Hello everyone! It has been a while since I provided an update about my clothing product. I wanted to focus on getting a final working prototype together before making any official announcements about it. As an occupational therapist, I have the knowledge of the pediatric population and how to make the process of learning intuitive and exciting, but the world of business is new to me.
I’m learning how to start a business and make a new product from scratch, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. I take meticulous notes in a large art style notebook that includes my sketch ideas, a tentative timeline of the project, and notes on articles/classes to support my learning about product and business development. Having these detailed notes keeps me organized, but it made me realize how much goes into starting a business.
I started this project back in 2016, and I’m still dealing with manufacturing issues. I used a local manufacturer in the Bay Area to create my sample prototype. From choosing the fabric to receiving the 3rd draft (not the final sample) of the prototype took about 1 year. Some of the issues I've been having with the prototype:
- All the revisions to the prototype have caused the fabric to stretch from overworking.
- The fabric shrinks in the heat of the washer/dryer.
- The heat also affects the fit of certain accessories on the clothes, making them come off more easily.
There will be a few more prototypes before the final sample is complete. As Martha Stewart said in her article, Finding and Working with a Manufacturer, she mentioned that quality check is vital when making sure a product is correctly made before going into production, and this has definitely been a major road block for me when dealing with my product. That is why I want to make sure that all the glitches are out so that when the product is announced, it will be a quality product.
My current plan is to keep everyone updated about the different aspects of my product. From patternmaking, all the way until production and beyond. Especially when you’re new to the business realm, I think it’s important to know how everything is put together to make the end product. I will keep you all informed about the progress. Please email me at jessica@free2be.xyz with any questions or comments. Thank you for your support!