Start with a budget Plan Outline. Then you will know if the product is workable, how much you will need to spend. If you can (or should) afford to make the product the labour to Cut and Sew can be determined by simple process of elimination.

Any garment you plan to make, may be difficult to price compete when thinking – Made in Canada – especially for a small brand wholesale/distributor.

Here is what is recommended a product developer can do about that… This task, routinely given back to our customer – has become an important reality check that can help secure cooperation with any sewing contractor – the information is also helpful to pattern discussion and financial planning too.

This way you can shop the job,  by sharing the target cost of Labour up front, and learn real fast if the item is appropriate to your brand begins with understanding the components planned in Production.

We assume the garment is to be made – exactly as you imagine it should be done.

Then, ask these questions:

What is the Maximum Retail Value for the item you plan to produce?

Identify with the lowest price brand you will face as a competitor?

Compare the price Value equation as an understanding: What does the estimate Wholesale need to be for your offer to generate sales…Your business model may have flexibility for price averaging for profit (some units you sell at full Retail price) and the inventory you wholesale – may be considered surplus or special event, marketed for discount as a buy in incentive as long as there is some (any amount of profit) your wholesale margin can at times be very slim.

Do the numbers: What Brand position are you taking? (Some brands rarely go on sale) they stake claim to premium and stay there. The product is good so the price charged is respectable, Made in Canada.

Calculate the Budget and Generate a Product Plan Outline:

This is the “Workings” – your Job as Brand Manager/Designer.

Guesstimate: Allow (X) amount of cloth Example: (2.5) meters per (jacket).
Is the garment/Jacket lined….?

Or unlined…. (Take this as your $ cost – part 1)

Now – Plan your Fabric Buy – no cloth, nothing to cut, nothing to sew…

Purchase the best quality – of the lowest price fabric – Yes, this is possible…

Yes, you buy the cloth – that makes you the producer, Important to qualify if you ever plan for Export.

Make a list of components: the item will need per unit. (very important)

As Example: a plain Zipper (coil, brass, metal, nylon tooth other, we can supply – routine. Thread too.

Add Extra Cost Allowance: If, you order an inventory of Custom Zipper with embossed or engraved brand icon – the right choice of quality finishing accessory or surface treatment can drive sales…

You may want to specify we use some woven labels and other notion details such as branded buttons or snaps… this becomes an area worthy of capital investment useful to possibly more than one style#.

Evaluate importance of these findings if an allowance is given for moderate up front cost – your value add – as a special feature – for ideas visit the Direct Current Style – Notion Gallery – page.

Now your budget plan is generating a list of factors:

Sub Total the Above List: (stuff) Components – The Parts:

If that number has room for Sewing Labour – then you are on the right track.

The Simple Math looks like this:

Fabric (1) Main Fabric x (An Amount of Cloth per Garment )m.

Fabric (2) Lining x (An Amount of Cloth per Garment )m.

Snaps, Zippers, Woven Label, Other (Stuff):

Sub Total:
Ad buffer to Cost of goods for Some Packaging and Freight: $ An Amount – per garment packaging (ad poly bag + boxes)

LOOK at Your Profit line between Retail / wholesale and cost of goods (hey everyone wants to make some money)

Show the “Raw Material Guestimate as an Allowance”:

With story board Images (these you have supplied).

Review: the Target Retail?
Observe: the Target Wholesale?
The process of elimination yields: New Sub Total:
Your Budget for the Labour Factor is: X (Unknown) becomes obvious if the price plan needs to be adjusted. (or pass / don’t do it)

Getting Back to the Basic Parts… you will now know if what you want to make is workable – if proper fabric type can be found.

If your price model will support a reasonable wage rate for “Made in Canada” – the above will determine viability.

And, you need a Pattern? – Brand refined fit – A First of Run Sample – OK – when booking the business, Set aside: $500 for that part.

Is there enough cash on hand for 60 units? (20 x Med, 20 x Large, 20 x – XL)

Do you have access to Market via what Plan? Are you ready to go? Can you arrange preorder and increase volume or like crowd funding perks – supply fixture… to gain commitments and volume build the opportunity.

Spend when you are ready. Allow 3 months lead time from the ready point of supply – organize raw materials in advance for the first order.

To best generate a Labour Allowance – you need to know what the item is being made from and why.