One option is to include some spec sheets at the end of a design group for several garments in that collection. For example if you have a design group with 6 figures (6 complete outfits), you can include spec sheets for each garment at the end of that grouping (after the flat sketches or CAD sketches if you have them). Try to include apparel spec sheets for a variety of garment styles- i.e.: tops, bottoms, dresses, skirts, jackets.

Another option is to have a separate section at the back of your portfolio with spec sheets for various garment designs from your portfolio.

To learn more about measuring garments and creating spec sheets, see our How to Spec a Garment article.

Hope this helps and Best of Luck in your search!!!

It’s okay to use printed paper swatches if you’ve designed your own print repeat, if you want to show multiple colorways of a fabric swatch, or if you’re demonstrating your CAD / textile design skills.

You’ll also need to demonstrate that you can analyze items from past seasons: distinguish why some designs worked and others didn’t. If a design didn’t sell; was it wrong for your target market? Or was it the wrong fabric, color, price, or time? And is there anything that can be done to fix it, or is it a total waist? It’s also important to show that you can take a basic item and update it so it appears fresh to the consumer. The same goes for best selling items – you’ll need to make sure they don’t go “stale” so they continue to sell well.

To demonstrate the above skills in your fashion portfolio, you should include pictures from magazines and stores. Create collages that show what you think will be a big fashion trend (for your target market). Also show images of an item you think will be the next big thing, along with a small report on why you think the item will be a hit. If you like, you can also incorporate your own design sketches to show how you would develop these trends into a fashion line that sells.

Another idea is to visit fashion stores at the end of the season and take a look at the clearance racks. Take pictures and include a small report on why you think these items didn’t sell based on the 5 P’s of fashion merchandising (product, price, place, promotion, & people).

Hope this helps, good luck in your search!

Good Luck in your search!

Do you think its necessary to include figure drawings or could I just include photos of garments being worn by professional models? I feel only apparel and graduates mainly have a portfolio of figure drawings.

As a Technical Designer, you are responsible for tech packages (sample requests & 1st fit samples), and conducting fit approvals. The typical procedure is:
- When a P.O. (Purchase Order) is placed, the garment goes to Tech Designer who requests a fit sample.
- Fit comments are given and samples are resent until the sample is approved.
- When the sample is approved, a size grade is sent with approved specs for each size range for that style.
- Before the garment goes into production, pre-production samples (usually a sample for each size) are submitted to the tech designer for approval.
- Once the garment enters production, 1st production samples are submitted, followed by shipment samples, which are packaged as they would be for shipping to retail stores.

There is a certain way to measure garments and do fit comments which is slightly different from patternmaking. Our “How to Spec a Garment” ebook covers these skills in detail. You’ll learn how to spec (measure) garments and it includes Excel tech pack templates for different types of garments. You can take some free flat sketch downloads from our site and create your own spec packages for them. You can also find a bad fitting garment in a store (there are plenty out there!), and fill in your own fit correction comments. Knowing how to use Microsoft Excel to format your own tech packs is also helpful – you might be interested in the “Special Package” with both our Excel and How to Spec ebooks. Knowledge of Web PDM will also make sure you have all the bases covered.

We don’t think you’ll need to get another internship, but if this will be your first real job, you might want to look for assistant tech designer positions, which your experience level should be perfect for! Technical designers are usually very high in demand, so you should have no problem finding lots of positions to choose from!