What does Fashion Threads do?
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Fashion Threads is a UK-based clothing manufacturer and production partner helping fashion brands develop and manufacture their collections. I work with start-ups and established brands, supporting everything from design, technical development, fabric sourcing and sampling through to production.
I produce clothing and textile products for babies, children and adults, including streetwear, fitness wear, outerwear, knitwear, nightwear, cargos, T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, jackets and more. If you have something specific in mind, it’s always worth asking.
Do you manufacture clothing in the UK?
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Fashion Threads is based in the UK, with locations in Hove, East Sussex and Maldon, Essex. We manage clothing development and production from the UK and work with established overseas manufacturing partners to produce garments. This allows us to offer UK-based communication and project management while accessing specialist manufacturing capabilities overseas.
What is your minimum order quantity?
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Our minimum order depends on the type of garment and production route. Premade garments can be ordered from 5 units, while bespoke production generally starts from 100 units per style/colour split across four sizes. We'll advise you on the most suitable option for your collection.
Do you work with fashion startups?
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Yes. Fashion Threads works with fashion startups, emerging labels and established brands. We understand that new brands often need smaller production quantities and guidance through the development process, so we can discuss the most appropriate route for your collection and budget.
Can you help me design my clothing collection?
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Yes. Fashion Threads can support the development of a collection from the initial idea through to production. Depending on what you need, this can include design development, garment specifications, fabric sourcing, technical packs, sampling and manufacturing.
Do you create tech packs?
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Yes. I believe the tech pack is one of the most important stages of the production process. It is the document that communicates your garment to the factory, so getting the detail right at this stage can make a big difference to the finished product.
Creating a good tech pack is a collaboration between me and the client. I ask questions, make suggestions and guide you through the details we need to establish, but I also give you some homework! The more we understand about the garment at this stage, the clearer the instructions are for the factory and the smoother the sampling and production process is likely to be.
I create detailed technical packs covering the specifications needed for production, including measurements, construction, fabrics, trims, colours, labels, artwork and finishing requirements.
I don’t believe a good tech pack should be rushed. Some companies offer very quick, low-cost tech packs, but I spend time working through the details properly and getting to know the garment we are creating. My tech packs can take several days to develop, depending on the complexity of the garment, because I want to make sure the factory has clear and accurate information to work from.
That extra time at the beginning can save a lot of confusion, unnecessary sampling and costly mistakes later.
Do you provide clothing samples?
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Yes. Sampling is an important part of the development process. Samples allow you to assess the fit, fabric, construction and overall appearance of a garment before moving into production. Sampling costs depend on the garment and the development work required.
How long does clothing manufacturing take?
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Timescales vary depending on the garment, the level of development required and the production schedule, but I’ll always give you an estimated timeline at each stage.
Technical packs usually take a few days to complete.
Sampling is usually split into three stages:
1. Initial or fitting sample — approximately 2–3 weeks
This is the first sample used to check the fit, shape and overall look of the garment. It is usually made in a similar fabric rather than the final production fabric, as you may decide to make changes to the fabric before production.
2. Pre-production sample — approximately 6–8 weeks
This sample is made in the actual production fabric and allows the final garment to be checked and approved before production begins. The timing can vary depending on the size and requirements of the order.
3. Production — approximately 2–8 weeks
Once your production is approved, your order is scheduled into the factory's production list. Production can take anywhere from around 2 to 8 weeks, although 3–4 weeks is typical.
4. Freight — approximately 2 weeks
Once production is complete, allow around 2 weeks for the finished garments to reach the UK.
These are approximate timescales, and fabric availability, garment complexity, order size and factory schedules can all affect the timing. I’ll keep you informed throughout the process so you know what is happening at each stage.
How does Fashion Threads approach ethical manufacturing?
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Ethical and responsible sourcing has always been important to Fashion Threads. My background in fashion sourcing goes back many years, before Fashion Threads was established, and I've always been interested in how products are made and how the people making them are treated.
I personally visit the factories and have built long-standing relationships with the people behind our production. I aim to visit our Turkish manufacturing partners regularly, and I meet with our Chinese manufacturing partners when they visit the UK. The Chinese factories we work with are also regularly audited.
This first-hand knowledge of the factories and the people I work with is important to me. I don't simply place an order with an unknown factory and hope for the best — I want to understand where and how the garments are being made.
Do you work with brands outside Hove and Essex?
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Yes. Although Fashion Threads has UK locations in Hove and Maldon, I work with brands throughout the UK and internationally. I’ve worked with brands as far away as Australia, so you certainly don’t need to be based near one of my locations to work with me.
Much of the development and communication can be managed remotely. I usually set up a WhatsApp group for each project, alongside email, and we can use WhatsApp or FaceTime video calls when it’s useful to talk through ideas, samples or production.
Being able to communicate easily and stay involved throughout the process is important to me, wherever a client is based.