The Factory Should Build Your Product—Not Figure It Out.
Before You Choose a Clothing Manufacturer in Seattle
Replace assumptions with decisions through pattern development, sewn prototypes, pattern grading, tech packs, and support as you move into manufacture.
Why This Matters
Every product goes through a development process before it can be manufactured. Many founders begin by searching for a production partner before questions about materials, construction, sizing, and functionality have been fully answered.
When those questions remain unanswered, manufacturers must make assumptions. Product development exists to answer those questions before manufacturing begins, making the outcome more predictable and helping the final product better reflect what you intended to create. Every question you answer before choosing a manufacturer becomes one less decision the manufacturer has to make for you.
Is MADE the Right Fit for You?
Product development and manufacturing serve different purposes. Understanding where your project stands today can help determine whether MADE is the right next step.
MADE is a good fit if:
You have an idea, sketch, or rough sample and need help defining materials, construction, sizing, and product requirements.
You need a pattern developed.
You need sewn prototypes to evaluate fit, construction, or functionality.
You need a tech pack to communicate your product to a manufacturer.
You want experienced guidance before moving into manufacture.
You may not need MADE if:
You already have approved patterns, finished tech packs, and only need production.
You're looking for the lowest-cost, highest-volume manufacturer.
Your product is already fully developed and ready for manufacture.
What MADE Does
MADE is an apparel and sewn product development studio based in Renton, Washington.
Founded by Heather Zager, a former wearables product developer at Meta and current apparel development instructor at Seattle Central College, MADE helps founders prepare products for manufacture through pattern development, sewn prototypes, grading, tech packs, and manufacture support.
Manufacturers excel at producing products consistently. Our role is to help answer product questions before they become manufacturing problems.
Founders We've Helped
We've worked with founders developing apparel and sewn products across a wide range of industries, including consumer products, uniforms, medical garments, specialty equipment, outdoor gear, and accessories.
Support Beyond Development
Once your product development is complete, you may still need support as you begin putting that work into use.
For early sales, launches, photography, crowdfunding campaigns, or other initial needs, Small Batch Manufacture provides a way to have a limited number of products made without moving directly into larger-scale manufacturing.
As you begin working with a manufacturer, Founder Support provides ongoing guidance as you evaluate options, review samples, communicate feedback, and navigate questions or issues that come up during manufacture.
Why Work With a Local Seattle Studio
Unlike many professional services, apparel development involves physical products moving back and forth throughout a project. Materials, patterns, prototypes, and reference garments often move back and forth throughout a project. Working with a local Seattle-area studio can simplify that process by making it easier to review samples, exchange materials, and collaborate when in-person meetings are helpful.
MADE works with founders throughout Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Tacoma, Everett, and across the Puget Sound region. We also work remotely with founders nationwide, with approximately 60% of our clients shipping materials and samples to us from outside Washington.
What Does It Cost?
Development is typically completed one stage at a time, allowing you to spread costs throughout the project rather than committing to everything upfront. Most development projects can be completed for around $1,500 and up, depending on the complexity of the product and the services required.
Development services include:
Each project is estimated individually based on product complexity and development needs.
Have an Idea Worth Developing?
Bring us a sketch, pattern, rough sample, or a reference product and we'll help you identify what information is missing to better prepare your product for manufacture.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. You do not need to arrive with a finished pattern or tech pack. MADE can begin with an idea, sketch, reference product, early sample, or other information that helps communicate what you want to create. The development process then establishes the pattern, sewn prototype, sizing, and technical information needed to move toward manufacture.
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Yes. MADE is based in the Seattle area but works with founders throughout the United States. Much of the development process can be completed remotely, with samples, materials, and reference products shipped to the studio as needed.
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No. In many cases, creating those is part of the development process. Where your project begins depends on what has already been completed and what still needs to be established. If you already have patterns, samples, or technical documentation, MADE can review what exists and determine the appropriate next stage.
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Most individual development stages take approximately one to two weeks. The time from an initial idea to a sewn prototype depends on the complexity of the design, materials, revisions, and what information already exists. Many projects reach a first sewn sample within two to four months..
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No. MADE is not a high-volume manufacturer. MADE develops apparel and sewn products through pattern development, sewn prototyping, pattern grading, and technical documentation. For early sales, launches, photography, market validation, and other initial needs, limited quantities can be made through our Small Batch Manufacture service, but this is conside
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As few as you need. Some founders only need a single prototype. Others need a small quantity for testing, sales meetings, photography, market validation, or an initial launch.
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Yes. MADE can help identify manufacturers whose capabilities, quantities, and processes align with your product and production needs. Once you begin working with a manufacturer, Founder Support is available for ongoing guidance as you review samples, communicate feedback, and navigate questions or issues that come up during manufacture.