How to Start Your Own Indie Clothing Line
Indie clothing often features the new collection’s fashion statements that are most times responsible for introducing new trends to the market. The manufacturing of apparel is the most important thing in starting an independent clothing line. Indie companies a lot of times start in a designer’s personal studio and from there can get a profit margin for their clothing line.
Supplies Needed:
- Trim
- Prototype samples
- Pattern-maker
- Cutter
- Sewer
- Industrial sewing machine
- Hire a pattern maker, cutter and sewer to help create your collections prototype samples. You can save money in this area if needed by making your own first prototype samples.
- Calculate and record the construction information and include how many yards is required to make your garment as well as the trim quality. Know what types of materials and colors that you want to use for each garment. Also note the type and color of the thread, as well as how much time is required to make each garment.
- Conduct an Internet search to research apparel production factories. Make sure to read through the factory descriptions because they contain very important information, including the types of garments they produce. So if a factory mainly produces T-shirts, do no produce dresses with the factory.
- Set up a meeting with several different factory representatives to check out their facilities and their samples. Check the finishing of the factory samples in detail, such as hems, straight stitches, and loose threads. Discuss their minimum requirements for production. You should receive a better the discount, the higher your production order is for your garments.
- Calculate your garment's total cost by incorporating cost to include fabric, trim and construction. Also, factor in shipping cost, as well as overhead expenses. This will help you to calculate your profit margin. This step is very crucial, as it will ensure that you run a profitable Indie clothing line.