Gaining Ground

officially filed for my LLC today, as Rockin' B Design (tm), LLC. I've been operating under a sole proprietorship for the past few years, so I see this as a very positive step for Rockin' B. I've also been hard at work getting back into patternmaking and sample making now that our wedding is over; I've decided to release a batch of 4 garments as my first cohesive line. I think 4 is a solid number to work with - focusing on 2 dresses and 2 skirts. I'm staying away from jackets and tops in general for now, as there are already PLENTY of western wear companies out there churning out shirts, blouses, jackets... you get the picture. I would love to add a solid jacket design to my line in the future, but for now I'm going to focus on items that are not readily available in the current western wear market.

Good plan? I think so.

Currently on my cutting table is the Dale Western Wiggle skirt, aka RB style# 120002. Though I LOVE naming my garments, I know that style numbers are the way to go professionally. I've been working from the beginning on establishing a good numbering system, keeping in line with Kathleen Fasanella's advice over at Fashion-Incubator. Production pattern standards are honestly so time saving, they are keeping me sane and my workroom much more organized. By the way, I urge everyone out there who's even thinking about launching a design or manufacturing business to purchase Kathleen's book - I received my copy as a graduation gift from my mom 2 years ago (I asked for it!), and it has been INVALUABLE to me as I've been scheming planning the growth of Rockin' B Clothing as a serious design business.

I hope to have more info and perhaps a preview of #120002 up within a day or two. The sample is turning out nicely, I haven't had much time to work on it while juggling all of the IRS forms for the LLC. But hey - progress is progress!