Index Expert Fit for the Home Sewer SizeUSA User Group Meeting Announced The Outer Limits in Digital Printing Technology [TC]² Activity Member Profile - Bella Materna Important Dates A Look Ahead

Bringing Better Fit to the Experienced Home Sewer

Kathryn Chase started her professional career as a chemical engineer, but always had dress making in her system. Growing up with a mother who insisted on dressing her three little girls alike, Chase quickly learned to sew her own clothes to reclaim her identity.

While in graduate school, Chase overheard her two daughters lamenting the trials and tribulations of finding blue jeans that fit. Fueled by her daughters’ distress, Chase began a search for the silver bullet… a method that would solve the riddles of fit.

She tried different methods but could never completely get away from the necessity of taking laborious manual measurements. Diligent research led her to [TC]². Now equipped with an NX-12 scanner and [TC]²’s 3D to 2D patternmaking software, Chase is charting a course in unchartered territory.

Chase, who calls her venture Scans for Sewing, attends trade shows collecting measurements and developing slopers for experienced home sewers in search of better fitting patterns. She is currently working on eighty slopers generated from scans using [TC]²’s NX-12 scanner. Chase finds the slopers “sleek and nice.”

Chase doesn’t know just where this adventure will take her. But with a patient husband, a high tech scanner, sloper generating software and a lot of momentum—interesting things are bound to happen.

[TC]²'s SizeUSA User Group Meeting Announced

June 28, 2006 – Cary, NC

The second SizeUSA User’s Group meeting will include [TC]²’s latest advances in measurement extraction enhancements for bust measurements designed to improve fit criteria for intimate apparel and swimwear. Segments will focus on made-to-measure clothing from men’s tailored garments to ladies’ swimwear. The agenda is being designed for SizeUSA license holders to share current information on uses of the data. Mark your calendar and plan to attend. To register, or for other details, click here.

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The Outer Limits in Digital Printing Technology
By Kim Anderson, Ph.D., writer/reporter for [TC]²

J.R. Campbell has no trouble thinking out of the proverbial “box.” In fact, Campbell is most comfortable pushing the envelope to the outer limits—especially when it comes to new technology. He has tackled digital printing with a vengeance and the output is impressive.

Campbell spent nearly seven years at Iowa State University collaborating with Dr. Jean Parsons, a consummate apparel designer. The two undertook a number of projects to explore the integration of digital printing into the apparel design process—scorching conventional ideas of design in the process.

Taking full advantage of the design opportunities digital printing offers, and unencumbered by a target market, Campbell and Parsons have explored “art-to-wear”—garments that are displayed in art exhibition settings.

Campbell and Parsons have designed some spectacular pieces. The piece entitled Transformation: Icarus, was digitally printed on wool gabardine. The garment was created from a double-sided circular shaped fabric, and is designed to be worn as a long jacket.

Transformation: Icarus

Shown below is a more recent piece, created in 2005 and printed on silk habotai.

Transformation: Icarus II, Digitally printed wearable art piece

The piece entitled Oops, Sorry, was recently shown in Glasgow at Digital Perceptions. The base fabric is a jersey constructed with viscose yarns. Campbell explains that part of the challenge was getting the strong orange color that he wanted.

Oops, Sorry

Exploring different color gamuts and color matching was the impetus for the piece entitled I Still Can’t Find It.

I Still Can’t Find It

Campbell currently holds a position at The Centre for Advanced Textiles (CAT). CAT is one of six designated research centers at the Glasgow School of Art. CAT is dedicated to researching digital textile printing technology. This summer, Jean Parsons will be teaming up with Campbell and his colleagues to offer a workshop entitled Digital Textile and Product Design. The workshop targets academics, advanced students and working professionals in textiles, apparel and interior design. To find out more about CAT go to http://www.catdigital.co.uk.

If you don’t anticipate a trip to Glasgow, Scotland anytime in the near future, we invite you to visit [TC]² in Cary, North Carolina to see digital printing in action. For more information on digital printing capabilities at [TC]², visit www.inkdropboutique.com.

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[TC]² Activity

[TC]² Welcomes 2006 Summer Student Interns

Renewing its highly acclaimed student internship program, [TC]² is preparing to welcome this summer’s student interns. Chosen by the Human Resources Leadership Council of the American Apparel and Footwear Association, this year’s student interns are: Marluy Andrade, Florida State University; Melissa Essenpreis, Western Kentucky University; Ashley Jackson, North Carolina State University; Margaret Lahti, University of Wisconsin-Stout; Jennifer Lerczak, Michigan State University; Katherine Minor, University of Missouri-Columbia; Lorraine Nichols, Cal Poly Pomona; Bronica Richardson, Lindenwood Fashion Design & Merchandising; Adrienne Waller, Baylor University; and Zalina Withem, Eastern Michigan University. Commencing on May 30th, the eight-week program includes an in-depth study of the latest product development technologies, industry supply chain issues, and business planning concepts. It is delivered in a hands-on learning environment which allows students to take what they learn back to their respective classrooms.

“After a five year cessation, we are launching a revamped intern program for this year,” comments Jim Lovejoy, Director of Industry Programs at [TC]². “We are developing new program content in keeping with the nature of the sewn products industry requirements that students will encounter upon graduation next year.”

AAFA Supply Chain Leadership Committee Meets

The Supply Chain Leadership Committee (SCLC) met jointly with the AAFA Information Systems Committee at Marco Island, Florida last week. After an opening presentation on “What’s Hot in Washington” by Steve Lamar of AAFA, the group dove into the technology and logistics around export distribution centers and product lifecycle management.

Gail Weisenfeld, Vice President of Planning and MIO for Federated Department Stores, talked about what Federated is doing to adjust size prepacks with vendors to better meet consumer sizes in each class of Macy’s stores. She is introducing these changes in the supply chain to benefit both the retailers and vendors.

Professor Marshall Fisher from Wharton presented “How to Decide What to Produce When You Don’t Know What Your Customer Will Buy?” He discussed a case study on how Obermeyer improved sales and forecasting in 800 stores using techniques such as probabilistic break-even analysis. Having the right product availability is based on accurate forecasting, a responsive supply chain and inventory.

The fall meeting of the SCLC will be in Washington, DC on October 26-27. If you have any interest in joining the committee, visit www.apparelandfootwear.org for details.

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Member Profile

Bella Materna is the premier source for luxury nursing and maternity essentials. The company’s mission is to design and create sophisticated styles and beautifully crafted designs that celebrate a woman’s changing body during this amazing phase of her life - pregnancy.  With girlfriends who were expecting or new moms frustrated with shopping for maternity and nursing lingerie and with an astonishingly low number of retailers offering choices, Bella Materna brought to the marketplace something for those women wanting to celebrate the way a woman feels about her  body during its changing phases.

Launched in 2000 with an exclusive line of panties that fit just under the belly, The Bella Materna collection expanded in 2003 to include nursing bras, camisoles, sleepwear, transition, workout and loungewear – all designs reflecting the belief that women grow more beautiful during pregnancy and nursing, and what they wear should enhance, not hide, this loveliness.  Located in Seattle, Washington, Bella Materna focused on research and development until 2003 when it launched the core of its Maternity and Nursing pieces.  This core focus was drawn to the Nursing market since the need there is was great, and the need in the market remains strong. 

With twenty some years of fashion design experience, Bella Materna set out to create the most compelling maternity line on the market.  That’s just what happened.  Not only  stylish, Bella Materna products are made from high quality, imported Italian Nylon/Lycra® and French Lace.  All of the products are made in the United States, with two factory locations; one in Seattle and the other in Los Angeles.  Bella Materna is also continually working to improve the value and quality of its products for the customer. 

Although the Bella Materna staff find it fulfilling to be able to offer products that can actually make a difference in the world, and help new mothers be a little happier in this new way of life, they find satisfaction even more in knowing they are giving woman in today’s expecting world something beautiful to wear.  Using intrinsic elements of style, design, fit and comfort, Bella Materna has revolutionized the nursing bra, proving that fashion and function can beautifully coexist. The nursing line is designed with discreet and easy access, yet is stylish, versatile and flattering during the pregnancy and post pregnancy phases.

Bella Materna has recently partnered with [TC]²,  to enable this designer-owned company to firm up the administrative end of the business.  Anne Dimond, President, says that, “We now have four major goals we are focusing on this year: customer retention, budget, systems and increasing margin through qualified projections.”  [TC]² will be able to assist the company in achieving these goals through this new partnership , and help Bella Materna continue its path to even more innovative success.

For more information, please visit www.bellamaterna.com.

Seeks CAM Engineer (Computer Aided Manufacturing)

This position is based in the Lectra Call Center in Marietta (Atlanta) Georgia. It will be responsible for direct customer interaction
and trouble-shooting, assisting Lectra Customers and Lectra technical personnel for CAM-related service and application
issues received by the North America Call Center, in English and Spanish. Duties and responsibilities include: technical trouble-shooting and systems analysis; contacting customers to resolve issues by phone, fax, e-mail or by direct computer link; providing assistance on CAM applications issues. Education and experience: Four-year Degree, preferably in Electrical, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering or Engineering Technology; FLUENT IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH; Experience with Computer Aided Manufacturing and/or Robotics software and hardware. E-mail resumes to: hr.usa@lectra.com referencing CAM Engineer in the Subject heading.

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Important Dates

May

June

For detailed information about industry events, visit www.techexchange.com

Thanks to the techexchange site sponsors Apparel Magazine, Gerber Technology, Intentia, Lectra and Methods Workshop.

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A Look Ahead in the Newsletter

Body Scanning Research
Novaptus Systems, Inc.

View previous editions of this newsletter

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