Please Note: This session allows you entry to the "Prototype to Production: Mastering Sample Evaluation and Factory Communication" Workshop only on Day 2, July 30, 2026, from 12:45 PM - 2:45 PM. This is an Exclusive Rate Available only to attendees of Texworld NYC, Apparel Sourcing NYC, Home Textiles Sourcing, and Printsource.

In this advanced two-hour workshop, you will move beyond creation and into the critical phases of factory collaboration: evaluating the physical prototype and setting final production standards. Xochil Herrera, President and Founder of The Chicago Pattern Maker, will teach you how to review, document and communicate with your factory so that you can move from sample to production with confidence.

What You'll Master in Part II

We will delve into the nuances of the garment sampling process, including how to conduct a thorough sample review and fitting session. You'll learn how to accurately document and communicate necessary revisions back to your factory, focusing on eliminating costly errors related to fit, construction, and materials like fabric hand, shrinkage, and color fastness.

The workshop will cover the following key areas:

• The Sample Review Process: Learn how to evaluate samples (P1, P2, etc.) for fit, function, finishing, and fabrication against your tech pack specifications and industry standard tolerances.
• Identifying and Correcting Fit Issues: Discover professional methods for conducting a fit session, analyzing pattern pieces, and documenting precise corrections for issues like sleeve length, body tightness, and seam placement.
• Setting Production Standards: Understand the distinction between various production samples (Sew-by, PP, TOP) and how to finalize the tech pack for bulk manufacturing, including care labels, hangtags, and packaging.

Key Takeaways

Evaluating Samples and Communicating with your Factory Learn precise methods for inspecting factory samples against the original tech pack, focusing on fit, measurements, and construction. Master how to clearly document any discrepancies (e.g., incorrect seam type, off-spec measurements, material deviation) and use professional terminology to communicate necessary revisions back to the factory effectively.

Resolving Fit and Quality Issues for Production Focus on the critical steps to resolve all identified fit issues and material defects (e.g., color fastness, shrinkage) during the sample review process. Understand how to update the tech pack with acceptable tolerance ranges for the approved Pre-Production (PP) sample to ensure all bulk units consistently meet your brand standards. You'll learn how to cross-reference the final product against your specifications to identify and correct any discrepancies.