Orange County Sew Simple Fashion Design Class

How to Purchase Apparel with Logos

How to Purchase Apparel with Logos

To assist you in purchasing apparel with logos, I have supplied you with the tool that Business Branding Customers are given at their initial free apparel consultation.

Apparel Purchasing Process
Steps	Details	Your Garment Needs Here
1. Usage	Where are you going to wear this garment? What are you going to be doing when you wear it?
2. Style	Polos, button down, t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirts, etc.
3. Fabric	Taking into consideration usage needs and style, identify the fabric that you want.
4. Weight	Determine weight of the fabric.
4. Size	What sizes do you need? Not all styles come in all sizes.
5. Color	What color do you need? Not all styles come in all colors.
6. Quantity	How many do you need?
7. Decoration	Determine if you would like embroidery or silk screen.
8. When	When do you need your garments?
10. Art	Provide artwork, vector format, by email, to Business Brandings, or, let us help you
11. Quote	Business Brandings will provide you a quote.
12. Prepay	Prepay your order by check, Master Card or Visa
13. Delivery	Business Brandings will deliver your garments to you.

 

Example of an Apparel Pattern Card or, A Face Card

Here is an example of a pattern card, or a face card. After the pattern maker has completed a pattern for a garment, he, or she, makes a pattern card, or face card. The card hangs in front of the pattern pieces. The pattern card serves as a record of how many pattern pieces are included in the design. Many times the fee for this is the same as making a pattern piece. If you are a manufacturing company, and you want to save money, you can make these yourself. This pattern card, or face card, serves several purposes. Considering that the card contains all the pattern pieces it takes to construct a garment, you can see, in a glance, the basic construction of a garment. The sewer, or factory, can use the pattern card, or face card, to keep track of the pattern pieces. Usually the pattern maker puts the sewing directions on the pattern card, or face card. This helps the sewer know what type of stitches you desire on the garment.
A word to the wise: when you get your pattern card, and pattern, back from the pattern maker, double check to make sure all the components of the design are represented on the pattern card before you leave your pattern maker. If there is a mistake, it will save you a trip back to see your pattern maker. I learned this one the hard way. I gave my pattern maker a sample cardigan and asked her to add pockets. She forgot, I walked away, and did not check my pattern card. Don't make the same mistake I did. Many hours can be saved simply by checking the pattern card.
Here is the example of an apparel pattern card, or, face card:

Pattern Card
Style #:	Date:	Size:
Style name:	Pattern Maker:	Sketch

Quantity	Self Pieces	special directions
Quantity	Ribbed Pieces

An Example of a Survey for an Apparel Start Up Company/Handbag

An Example of a Survey for an Apparel Start Up Company/Handbag

Before you develop an apparel product, such as a handbag, it is important to know who your target market is and what type of product they want. So many companies I talk to don't know who their target market is. The good news is, you can find out who your target market is, and what they want, by asking them. One of the ways to ask your target market about themselves is a survey. There are many companies out their who will do the work for you, but you can do it yourself.

Here is an example of a survey done for a handbag company that has an eco friendly light in the bag. Your survey will be different.

Handbag Customer Survey

by Carla Buchanan

1.Are you a female or male?

• A. female
• B. male

2.What age group are you in?

• A. 18 and younger
• B. 19-25
• C. 26-35
• D. 36 -55

             E. 56 plus

3.What is your family structure?

• A. Single
• B. Married
• C. Divorced

4.What is an average of your income?

• A. 20,000 and less
• B. 20,000-50,000
• C. 50,000-75,000
• D. 75-000-125,000
• E. 125,000-250,00
• F. 250,000 plus

5.What is your highest level of education?

• A. Never finished high school
• B. Associates Degree
• C. Bachelors Degree
• D. Graduate Degree

6.What types of stores do you prefer to shop in?

• A. Department Stores
• B. High End Luxury Stores
• C. Boutiques
• D. Anywhere there are sales!

7.What is you favorite luxury handbag?

8.How much do you usually spend on a handbag?

• A. $100  or less
• B. $100-$500
• C. $500-$1,500
• D. $1,500+

9.How many items do you, or your partner, have in your handbag right now?

• A. 5 or less
• B. 6-10
• C.11-20
• D. 21+

10.Would you like an eco-friendly light inside your handbag?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Maybe

An Example of a Sample Letter to Buyer from an Apparel Manufacturing Start Up Company

An Example of a Sample Letter to Buyer from an Apparel Manufacturing Start Up Company

Buyer

Dick’s Sporting Goods

345 Court St.

Coraopolis, PA 15108

Monday, August 16, 2010

Dear Ms. Buyer,

I hope this letter finds you well.  It is with great pride, and excitement, that I want to introduce you to my newly formed company, Carla Buchanan, Inc. I have recently formed this company in order to manufacture a new line of yoga clothes, Days of Blue. The reason I designed these clothes, is because after six years of teaching yoga, I saw a need for clothes that women can wear out the door of the gym, or yoga studio, and go shopping, or other places that they have planned for the day. 

Days of Blue clothing is designed for active women, who practice yoga, and lead busy lives. These women want to look, and feel great, on, and off, the yoga mat. Days of Blue yoga clothes are designed for the yoga women, on the go! 

Days of Blue clothes are high quality and durable, which I know that Dick’s Sporting Goods customers demand. I would love to show you my new line. I am going to be in Corapolis on September 10. Can I come by your office and present Days of Blue to you?  I hope so! I will contact you in a few days.

Sincerely yours,

Carla Buchanan

Blank Cost Sheet Form Apparel Manufacturing Manufacturing, by Carla Buchanan

Cost Sheet
Date:	Style#:	Allowance: 1/8”
Description:	Season: Spring	Colors:
Size range:	Selling price:

Material	Yards	Price	Amount		Front/back
self
lining
Interfacing
Trimming	quantity	price	amount
labels, poly bags, hangtags, hangers, size tickets
Labor
cutting
sewing
grading
marking
total cost
mark up
wholesale cost