Customer Reviews

The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've gone through a whole slew of "Starting Your Own Business" and likeminded entrepreneur books. This has been by far the best of them, and not just because it applies to the particular niche I'm interested in. Kathleen tells you in a direct, honest, and no-frills way what you need to do and how to do it. This is the only "startup" book that I have encountered that approaches the problem like one would a Product Development cycle: plan, design, prototype, iterate, create. This just means that like any project or product that is put out by the "big guys"--whether it's software, products, or a couture gown--a project plan has to be created and adhered to. This book does just that and only asks that you stick with this plan throughout its lifecycle. Seems like common sense, but you would be surprised how many books don't ever mention or emphasize that!

She also provides some useful templates (like a checklist of what you need to be hand off to sewers, cutters, pattern-makers) and advice (for example, never say that you do "couture" or get too confident about your sewing prowess if you've always been a home sewer). The only downside is that though the title suggests that the book discusses all sewn product manufacturers, there is definitely an emphasis on sewn *garment* products. Why does this matter? Because several of the steps and templates in the book are not applicable to those who aren't in the garment industry, but you're never sure which steps to eliminate as a result. Also, I wish that she had discussed finding suppliers in greater depth. In my experience, this has been the number one challenge for a small manufacturer. One last thing, this book is near impossible to find and never seems to be in stock! But there really isn't any other book like it out there...so it's worth the wait.

I agree this is a must-read for anyone starting out in the garment-manufacturing industry. There is plenty of useful information in here, and it's an easy, entertaining, and fairly quick read. Even someone already in the industry will find something useful in here, I suspect. The title "...Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing" is apt.

I read this book because I just bought a struggling garment manufacturer who was selling about $1M per year, but was losing money. I have to come up to speed quickly on this business! I discovered the reason the company was losing money, and it was an obvious (to me) problem in the manufacturing process that I'm sure would affect anyone who owns their own factory. It is a make-or-break issue, but it is not even mentioned in the book, which I found curious. So it is far from a complete treatment.

Also beware the subtitle "everything you need to know about running a garment industry business"...it is not that. The author no doubt is a sharp woman, but her experience is as a pattern-maker, not a manufacturer or design-entrepreneur. She covers parts of the manufacturing process (particularly in pattern-making)in great detail, but treats very lightly, or wrongly, how you are going to sell your products. Her "information" on sales reps is critically wrong, and will send the new entrepreneur totally down the wrong path. The best she could do in talking about reseller relationships was an interview with a feed-store dealer down the road from her.

If you want to get into this business, or are even already in this business, buy this book. But test what you think you've learned.

This book is a must have for anyone with an interest or desire to design, manufacture, and market their own sewn products. It's full of excellent information on production, marketing, sourcing, contracting, patterns, and many other useful topics. It includes a step-by-step checklist that covers everything from concept to delivery. Why re-invent the wheel trying to figure this stuff out by yourself? This book is geared to the "design entrepeneur" and the independent manufacturer, which means it was written for people like you and me. I highly recommend this book.

Whether you are a designer , a production house, or in the craft show circuit; this book shows you how to do it RIGHT so you can have a sucessful business that is competitive.

If you are serious about starting a sewn product manufacturing business, YOU MUST BUY THIS BOOK! If you don't, you just kissed your chances of success good-bye. Kathleen tells you all of the ins-and-outs of getting along with the players in the industry; and if you don't play the game right, you don't play at all, because they will refuse to do business with you!

There is so much information packed into this book, you'll be amazed! I've read the book twice, and am starting to read it for the third time, and I pick up more things each time through. Kathleen provides guidelines of what to do, and in what order, so that you don't end up with thousands of dollars in inventory that you can't sell. Then she shows you how to avoid the many pitfalls just waiting for newbies. She also goes into great detail about all the mistakes the "big boys" make, and how you can avoid them. She provides tips and tricks from production pattern making techniques to fitting ideas to picking sewing contractors.

Kathleen's book is easy to read; it is both entertaining and educational. And it's the only book of its kind!

Kathleen is very concerned about the future of the industry; and with her guidance, future designer entrepreneur's (DEs) may save the industry from failure.

I firmly believe that this book, and joining the NADEIM group Kathleen formed to help DEs get started, are the two best things you can do for your business! (NADEIM stands for National Association of Designer Entrepreneurs and Independent Manufacturers. You can request information about joining NADEIM by completing a form in the back of the book or calling Kathleen.)

Buy the book - it's worth it's weight in gold!

I purchased this book with much skepticism thinking it wouldn't offer much on the sewn products industry. Was I ever wrong?

Not only does the author offer honest advice, she presents various situations to explain the importance of understanding how to run an efficient and successful business. The many stories supplied by other DE's (Design Entrepreneurs) only show that anyone with talent, wit, fortitude, and persistance can succeed in this industry without surrendering to many of the bumps and bruises that come with it. Maybe Isaac Mizrahi should have read this book :>

Otherwise, spend the money and get a real education on this exciting industry. This is a superb book.

Kathleen's book was a huge eye opener. I knew that the garment industry had to know a great deal more than I did about constructing clothing. They had to or clothes would be prohibitively expensive. This book is a practical, enlightening and acerbically written overview of how "they" produce clothing for the rest of us, or at least under ideal conditions. It is also a great place to read about others' mistakes!! In my first reading, my immediate impression was that the details Kathleen was sharing were so intuitively correct and grounded in common sense that it all HAD to be true. Frank speech is the hallmark of this book and you may find yourself shaking your head at the logic and order of Kathleen's description of bringing any sewn product to realization. If you ever had a great idea that required something to be sewn, you really MUST read this book. You will see the value after only one chapter, but read it twice.

I intend starting my own apparel manufacturing business but I did not know where to begin. Someone suggested that I read Kathleen's book. I read the book over three days, and enjoyed it very much. I highly recommend this book, especially for beginners, like me. It has a tremendous amount of useful, practical information and advise covering the designing, manufacturing and marketing of sewn products. The book has a very useful resource contact list of people and companies. I intend reading the book over and over again, and I will continue to use it as a reference book. The book made me feel good about myself, and gave me confidence, that I can start my own manufacturing business, and compete successfully in a very competitive world.

This book is the only one that I have found, that breaks down the process of producing a line of clothing step by step. If you are thinking about starting your own company or collection and you haven't been to fashion school, BUY THIS BOOK!!!

This book is heaven sent. I wish I had all the informations contained in this book when I started my business 5 years ago. I would be thousands of dollars ahead! Kathleen's book is worth its weight in gold. Finally, someone is taking the small (beginner) designer/manufacturers seriously . This book is a MUST READ if you are serious about,and want your business to succeed. By reading kathleen's book, you will save yourself years of trials and errors (usually costly errors!) Whatever questions you have, more than likely, you will find the answer in Kathleen's book.

At last Kathleen Fasnalla offers clear, easily followed instructions and suggestions to assist entrepreneurs in their designing and manufacturing quest. If I had found Kathleen's book when I was designing and manufacturing my own clothing line I would still "be there doing that"! This guide will save time, money, and heartache for those dreaming of designing and manufacturing their own special products. I have and will continue to recommend this book to any person. This Guide is readable, has easy to follow guidelines and also forms to use for sewn product manufacturing businesses. In addition to this invaluable guide, Kathleen Fasanella continues to support entrepreneurs by phone, email, and the organization, The National Association of Designer Entrepreneurs and Independent Manufacturers (NADEIM).