Last week I met with a local sew shop to discuss the Bicycle Wrap Skirt project. To keep things moving along, the next step in my process is to get my professional pattern made and have marketing samples created so that I can use them in photoshoots, my Kickstarter video, and to take with me to any popup shops or events (so you guys can try them on!). I've also been going over some of the design details, which will be altered or modified in some way before it's finalized.
I want to be sure that the first available version of the skirt (there will be more versions later) is affordable even while it's sustainable and ethically made here in the USA. This means that the cost of labor (and materials) will largely affect my final design decisions. But not to worry, if the first one is "simplified" for affordability reasons, there will be more lux versions later on and special add-ons to style it up. All of this said, it's still function first!
The weather has been phenomenal here in Savannah, so today I rode my bike down to drop off my current sample, materials, and the pattern pieces that Katie used to make the first model of the skirt. I just love using my bike to run business errands! Even though I always arrive breathless and overheated, I feel energized and clear headed - the best way to be for project discussions. :)
It's exciting to get the design finalized finally, and Adrienne over at Stitch has been hugely helpful already with some time-saving suggestions to cut down on my labor costs and ideas about how to make certain aspects even more durable - that's what I'm talking about! In two weeks I should have a finalized pattern, a modified sample, and hopefully, be ready to move forward on sample production.
In the meantime, I'm going to throw this out again, since the suggestions so far have been spot on - I'm still researching commuter focussed bike shops and sustainable women's boutiques in DC, Richmond, Raleigh, Charlotte, Asheville, Charleston, Atlanta, and anywhere in the vicinity (think road trip) of those places really. Tips and suggestions have been wonderful thus far, so if you know of any shops I should contact for pop up events, please let me know!