I got another response to my bid solicitation (see postings here and here) which I’ve reprinted below. Please note that yet another pattern maker has referred us to her pattern grader. Although many designers are surprised to learn that pattern makers hire each other, you shouldn’t be by now.
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Dear Kathleen–
I was forwarded your email regarding grading prices from Laura at Laura Moore and would like the opportunity to respond to it.
My name is Paul Cavazza and I am the owner of Create-A-Marker, Inc. in NYC. We are an actual Grading and Marking Service and have been in business for over 10 years. To first give you a price for a shirt w/ no matching, the minimum charge would be $12 per size…so if you are grading size S-XL (4 sizes), it would be $12 x 4= $48 for grading. Now, if you also need a marker, it would be $12 per size for marking. Your total cost for both grading and marking would be about $100 or lower. I don’t know where $960 comes from at all!!
I would love the opportunity to speak with you about our part of the fashion industry. I have been in this business all of my life. My grandparents and my parents both had sewing factories and a cutting room so I learned at an early age about the construction of a garment.
I have forwarded to you our profile about what we offer to our customers. We do business with small and large companies ( a lot of start-ups start off small and then grow to be larger companies) and we do budget to couture garments. Some of our customers are Marc Jacobs, Rogan, Proenza Schouler, Behnaz Sarapour, Calvin Klein and Alvin Valley to name a few.
I would love to get information out there about our part of the industry…one of the few areas that are still done here in the U.S. I can be reached in my office at (212) 730-5615 if you would like to further contact me or please email me. I look forward to future conversations with you and hope that I have been of some help to you.
Sincerely,
Paul Cavazza
President
Systems used Lectra, Gerber and Polygon
256 West 38 Street
New York, New York 10018
Tel# 212-730-5615
Fax# 212-730-5616
Email
Update on pattern makers
The previous entries to the pattern grading and making series are here, here and here. I asked a company I use for grading to submit a quote. I’ve been very pleased with the service which has been professional, expeditious and…
I am a fashion design student and looking to start shopping my collection of garments to buyers etc. But would first off like to work with an experienced pattern maker on some of the patterns and altering the “FIT” of things…Cam someone rec a person and that is not too costly? Also whats the first thing i need to do in order to be able to produce them professionally. Thank you.