Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
Q. What does MADE Apparel Services do?
We have a lot of skills, but our main service is creating Tech Packs for sewn product manufacture. Our emphasis is on emerging designers and small businesses aspiring to sell sewn goods or improve their existing sewn manufacture process.
Q. Can you work with someone who has no fashion or design background?
Absolutely. Many of our clients are entrepreneurs with brilliant product ideas but no design experience. We specialize in working with first-time founders, guiding you step by step from sketches or rough concepts to samples and tech packs that manufacturers can use. If you are having difficulty getting your ideas on paper, we recommend taking our Design Concepting Course to help you translate your ideas and sketches into a design.
Q. What do I need to get started?
Rough sketches, magazine tears, photos or sewn samples are a great start. The more details about your design you have, the better. If you need help concepting your idea sign up for our Design Concepting Course. If you are an existing business, we only need your sewn samples to build an Express Tech Pack.
Q. What should I prepare before my free consultation?
Before your consultation, it’s best to come prepared with a concept board, design illustration, rough prototype, or any visual or physical materials that express your idea. This enables us to understand your vision clearly and guide you effectively in turning it into a manufacturable product. If you don’t have a concept board or are still unclear on your vision, take our Design Concepting Course and bring your design ideas to life as a shareable illustration.
Q. Do you support remote clients?
Yes! We work with clients across the U.S. and internationally. Our process is designed for remote collaboration—using video calls, digital file sharing, and shipping samples so you can be involved in every stage, no matter where you’re located.
Q. I think my idea is original. How do I make sure it stays protected and private?
We keep all information confidential, whether or not a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is in effect. If you feel more comfortable having us sign an NDA before talking with us, we are happy to accommodate this on a case-by-case basis.
Q. What equipment do you have, and can I tour your facility?
Our list of machines and capabilities is here, and you are welcome to come and visit our small, home-based business by appointment. If you still have questions, give us a call anytime at 425-830-3080 or schedule a free 30-minute consultation. We’re here to help guide you, whether you choose our services or someone else’s.
Product Development Process
Q. What’s included in MADE’s development process?
Our development process is designed to take your idea from concept to a product that’s ready for manufacturing. This includes:
Pattern making to translate your design into a technical, sewable format.
Sewn samples that let you see and test the product in real life.
Grading to ensure your design remains correctly proportioned across a size range.
A detailed tech pack that serves as the instruction manual for your manufacturer
With these tools, you’ll have everything needed to start conversations with manufacturers about full-scale production.
Q. What is included in your pre-production package?
As you progress through our step-by-step process, you will be gaining the three things that make up this package: a full pattern set, a sewn sample, and a tech pack. The pattern is a fully labeled and graded commercial production pattern provided to you as a printable 36” pdf, two versions of .dxf (AAMA and ASTM) and an Illustrator file (.ai). The sewn sample will be in your final material in the base size and represent as much detail as necessary to guide the manufacturer through the sewing steps. The tech pack is the “recipe” that pulls your pattern and sewn sample together with sewing instruction, in addition to listing all the supplies and materials necessary to make your sewn product. It also includes a measurement chart for all your sizes. See our Sample Tech Pack. If you’re ready to discuss more, book a free consultation!
Q. What is the difference between a tech pack, a spec sheet and a pre-production package?
A Tech Pack isn’t the only piece that you need for manufacturing. You also need a pattern and a sewn sample. These three things are actually known as a Pre-Production Package. Spec Sheets are the pages within a tech pack. You might have several Spec Sheets, and this is commonly thought to be a tech pack, but without a pattern and sample, you leave yourself open to manufacturing errors and risk.
Q. What does a tech pack include, and why is it important?
A tech pack is the instruction manual for your garment. It includes measurements, fabric and trim specifications, stitch details, care labels, and any other information your manufacturer needs to reproduce your product accurately. Without a tech pack, you risk miscommunication and costly production errors.
Q. What if I already have a tech pack?
In most cases, what people call a ‘tech pack’ is actually only a few pages of a tech pack. These pages are called “spec sheets”. MADE can add these sheets to our version of the tech pack, so your prior efforts are not lost, but we will expand beyond what you have by at least 80%. Our tech pack will also be customized to your specific design (see below: Why Are Our Tech Packs Better?).
Q. I have patterns and tech packs; can I just get a tech pack?
Yes! Check out our Express Tech Pack service. If you are still proofing your design and need assistance perfecting the fit or function before manufacturing, we can help with our Pattern Review services to get you moving forward.
Q. Do I have to have a tech pack?
No, but the type of manufacturer you use will be limited, and you risk errors, inefficiencies and missed deadlines. Having an organized, professional tech pack:
Establishes an “instruction manual” of your product for reference at any time, such as staff changeover
Your design is in writing, so you have recourse if there are errors in production or if something doesn’t go to plan
Minimizes misunderstandings by having all your design information in a single document
Gives you some understanding of the development and production process to speak more intelligently about how your garment is made when selling to retailers or buyers
You own the rights to your pattern and have the flexibility to change manufacturers or use more than one manufacturer at a time.
You want to build or already have your own team of employees, suppliers, contractors and contacts or would like to set them up yourself
You can develop your design in stages prior to manufacture to help disperse costs and go at a more comfortable pace
Captures your potential manufacturers’ interest because it shows them you are organized and ready to produce
It’s the industry standard and looks professional!
Q. Why are our tech packs better?
There are many companies offering to build tech packs for rock bottom or really low pricing. They are able to do this by using “stock” patterns and sketches and filling in the remaining details with averages and generalities. This isn’t a bad start, but don’t mistake them for being a complete or comprehensive document, and worst of all, when you go to manufacture, you may not understand any of the information in them! At MADE, we build your idea from scratch and work directly with you to customize the information specific to your design. Once your pattern, sample and tech pack are complete, we meet with you to review the tech pack to ensure you understand each page. See our Sample Tech Pack, and if you still have questions, feel free to book a free 30-minute consultation to discuss more.
Q. What is virtual sampling?
Virtual sampling is a digital process used by designers and manufacturers to create 3D virtual prototypes of garments through the use of computer-aided design (CAD) software. This process simulates how the design will look and behave in different materials and represents how the product will fit on a range of body shapes and sizes without having to sew physical samples. This reduces the time, cost and material waste typically involved in the traditional product development process.
Q. What’s the difference between a prototype, a sample run, and a production sample?
Many early-stage entrepreneurs confuse these terms. A prototype helps refine function and design; a sample run gives you product for market validation and user testing; a production sample mirrors the final garment specs before mass manufacturing.
Q. Can I skip prototyping and go straight to production?
Prototyping is a critical step. Skipping it might seem like a way to save time and money, but it often leads to costly mistakes. Prototypes allow you to test materials, adjust design details, and check functionality. Without this stage, you risk producing hundreds of items that are made wrong, or fail to meet your expectations, leaving you with wasted inventory and lost investment.
Q. How do you ensure my product will fit my clients?
At Made Apparel Services, we use industry-standard Alvanon digital forms, to create accurate, scalable sizes that reflect real customer bodies. Whether you need graded sample sets or scaled production-ready files, we’ll make sure your sizing is reliable, consistent, and ready for manufacturing.
Q. How do I know which fabric is right for my product?
Choosing the right fabric can make or break your design. Factors like durability, stretch, breathability, washability, and texture all matter. At Made Apparel Services, we guide you through this process, helping you evaluate options that balance performance, cost, and style. We can also help with fabric sourcing so you’re not left guessing which material is best for your idea.
Costs & Timelines
Q. How much does it cost to develop a sewn product?
There are so many ideas and ways to produce them that pricing can vary, but the average total cost for a single tech pack usually starts at around $1500. This total is broken up into steps to more easily manage the cost (See How It Works). Every style is unique, and we can accommodate them all. Schedule a free 30-minute consultation and we can help narrow down your needs and focus your goals.
Q. How much does development typically cost?
The cost of development varies depending on the complexity of your design and how many you’re creating; however, a budget of at least $3,500 for development, and a total budget of $8,000 to $12,000 to launch your brand is not unusual. This should cover all your development cost plus some small batch manufacture in addition to other small business startup costs such as website creation, fabrics, marketing materials, and so on.
Q. How long does the whole process take?
From Step 1-Render to Step 3-Tech Pack (see How it Works), we generally need around 6 weeks (2 weeks for each step), but it all depends on your design and our schedule. Contact us as early as possible in your process, so we can be sure to meet your deadlines.
Q. How long does the sample development process take?
The timeline depends on the complexity of your design and how many you have. We can complete a project as quickly as 6 weeks, but on average, our clients move a little slower simply due to personal schedules, life events and budget. After your intake session, we’ll give you a clear estimate of how long it will take to complete your patterns, samples, and tech pack.
Manufacturing & Beyond
Q. Can I manufacture with MADE?
Yes! While our pre-production packages are accepted anywhere in the world, we can assist you with Manufacture Transfer, so you don’t have to sweat the details. We work with an elite group of local manufacturers that can do smaller batch quantities for those who are just starting out, or we can transition you to any manufacturer in the world for larger batch or unique manufacturing needs (such as working with neoprene or Kevlar). We can also create Sample Duplicates, for use as salesman samples, in photoshoots, user study groups or fit testing.
Q. Do you help with manufacturing or just development?
We support both! While our core focus is on product development—pattern making, sample sewing, and tech pack creation—we also support small-scale production in-house. We offer Sample Batch and On-Demand sewing services, tailored for clients who want prototype quantities or to fulfill orders without large inventory commitments. Additionally, we help with a smooth transition to larger-scale manufacturing through our Manufacture Transfer service, where we assist in prepping your project for outside factories and coordinate tech hand-off so you stay on track.
Q. How many samples should I create before launching my product?
First, we recommend creating a sewn sample to verify style, materials and construction. From there, graded sample sets (one per size) help confirm consistency and proportion across your size range. A small batch of 3–50 pieces can then act as your test inventory before a larger launch.
Q. Do you source materials and trims?
MADE can help you find what you need through our growing list of referrals and our expert guidance and tips; however, our clients don’t need large quantities, and your final manufacturer will likely source for you, so we use our time to work on your tech packs instead!
Are you ready to get started on your journey to developing your sewn product?
Book your free consultation with MADE Apparel Services today.