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Pinky says:

That actually depends on you. Sometimes you will need both depending on where your manufacturer is. For instance, if you have a t-shirt that has sleeves of a different color or has a print on it. The manufacturer may be only able to print it and you have to have a seamstress to do minor stitches (sleeves, tags, piping etc.)

Then you have time issues. Clearly a manufacturer will have an order done faster than a seamstress.

Sometimes, a seamstress can be better because he/she pays more attention to detail. They can really put an effort to making sure the quality of the garment is at 110%. Manufacturers sometimes use machines or the cheapest means necessary and sometimes thats seamstresses with poor quality of workmanship.

If you are designer, I suggest you take a couple clothing construction classes. Trust me, it makes a difference when you know how a item will drape or fall so to speak on a woman’s body. It really helps in creating a line. Plus, you can create the samples if you choose to use a manufacturer therefore leaving them with certain specifications as to how you want the garments.

If you are merely investing and interested in just getting a “line” out there. I would research manufacturers and get a feel for cost, efficiency and expectations of those places.

kay says:

Before you do anything else, I highly recommend you get a copy of Kathleen Fasanella’s book, “Entrepreneur’s Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing”. It’ll help keep you from being skinned, a very common problem with newbies in the textile trades.

She has a blog at http://www.fashion-incubator.com with *much* good information there, including discussions of who to hire to manufacture for you. Short answer: onsie-twosies and unprofessional patterns go to seamstresses; sample makers for onesie-twosies of proper patterns; manufacturers for large runs of properly done patterns (which are not like home sewing patterns). If you don’t have proper patterns, most sewing contractors won’t touch the item.

Be sure to read the sections on kaizen and similar manufacturing methods on the blog.

I am a home sewer who sews production style; I do not sell stuff, but I have friends who have been patternmakers, production managers, designers, etc. in manufacturing. What they have talked about certainly matches Fasanella’s book’s advice. I’ve picked up some good production sewing techniques both from the book and from the blog.