Feeling groovy? Itching to get your hands on genuine batik fabric, and block prints? Have a vision of hand-painted and embroidered tee-shirts? Bali today is a hot spot of creativity and an important manufacturing hub for sustainable and ethical garment production. For a new designer, there are considerable benefits to producing clothes in Bali. Especially if you are inspired to make your ‘Daisy Jones” collection using unique artisan effects!
Make your ‘Daisy Jones’ Collection Sustainably -with Bali Sewing Studio!
Let your inner hippy out! Bali Sewing Studio gives brands the opportunity to brainstorm and develop your creative ideas in detail, before moving forward to production. We interviewed the owner, Celeste, and she gave us an insightful look into how a designer can successfully (and sustainably) make a collection in Bali.
More than just a sewing studio making clothes, we are a team, and we want to be your partner.
celeste from ‘Bali sewing studios’
What are the benefits of producing a collection with Bali Sewing Studio?
Celeste: High quality and low MOQs (Minimum Order Quantities). You can start producing amazing styles with low quantities, which is ideal if you are a start-up or if you would like to test a new collection.
How do you work with a designer who wants to create really unique collections using local artisans and suppliers?
Celeste: We will ask the designer to provide us with their design details, and we will then set-up a meeting to make sure we understand the designer’s vision well. We will also ask about the available budget for the production of each style later on, as we want to make sure we develop styles that can actually be produced. Our next step will then be fabric and trims sourcing, and we will then work with the designer to further develop the styles based on the available materials and production methods that are available on the island.
What are the first steps to start product development with Bali Sewing Studio? Is a mood board a good starting point?
Celeste: Yes, if you would like to develop new styles from scratch, a mood board is a great way to communicate your ideas to us, your production partner. Please note that if you are working with a cut & sew manufacturer who is specialized in production rather than prototype development, you will need to provide more detailed information, especially tech packs and preferably prototypes. But if you are working with a partner such as Bali Sewing Studio to develop new styles, a mood board will be a great way to start. We will also develop your tech packs.
Can you help a designer from A-Z in the process of manufacturing?
Celeste: Yes, for fashion production we provide all the needed services, starting with prototype development, which includes fabric and trims sourcing, making tech packs, dye/print tests, label/hangtag development, pattern making, sample cutting and sewing and of course consultation from our team. Once the prototypes are confirmed, we can also assist with the production process, starting from pre-production which includes size grading and the preparation of the materials (think about dyeing or printing, or weaving the fabrics if you are working with handwoven fabrics), followed by production and ending with quality control and shipment.
What types of garments can you make in the Bali Sewing Studio?
Celeste: We mostly work on styles that are made with woven fabrics, made of natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, silk, Tencel, viscose and hemp.
And what is a typical charge for first samples? Do you have a price list or is it case by case?
Celeste: This depends a lot on the designer’s needs and wishes for the project – for some indications, please have a look at www.balisewingstudio.com/faq
What are the Do’s and Don’ts when starting to work with artisans and suppliers in Bali?
Celeste: Do’s: Take time for the product development stage if you want to create a custom product. Make sure you have detailed specs of your final product, as these specs will be used as a reference during production and quality control
Appreciate the time and effort your partners are putting into your project
Don’ts: Don’t start production when your prototype isn’t exactly how you’d like it to be yet. Don’t start with too many styles and variations and produce only 1 or 2 pieces of each style/variation – this will make your production process more complicated and expensive, and also your customers may get confused about your brand, especially if you are a start-up. Better to pick a few styles and few colors/prints for the first collection and save your other ideas for collections to come. Don’t forget to plan time for quality control and revisions after production, it’s very important to have your goods double checked before they are shipped.
Is there a culturally appropriate way to communicate with the local Bali artisans and suppliers?
Celeste: When it comes to communicating with artisans and suppliers in Bali, and everywhere else in the world, the most important thing is to be respectful and treat the artisans and suppliers you work with as equal partners. That means your partners do also need to have a voice when it comes to deciding on timelines, methods and prices.
What types of fabrics are available in Bali? Are there any organic fabrics?
Celeste: There are a lot of fabrics made of natural fibers available in Bali, such as cotton, linen, silk, Tencel and viscose. You can find both woven and knit fabrics. Bali doesn’t have any fabric mills, so all the machine-made fabrics that you will find at the suppliers in Bali are either made in mills on other islands in Indonesia (mostly Java and Kalimantan) or are imported from other countries. There are also handwoven fabrics that are made in Bali or other parts of Indonesia.
There are also some options for fabrics made of man-made fibers, such as lycra and nylon, but this is not our specialization.
Can the artisans in Bali produce embroidery and beadwork?
Celeste: Yes, definitely, there are artisans in Bali who specialize in embroidery and bead work.
What options are there for unique textile printing and dyeing?
Celeste: The print methods that are most often used in Bali are screen-printing, digital printing or sublimation printing. Other than that, there are also options for batik stamping or eco-printing. When it comes to dyeing, this can be done with both synthetic or natural dyes (made of leaves, fruit pits, wood, etc.) in Bali, and various techniques are available, such as tie-dye and gradation dyeing. Dyeing and printing can only be done on fabrics made of natural fibers, except for sublimation printing which can only be done on fabrics that contain polyester.
Could a designer do a range of kimonos, for example, with different customized prints and lace detail?
Celeste: Yes, that could be an option. Having said that, the options for laces made of natural fibers (that can be dyed) such as cotton are limited, and the polyester laces usually come in limited colors. So this is important to consider during the prototype development stage.
What about a range of screen-printed tee-shirts embellished with embroidery detail?
Celeste: Yes, that sort of production is very possible in Bali!
Read on for a list of more factories in Bali to make your Daisy Jones collection – sustainably.
Cut & Sew Factory is a clothing manufacturer that offers low minimum productions globally – and work with hundreds of labels worldwide. They are an Italian and Indonesian team with 25+ years of experience in the garment manufacturing industry, dedicated to helping entrepreneurs succeed and strive to provide designers with the tools, resources, strategies, and guidance needed to create quality brands.
With Cut & Sew you can focus on your creativity while our experts take care of your production.
Cut & Sew factory
They are an Australian run business delivery personalized professional quality garment production to designers worldwide since 2008. They have lived in Bali for many years and have all the contacts & connections. So, you don’t have to go to the hassle of sourcing materials & manufacturers yourself.
We are Bali’s leading fashion and clothing manufacturer.
One love fashion production
C.M. Garmindo’s end-to-end technical design and clothing manufacturing solutions seamlessly integrate with your company’s design, sourcing, and manufacturing needs with consistent quality and unmatched production management at competitive pricing.
C.M. Garmindo offers some of the lowest minimums in the world and can manufacture clothing with the same premium quality even at our maximum capacities. Our current MOQ is: 20 pieces per style per variation – 5 pieces per size – 60 pieces total across your collection.
Dedicated to Becoming Indonesia’s Top
CM garmindo
Ethical Fair Trade Clothing Manufacturer
A unique blank swimwear company, they have already developed fashion trend shapes, a ready designs option most affordable to start your own swimwear collection. Choose ,fabrics, custom prints, labelling services
They have been manufacturing custom-made activewear for over 25 years, incorporating imported Italian Carvico®, ECONYL®, US REPREVE®, and Korean Power Fit recycled fabrics into our production. They are dedicated to supplying start-up and established brands with the best quality Active and Yoga wear at the lowest price, produced in the shortest possible timeframe. Check out their “Ready Designs” to jump start your brand. If you’re looking for a fast track, they have a wide range of ‘blank” styles you can customize with your own colors and prints.
Specializing in swim and resort wear, BadAss Garment Factory has been producing quality garments since 2005. They are a WRAP certified facility giving you piece of mind knowing that we are an ethical factory adhering to the highest quality standards. All of their services are offered in house, making them Bali’s premiere one stop garment manufacturer allowing the production of your line to be streamlined and uncomplicated.
Style – Quality – Ease
BADASS Garment Factory
Let us bring your vision to life!
An Australian & Balinese owned company since 1987 – high quality and professional but only producing higher MOQ’s.
We understand companies have a social obligation to ensure they contribute positively to the community around them by investing resources to the people and environment that has helped us to get to where we are in the manufacturing world.”
Yogi & Boo
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