The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A very useful and practical, real world book - oct 1998 -- a reader for El Paso Texas

Super. A must for those serious about starting a business. -- a reader in columbia SC

This book is a must have for everyone starting a business!

If you are serious about starting a sewn product -- a reader from Albany NY

Product Description

A practical, no nonsense guide to assist those who would like to begin their own sewn products business, explaining many of the pitfalls that they can now avoid.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 230 pages
• Publisher: Apparel Technical Svcs (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966320840
• ISBN-13: 978-0966320848
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #280,079 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why is this book so hard to find?!, August 14, 2002

By	Lola (wanderer) - See all my reviews

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.

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a MUST HAVE for everyone starting a business!, September 23, 1998

By A Customer

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!

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must have for designers or manufaturers, October 21, 1998

By A Customer

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.