Walking the Walk

During the conceptual phase of this project, we were focused on two things: comfort ; made in the usa ; and oh yeah, we want to be as green as we can about it.

The comfort part has been a very fun, creative effort.  Move a seam here. Try a different fabric. What about this kind of stitching? What do you mean there's no machine that does that type of stitching in this country? We've all learned a ton in a very short amount of time.

The problem we're finding, which we've all heard a million times on the news, is that there's very little manufacturing in this country anymore.

So, how do you really stay green and carbon neutral when you have to import everything?
Ok, so we settle for textiles that are greenly produced and reached out to bluesign to see if they have a product certification process we could receive for our product.
And to put it on a boat to get here, you have to order 1000's of whatever-you're-buying as a minimum.
Ok, so we look at our funding differently or should we look at other materials. Oh but those materials aren't so environment friendly.

Round and round we go. Some of these I can talk myself in and out of, all day.


We're constantly re-negotiating decisions with ourselves in order to remain focused in the same direction - maybe not the direction we would have exactly defined, but certainly the same spirit.


But there have been lots of Aha Moments.
THATs what a marker /grader does. 
The fabric isn't cut by machine but by hand? OH.
Oh so THIS is why its hard to say Made in the USA.
(Btw, we're doing it, but make no mistake, its difficult.)


And really, you do need a model to figure out the fit and see how it looks on a live person rather than your sketchbook.  If your pattern is screwed , then so are you.

The good part is that the sewing contractors and suppliers we've been introduced to (thank you very much Boaz!) have been excellent. Very timely and responsive. Our pattern is being made as we type.
:)
It's very exciting to see something you drew turn into something you wear. Final product - Anti Chafe Swimwear for Boys and Men!