How to Design Your Own Clothes
Many women enjoy fashion. But the best way to demonstrate self-expression is to design some of your own clothes. It can be lots of fun and possibly profitable. If you are a fairly good seamstress and can draw fairly well, you might be in luck. Read on to learn how to design your own clothes.
Step
1
The best thing to do to start off is to put some of your ideas on paper. In this way, you are establishing some of your thoughts. Take a pencil and paper and illustrate some of your clothing ideas. If you are not a great artist, try drawing individual pieces of clothing. Such items are fairly simple to illustrate and will give you a good idea if there is potential to mix and match your pieces. Your intial drawings show where your heart is at as far as clothing creation.
Step
2
The next thing to consider is your market and how your clothing will fit in with today's styles. Remember that many good stylists and designers initially had excellent ideas; however, their styles were not yet appropriate for the current time. The general public will not "shake off" true talent. One way or another, a good design will come to the forefront. The main thing is you must believe in your design. There have been many prominent designers in fashion and jewelry who have attempted to introduce their lines to the public and were met with less than enthusiastic results. However, as the times changed, re-introduction of the line was accomplished and later successful. So be aware of timing. Additionally, there still may be a niche market for your current designs. Research the Internet and find out what other independent designers are offering and to whom.
Step
3
Continue to think and develop good ideas. Borrow designs from other eras. Research other eras and see what was offered. Many of the styles may be easy to create and fun to wear. I found an abundant supply of fashion magazines from the sixties and seventies at a thrift store. I perused through these periodicals and came up with some good ideas and incorporated era style with some of my own clothes. Even if you do not use any of the era styles, it will certainly get your imagination rolling.
Step
4
Scan hospital guild thrift stores for earlier period patterns. These patterns may be purchased very inexpensively and modified according to your design and size. If you are experimenting in creating a certain design it makes sense to have a template that is not expensive.
Step
5
Re-style your own clothes. For instance, if a dress is too long, cut off the bottom and hem it, and accessorize it. Use the material remnants to make belts and scarves. You may also purchase complementary accessories at discounters and dollar stores.
Step
6
Try adding embelishments to plain T-shirts or tanks. Here is a way to be expressive and creative without spending a great deal of money. You may use "Bernat boa" which is normally used in knitting; however, may also be used as an embellishment. This item can be found at sewing and craft stores. Sew this around the neck or make two separate rows of it, running it down the length of the T-shirt. Know that buttons, material remnants and so forth may be used for other design ideas. T-shirts that have been newly designed, may be successfully paired with new as well as older-style garments.
Step
7
When designing garments be aware of how you intend on accessorizing the garment. If it is a dress, hoisery is important. If you are in a colder climate, consider accessorizing 'era' looks with tights and boots. Keep accessories to a minimum and complementary to the look you are attempting to achieve.
Step
8
Research independent designers online. Do this to get an idea of how such designers are marketing their products. Also, note the products they are offering.
Step
9
Set up your own independent website with items you have constructed. Offer initially to custom design items adhering to the customer's size and tastes based upon your designs.
Step
10
Try diversification in marketing your designs. Find a line of handbags you like and/or jewelry line and offer your design services in addition to selling the handbags and/or jewelry lines. There are many wholesalers who offer a nice variety of accessories.
Step
11
Spread the word. Tell individuals within your community about your design service and direct them to your website.
Step
12
Wear your designs and carry accessories from the lines you represent. Not only must you design your product, you must have the confidence to endorse it.
Step
13
Most importantly, have fun with what you do. If you are confident enough and talented, the right market will eventually come to you.
Tips & Warnings
Do not redo dresses of well-known designers.
Additionally, do not attempt to just hem an ankle length dress from a familiar brand of apparel for a particular decade. This is a dead giveaway. You are just hemming outdated garments. These items may be put to better use in the recycle bin or in the construction of quilts.
When retiring an older item of clothing, remove the buttons. The buttons can be used as embellishment or for function when re-designing other items of clothing.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2161813_design-own-clothes.html
Many women enjoy fashion. But the best way to demonstrate self-expression is to design some of your own clothes. It can be lots of fun and possibly profitable. If you are a fairly good seamstress and can draw fairly well, you might be in luck. Read on to learn how to design your own clothes.
Step
1
The best thing to do to start off is to put some of your ideas on paper. In this way, you are establishing some of your thoughts. Take a pencil and paper and illustrate some of your clothing ideas. If you are not a great artist, try drawing individual pieces of clothing. Such items are fairly simple to illustrate and will give you a good idea if there is potential to mix and match your pieces. Your intial drawings show where your heart is at as far as clothing creation.
Step
2
The next thing to consider is your market and how your clothing will fit in with today's styles. Remember that many good stylists and designers initially had excellent ideas; however, their styles were not yet appropriate for the current time. The general public will not "shake off" true talent. One way or another, a good design will come to the forefront. The main thing is you must believe in your design. There have been many prominent designers in fashion and jewelry who have attempted to introduce their lines to the public and were met with less than enthusiastic results. However, as the times changed, re-introduction of the line was accomplished and later successful. So be aware of timing. Additionally, there still may be a niche market for your current designs. Research the Internet and find out what other independent designers are offering and to whom.
Step
3
Continue to think and develop good ideas. Borrow designs from other eras. Research other eras and see what was offered. Many of the styles may be easy to create and fun to wear. I found an abundant supply of fashion magazines from the sixties and seventies at a thrift store. I perused through these periodicals and came up with some good ideas and incorporated era style with some of my own clothes. Even if you do not use any of the era styles, it will certainly get your imagination rolling.
Step
4
Scan hospital guild thrift stores for earlier period patterns. These patterns may be purchased very inexpensively and modified according to your design and size. If you are experimenting in creating a certain design it makes sense to have a template that is not expensive.
Step
5
Re-style your own clothes. For instance, if a dress is too long, cut off the bottom and hem it, and accessorize it. Use the material remnants to make belts and scarves. You may also purchase complementary accessories at discounters and dollar stores.
Step
6
Try adding embelishments to plain T-shirts or tanks. Here is a way to be expressive and creative without spending a great deal of money. You may use "Bernat boa" which is normally used in knitting; however, may also be used as an embellishment. This item can be found at sewing and craft stores. Sew this around the neck or make two separate rows of it, running it down the length of the T-shirt. Know that buttons, material remnants and so forth may be used for other design ideas. T-shirts that have been newly designed, may be successfully paired with new as well as older-style garments.
Step
7
When designing garments be aware of how you intend on accessorizing the garment. If it is a dress, hoisery is important. If you are in a colder climate, consider accessorizing 'era' looks with tights and boots. Keep accessories to a minimum and complementary to the look you are attempting to achieve.
Step
8
Research independent designers online. Do this to get an idea of how such designers are marketing their products. Also, note the products they are offering.
Step
9
Set up your own independent website with items you have constructed. Offer initially to custom design items adhering to the customer's size and tastes based upon your designs.
Step
10
Try diversification in marketing your designs. Find a line of handbags you like and/or jewelry line and offer your design services in addition to selling the handbags and/or jewelry lines. There are many wholesalers who offer a nice variety of accessories.
Step
11
Spread the word. Tell individuals within your community about your design service and direct them to your website.
Step
12
Wear your designs and carry accessories from the lines you represent. Not only must you design your product, you must have the confidence to endorse it.
Step
13
Most importantly, have fun with what you do. If you are confident enough and talented, the right market will eventually come to you.
Tips & Warnings
Do not redo dresses of well-known designers.
Additionally, do not attempt to just hem an ankle length dress from a familiar brand of apparel for a particular decade. This is a dead giveaway. You are just hemming outdated garments. These items may be put to better use in the recycle bin or in the construction of quilts.
When retiring an older item of clothing, remove the buttons. The buttons can be used as embellishment or for function when re-designing other items of clothing.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2161813_design-own-clothes.html
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