Swimwear

Custom Made Swimwear.

(03-05-05). No Minimums. In- House UK Production. We offer  high quality, custom made  swimwear and bikini production. We provide high quality sampling and production for mens and ladies swimwear.

We started life in 1984  as  fashion business consultants, providing pattern cutting and sampling services to some of the most prestigious names in UK fashion, as well as small businesses and  startup brands.

Our fully equipped  London factory produces small batch manufacturing, and sample development for established swimwear brands and new labels.

Our clients can choose our comprehensive start to finish service, including design, pattern cutting, grading, tech packs, sourcing, quality control, project management and production – Along with expert help and guidance every step of the way. Or they can pick and mix our services.

 

No Minimum Order Quantity. 

Many of our clients are new swimwear brands, looking for  a trusted UK swimwear factory that offers sampling and small production runs.

We specialise in high end  small volumes, and do not have a minimum order quantity.

If you need larger quantities, we  work with some excellent swimwear factories, both in the UK and overseas.

Custom Design.

As one of the few private label swimwear manufacturers in the UK, we provide a  custom made swimwear design service. We  use either your own designs, or styles created by our design team to your requirements.

If you just have a rough sketch, or no sketch at all, our design team can produce technical sketches and tech packs following your design direction. Nothing could be easier for a new swimwear brand.

Swimwear Fabrics.

We keep a limited amount of swimwear fabric in stock for new brands who would like to see their designs made up. Once the first samples are made, we can then advise on the best fabrics for the final production run. Alternatively, we provide a fabric sourcing service.

Specialist  Machinery.

Swimwear is an area of clothing that requires in depth knowledge of stretch fabrics, body shape and garment construction. And specialist machinery.

There are very few  swimwear factories left in the UK with the necessary skills and machinery to produce high quality garments for private labels.

We are a one stop shop, providing a comprehensive service for established  designers and startup brands. We have the specialist expertise and machinery needed for high quality production.

Swimwear is the type of niche area of clothing that has tremendous potential for growth. It  is ideal for the small startup  as there is little competition, costs are comparatively low and the garments are compact, so easy to produce, store and transport.

 

EMAIL emile@thelondonpatterncutter.co.uk   EMILE

 

U.K.  Production Vs Offshore Production.

We advise all our new swimwear business clients to manufacture  in the UK –  No matter how cheap and inviting offshore production may appear. There are almost no exceptions to this for the beginner.

It is only worth opting for offshore manufacture if you want to produce large quantities. But if you are a new or small business you are unlikely to want those large quantities just yet.

If you do want larger runs, then your options are fairly limited within the UK.

Get your feet under the table first. Get a feel for how things work. Learn the terminology. Start with just a few designs, with small runs. Develop your style and your branding. Retain some control.

Startup Swimwear Brands.

We work with many  startup brands to assist with swimwear product development. We only offer small scale production runs.

 

You may be lucky with your offshore production, but chances are you will not be, unless you have some idea what you are doing, or you work with someone who has.

If you do decide to opt for offshore production, then we would strongly suggest that you do your pattern and sample development within the UK. And make sure that you give the factory a tech pack. We can do this for you if you like.

It is inadvisable for  inexperienced people to go abroad without the best expert advice and mentoring. It is very difficult to rectify any mistakes in production once you have paid for and received the finished garments.

We suggest that, initially at least, you stay in the UK, start with small scale production runs with just a few designs. Yes, it may be more expensive, but it will be hugely beneficial in the long run.

Learn how things work, understand the special terminology, see where things could go wrong, then when you have built up the necessary experience and knowledge, you will have the absolute confidence to go abroad. We will be happy to assist and advise you.

 

Beginners Welcomed

Clients can come to us from all around the UK, with absolutely no experience, while we work with them from concept to production.

We actively encourage our clients  to be involved as much as possible in the process, so that they keep costs to a minimum, learn how the process works, and pay only for the services that they need.

We offer expert advice and we  run  specialist workshops  for clients who would like to increase their knowledge of how to run a swimwear fashion business.

Check our How To Start A Swimwear Brand page.

 

Do You Need a Tech Pack ?

Unlike most swimwear production units, we dont need you to supply us with a tech pack. We have our own experienced tech pack designers on hand to work with you in creating professional tech packs.

We do of course need the relevant information to manufacture your designs to your exact specifications, but we can do this by working closely with  you.

If we have provided the patterns and samples, we would collect the relevant information in the process. Once the sampling process has been completed, we can then provide accurate tech packs as required.

If you are considering overseas production, then it is vital that you do have a tech pack. We will be happy to provide this for you. We dont recommend overseas production unless you really know what you are doing, or you are working through

 

Services Offered

We offer a comprehensive range of services provided by fashion professionals and technologists. You only need to pay for the services that you need.

You can also work alongside  our fashion professionals if that works for you. Services we offer include :-

  • Design
  • Technical Flat Drawings
  • Sourcing Fabrics And Trims
  • Pattern Cutting
  • Pattern Cutting Tuition
  • Sampling
  • Grading
  • Tech Pack Design
  • Garment Costing
  • Consultation
  • Garment Technician
  • Swimwear Startup  Workshop
  • Small Production Runs
  • Mentoring And Advice

 

One Piece Or Bikini

Ladies swimwear  is divided into two main categories : The one-piece, or swimsuit, and the two-piece, or bikini. Early bathing suits for ladies  were more like outerwear than what we would regard as swimwear.

In the 1920`s swimming began to be regarded as a legitimate leisure activity. And specific swimwear clothing began to be popular. Swimwear has become increasingly close fitting.

Historically men were active bathers and swimmers, while women were more passive.  Womens swimwear styles were based on outerwear.

 

 Pattern Cutting.

We have some excellent experienced swimwear pattern cutters for both mens swimwear and ladies swimwear. Making patterns for swimwear  is more than just getting the fit right.

There is as much going on inside the garment as the outside. Understanding swimwear construction is every bit as important as getting the fit right.

 

Designing For Different Shapes.

The main high street fashion brands tend to cater for a very small section of the population with average sizes and average shapes. That leaves a lot of body types that are not catered for.

We produce a lot of swimwear for women of different shapes, sizes. and body types.  Obtaining the perfect fit is as important as the overall design of the product. Designing and fitting for a slim athletic figure is different to designing and fitting for a full busted figure.

 

Sampling.

in order to produce professional  swimwear samples it is essential to have special swimwear machinery, threads and attachments. Most importantly, is the need for experienced swimwear sample machinists. There may be around forty different pieces in every swim outfit. These pieces need to be put together correctly to form the finished garment.

 

Start-ups

Swimwear  is a great area for new start-ups to get involved in as there is not a great amount of competition and while it is essential to have access to knowledgeable technicians and factories, once you have these connections the job should be plain sailing.

Halter Neck Bra Pattern

Pattern for halter neck swimwear top

There are very few  swimwear  specialists in the U.K. whether pattern cutters, graders, or factories. And they tend to be really busy as their skills are very sought

While experienced  swimwear pattern cutters are hard to find, so too are specialist swimwear factories. We work with a number of these  factories and we can create your swimwear samples and advise on fabrics and trims etc.

There are three main types of ladies swimwear pattern shapes – bikini, one piece and thong. While the cut and lengths may change, and the fabric design may change, ladies swimwear does not change significantly from style to style.

 

Swimwear Startup Workshops.

We have had tremendous demand from swimwear startup entrepreneurs, often with no experience in fashion or the swimwear industry at all.  They require patterns, grading, samples and production. They are desperate for advice on fabrics, trims and sourcing as well as garment production.

To help provide these startups with the basic help they desperately  needed we introduced  our one-to-one swimwear startup workshops.  These are short intensive workshops conducted either face to face, or online. They are tailored specifically for your own business, and  have been hugely popular with our clients. They are designed to supply all the information  needed to get you started.

You will be advised by highly experienced professionals who will also work with you if you decide to use our other services such as pattern making, grading, sampling and small production runs.

We can help you to produce working drawings and detailed sketches that will enable the pattern cutter to make your professional factory ready patterns for the sample machinist to sew.

 

We do highly recommend these specialist workshops for anyone  interested in starting a swimwear business, or who has a small swimwear business up and running. It is vital to get a basic overview  of how everything works. And to learn the little tricks and tips that help you succeed.

 

EMAIL emile@thelondonpatterncutter.co.uk    EMILE