Specification Sheets

This is the first time when i am really putting a fashion collection together which requires spec sheets and visualizations for all designs. The spec sheets are used throughout the fashion industry and their purpose is to explain exactly how a garment is constructed. It enables a factory to be able to understand clearly what buttons, fabrics, shapes and stitch etc. you require.

I have seen examples of spec sheets from a presentation by Helen Latimer and they are very technical sheets with a lot of information and guidelines. they show a visualization of the garment with instructions about the construction of it.

I have been researching different opinions on how to design a spec sheet which is suitable for industry and found a very interesting forum on the subject at fashion industry network . One poster explained her method of creating one and it says,

"Spec sheets are important to monitor all aspects of your product. My pattern maker is inhouse, so my spec sheets are simplified- including a front and back sketch, brief description, sample size and photoshoot size needed, fabric swatches with fiber content info, lining and trim info along with group, season, delivery date, size range and style number. We use a separate size chart that includes standard measurements." Reply by Karen K on December 28, 2007

This is very useful information to me because I feel a lot more confident in creating a variety of industry standard sheets.

Below, are a few examples of different styles you can create a spec sheet in, it seems to me like they can give a flavour of your style just by the way the sheets are designed.