SAMPLING

The process of making a sample or a prototype is known as garment sampling. When fashion brands source garments in bulk quantity in mass garment manufacturing, sampling is an essential process that would always take place prior to commencement of the bulk order. This helps to exclude a risk of making an error when buying raw materials for the bulk manufacturing process as it may hugely affect the cost of your final product.

The process of making a sample involves the checking of the garment fit and making sure that the fabric and trims quality of a required standard. There is a standard requirement for garment sampling when sourcing in bulk quantity. It’s important to understand what types of samples buyers are looking for, when they would need it by and how many pieces of each sample type they would be looking to get.

You would always start the sampling process once you create the perfect pattern and you can then cut and sew your first sample.

It’s a good practice to carry out the fitting of the sample on the mannequin while making the sample and on the fit model once it will be made. This will give you an idea of the fit as you go along making it and see what the final product would look like on the person.

Your first sample may not be perfect and it is possible that you may have to alter or even remake the sample, whatever would be more convenient and more cost effective. You would also make pattern corrections in accordance with these changes as required.

The finish quality of the sample is a very important subject. It does not always have to be the concealed type of finish like French or bound seams or a pinhem but it needs to be appropriate to the fabric’s quality and neat. This would demonstrate to the buyers your knowledge of the garment making technology and your attitude to your product and will certainly improve your chances of making a more successful sale.