Entrepreneurial vs Consumer Mentalities

The owner and CEO of multi-million dollar clothing 
brand FUBU started his company  
sewing caps in his mother's kitchen. 

Intellectuals in the Black community have often expressed the need for members of the African American community to start their own businesses and engage in group economics.  Small businesses create income opportunity and decrease our dependence on others to give us jobs. In competing against large corporations, one is emboldened by ample access to many internet venues which help to level the playing field. A small operation is often more able to provide better customer service with a more personal approach to doing business. An added benefit is the lowered financial risk of an online business. You need not invest a large sum of money nor quit your day job while starting up.

Every year the fashion industry cranks out tons of foreign, mass-produced, inexpensive clothing.  Finding a niche within a saturated market is often the key to making a living in any business. To develop an entrepreneurial mind you must think outside the box.

Someone with a consumer mentality would say:

 "Why go to the trouble of making a durag when I can just get one online for about $2.00?"

An entrepreneurial mentality studies a market, he finds where his product might be needed or desired and he thinks (for example):    

• "I could get my friend Alice to sew up a few blank durags. Then I will paint my tattoo designs on them and offer them for sale at the swap meet."
• "This basic durag pattern needs a little adjustment so I can sew a hat onto the top. That will keep people from losing their sunhats in the wind when they are at the beach.
•  "Maybe that new cafeteria on the corner would like to buy some of these durags with their logo on it for their cooks and waiters to look really sharp."
• "I should offer these for sale online to people who are looking for a nice gift for a friend who likes gardening or cooking, maybe I could add a matching apron."
• "I can improve this durag pattern and sell a different version."
• "The community center may like me to teach a class on how to sew a durag."
• "I'm going to use a different fabric than the one suggested in the pattern instructions. I need one with more elasticity." 

Aaron Henry saw a market for his product and invented the Tsurag,  Inventor Oladele Levi Adejare actually decided to patent his durag. Perhaps he is looking for an associate to market his idea to the public. The owner and CEO of the multi-million dollar clothing brand FUBU started his company sewing caps in his mother's kitchen in the mornings while waiting tables nights at Red Lobster.  Try your hand at clothing design and get a durag sewing pattern!

Check out one consumer who decided to turn her love for nails into a business:  Stay Ready Studio in Houston, Texas.

Beauty vs Comfort. Why not both?

Vortex Technique Masterclass Online

Too many budding designers want to skip the mathematics and geometry of design and jump straight into the "fun part".  But it is not likely that you will last long in fashion design without learning at least the boring basics. Here is an example of what I mean. When I first began to design, I made two gorgeous dresses for my stepdaughters. I spent a week almost non-stop working to have the dresses finished in time for a holiday party that we were to attend. I had noticed some flaws in the dresses when they had tried them on before week's end but - without any knowledge about darts and other patternmaking basics for adjusting design to body type - I had no idea how to resolve them. I may as well have been blindfolded during the fitting process.
    The day of the party finally arrived. The girls were chatting excitedly as they made themselves up. Custom made dresses! But the excitement began to fade when my first girl shimmied into her gold and black satin A-line dress.  Beautiful when it was still on the hanger, the dress now made my sweet, innocent 14-year-old stepdaughter look pregnant. Sibling rivalry took hold, "Look at the front flying out!" her sister laughed at her. But now it was her turn. She confidently slipped into her own sparkly strapless cocktail dress. "My boobs feel like they are falling out." she whined, wide-eyed, looking to me for a solution.
     "It is late." I answered, almost in denial. "We've got to get going." I secretly hoped these wardrobe malfunctions would somehow magically disappear by the time the party started. For the rest of the evening one girl had her hand on her belly and people kept asking her if she had a tummy ache. The other spent the entire party looking down to make sure her boobs were in place and spent most of the time tugging her dress up.
     Apparel design involves more than just a pretty outcome. The wearer of your creation must also be comfortable and feel confident. Once you have learned the basics of patternmaking you will find that not only will your designs be more comfortable to wear and fit more gracefully. The architectural concepts of basic patternmaking lend to modification and enhancement in order to create beauty in a garment as well.  Your creativity will be set free. You will not be stuck wondering HOW to make a creation functional.  Shingo Sato is a master at this, transforming basic patterns and going way outside the box. Consider enrolling in one of his 3 or 5 day TR Patternmaking seminars, held in Milan or Melbourne. There is also an online masterclass. Note: Although not required, it is suggested you have basic patternmaking skills before you enroll.  Next sessions September 2013. Shingo Sato - TR Cutting School

Drape Patternmaking: Lesson 1 How To

Tutor Couture gives you your first lesson in draping a bodice. Draping is the more intuitive way to make patterns. For a perfect fit drape it right on your client's body rather than on the dress form.

How to Draft a Basic Pant

Thank you for your patience.  I have finally uploaded the written tutorial How to Draft a Basic Pant Pattern.  Stay tuned for the video tutorials on basic pant drafting and transformations into shorts, cigarette pants, bellbottoms, capris and any other imaginable form a pant can take!
(If the above link does not work copy and paste this URL:  http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-draft-basic-pant-pattern-0126850/
More:
Take Your Measurements
Draft a Bodice
Draft a Skirt

How to Make a Basic Bodice

Written Instructions with Diagrams: http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-draft-basic-bodice-pattern-0120717/
See  "how-to" videos:

  Draft a Basic Bodice,  Convert Bodice into Blouse,  Rotate a Shoulder Dart