Kathleen Fasanella is author of one of the fashion industry’s best resource books, The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing. Kathleen is a trained pattern maker with almost 4 decades of experience, and now owns a factory in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In this interview, she shares why speaking the right language can help factories and vendors take you seriously, how to make sure your production stays on track so you don’t get bumped out of line, and why designing isn’t always as glamorous as it can seem. You will learn: Less expensive and more effective alternatives to FIT or FIDM for technical design Why you may be more technically inclined than you think (hint: if you can sew, you are) The difference between a manufacturer and a sewing contractor How speaking the right language will help suppliers take you seriously Why you should only produce one style with a new factory The realities of being a designer, and why it’s not as glamorous as you think How to make sure your production stays on track and you don’y get bumped out of line for a bigger order Guest Info & Resources: Kathleen's Website: Fashion Incubator Kathleen's Book: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing El Centro College (Dallas) Seattle Community College LA Trade Tech Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer
Show Notes
Kathleen Fasanella is author of one of the fashion industry’s best resource books, The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing. Kathleen is a trained pattern maker with almost 4 decades of experience, and now owns a factory in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In this interview, she shares why speaking the right language can help factories and vendors take you seriously, how to make sure your production stays on track so you don’t get bumped out of line, and why designing isn’t always as glamorous as it can seem.
You will learn:- Less expensive and more effective alternatives to FIT or FIDM for technical design
- Why you may be more technically inclined than you think (hint: if you can sew, you are)
- The difference between a manufacturer and a sewing contractor
- How speaking the right language will help suppliers take you seriously
- Why you should only produce one style with a new factory
- The realities of being a designer, and why it’s not as glamorous as you think
- How to make sure your production stays on track and you don’y get bumped out of line for a bigger order
Creators and Guests
Host
Heidi Weinberg {Sew Heidi}
Heidi (aka Sew Heidi) is a self-taught freelance fashion designer who built a six-figure business without a degree, portfolio, or industry connections. After years of burnout in the fashion industry, she went freelance—and never looked back. Now, she helps other designers ditch toxic jobs, land better clients, and build flexible careers they love. Through her podcast, courses, and resources, Heidi has helped thousands of designers take control of their fashion path and finally get paid what they’re worth.
What is Fashion Designers Get Paid: Build Your Fashion Career On Your Own Terms?
This is a show for burnt-out fashion designers (and TDs, PDs, patternmakers, textile designer and beyond) who want more flexibility in their career while still doing work they love.
You'll learn how to build a freelance fashion business, so you can do the work you love on your own terms. Freelancing in fashion is the only way to get freedom in your day (instead of being tied to a desk).
Whether you want to earn extra money on the side, fund your fashion brand, or replace your salary, the FDGP podcast will help you get there. Listen in for actionable tips and strategies to kickstart or grow your career as a freelance fashion designer, build your confidence, and create the life you want.
Hosted by $100k+ fashion freelancer Sew Heidi, the show features interviews and strategy sessions with successful freelance fashion designers from around the world who've ditched toxic fashion jobs and taken control of their own destinies. This is the only place to get REAL insights from REAL freelancers who have built REAL careers on their own terms. (Formerly the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast.)