I have been told I really need post to “Latest News” more. Sad to say I am not a blogger; I am so busy running Heart Hunters, I just forget. It is not that nothing new is happening, it is just that there are new things happening every day. HHC is among many other things. . .an incubator.
What is an incubator?
An incubator is a safe environment where the seeds of a new project can grow, and when it is time emerge as a fully actualized product. For Heart Hunters Consulting this could be a fashion garment or a functional tech garment. It could also be a cut and sew invention that is not a garment, like a backpack or tent. Someone once asked me, “What is it that you really do?” My reply was this, “I take what is in your mind and bring it into the physical universe.“
So, what are the steps that are followed in an incubator setting? The first thing that has to happen is the designer must provide a technical drawing of the design. If the designer does not have a technical drawing, i.e. a CAD “computer assisted drafting”, HHC can provide those services. Your CAD artist will create your CAD in AI which is Adobe Illustrator. The Cad artist will need some very clear guidelines and inspiration concepts. At the same time, we will be sourcing your BOM – “bill of materials”. This includes all fabrics and trims. HHC will closely guide the client on both processes.
The designer can give the CAD artist a very rough drawing with notes all over it, and we will bring it to life as a flat. The flat CAD drawing will have all the design details so it can then be handed off to the pattern maker. Once the pattern maker gets the flat CAD drawing with all the seams and stitches called out, the pattern work can begin. Most of our pattern makers are old school, and will start on the drafting table. However, more and more pattern makers are just working digitally. Here at HHC we believe in a blend of old school with a strong technical support system. After first pattern is done, it is digitized into the CAD system for patterns on the pattern makers computer. This file can be sent anywhere via a universal DFX file. The pattern maker can then make changes to the pattern after fitting or inspection digitally. The sample maker can then plot off the pattern if they have a plotter. The pattern maker can also plot off the corrected pattern and mail back to sample maker, if they are in two different locations.
We start with a paper pattern created on the drafting table using the CAD drawing as a guideline, and a basic fit garment provided by the client. This garment should be as basic as possible and fit your fit model. Once the first paper pattern is finished it is handed over to the sample maker. After the sample is finished it will be sent to the client to fit on their fit model. Note: the fit model should not be the designer/brand owner, they can not be subjective. The designer can get a fit model in their size so they can try on as well. If you are not making a garment that needs to be fitted, this step is not needed of course. All non-garment products will also need to be sent to the designer for inspection and calls outs. Whether you are fitting a garment or doing call outs for a non-garment product, we will get on zoom or another webcam and instruct you step by step how to pin the garment and do the call outs, garment or non-garment. If you are in New York, Los Angeles, or Houston you can do your fitting in person with one of our team members. Most of our fittings are remote and work very well.
The design/creation process is not an exact science. Sometimes two or more samples will need to be made before you have what we call the “Golden Sample”. If it is a garment, this will be a base sized golden sample. Now you can add your POM’s – “points of measure” – for your base size to your tech pack. Note: your tech pack will not be done until you have made a “size set”, one garment of every size that you are making.
So that was a detailed overview of what an incubator is. HHC’s incubator is a safe place to create without being hurried or judged in the comfort of your own home or office. We are a knowledge-based consultancy empowering one client at a time to bring their designs to reality.