Craft Focus - Apr/May (Issue 72)

83 BUSINESS ADVICE Sewing trends for summer 2019 Fashion is an important part of running a modern dressmaking or sewing shop and it’s useful to be aware of trends in style, colour and print. Pinterest, the fashion press and Instagram are all great sources of inspiration to ensure that your business is stocking the right fabrics and patterns. Key trends this summer include bleached denim, tie-dye prints, head-to-toe neutrals, bold and clashing florals and very usefully for sewing retailers, craftwork and fringing. These can give you a steer on fabric and colour choices to add to your stock. In addition to headline items, make sure you carry a range of basics too. WHAT’S HOT Essentials to consider include linen and the newer linen/rayon mix, which offers the same look with a softer drape. High quality cotton poplins and lawns in a variety of fresh prints are always popular. Summer is the time for lighter and more fluid fabrics such as rayon and batistes, which often come in a floral print. Cotton sateen is a lovely substrate for the warmer months, with a little more substance and a soft and breezy appearance. Brocade is also becoming fashionable, providing a rich look that is perfect for statement garments. Denim is set to be big this year, especially light coloured and bleached versions. Sewing jeans is now very popular, so it’s always worthwhile stocking a good selection of suitable material. Don’t forget to offer a selection of jeans patterns and notions including buttons, rivets, zips and of course, topstitch thread. Cotton/lycra jersey is another basic, as everyone wants a great range of t-shirts and tops in their wardrobe. Jerseys are available in solids, prints and of course yarn-dyed stripes, which are ideal for a timeless Breton. Don’t forget to include sweatshirt and lightweight knits for those extra layers needed in a British summer. SINK OR SWIM For the more ambitious, a small range of swimwear supplies is also worth considering. Stitching swimming garments is becoming more popular and has even been featured on The Great British Sewing Bee. There are some wonderful patterns available for suits and bikinis, as well as fun fabric designs. A new season is always a good time to refresh your stock of dressmaking patterns. If you do not currently offer any, independent patterns are a great place to start. These are very popular with consumers, with low minimum quantities and minimal inventory cost. This means you can change the range on a regular basis to keep up with current trends. Seasonality is now so important at Hantex that we use it as a way of categorising each pattern. Summer is a great time to promote simple garments both for beginners and more experienced dressmakers, so stock up on patterns for basic t-shirts, sweatshirts, simple dresses and don’t forget the shorts! Jacqui Smith explains how to update your seasonal inventory Jacqui Smith is director of Hantex. hantex.co.uk “Denim is set to be big this year, especial ly light coloured and bleached versions. Sewing jeans is now very popular, so it’s always worthwhile stocking a good selection of suitable material. “