HELP - Need Item Making From Scratch?

devmcc

Hi all...
I run my own small retail business - I sell mens designer bits and bobs(!) .. I have had a great idea for a new type of garment..
Does anyone know where I could get a factory or shop to make me some sample pieces - I have no idea where to start with this one - I do have sketches of the design I am after...
Sorry for the vagueness but you never know who is watching!!
ps I am in the VERY sunny North West!!

richt71

I'm sure there's an organisation of british clothing makers/manufacturers...or there was many years ago when I worked in the industry. They should have a list of UK clothing makers as a starting point. Businesslink may be able to point you in the right direction if you can't find them.

veganline

Hi
I think the minimum order in the rag trade is something like 500 items. I forget, but if you look through enough yellow pages adverts you'll find that some of the factories quote their minimum on a display add. A mixture of google maps, yellow pages entries, and driving around likely areas might find you a clothes factory. The number is for a day's output.

Below the minimum factory order, you could try seamsters or seamstresses, who might be known to your local dry cleaners, or you could look around for classes in DIY sewing.

If your garment is made out of PVC or something specialised the starting point might be a supplier of that material by the meter, who might know of people working with it.

Mass production and a fair amount of the skilled, machine intensive work such as shoemaking has migrated, so finding a good factory is harder than finding a good plumber.
Good luck
John

MissJMac

Sorry - wrong post