Seea - Seeababes

Factory Fact #2 - Markers & Patterns

2012-04-14T23:04:00-07:00

Making swimwear isn't easy!

If you've ever tried your luck with a sewing machine yourself, you probably already know that working with stretchy fabrics can be a nightmare. The seams are difficult, and working out a good pattern can be pretty tough.

Since you need an accurate pattern to replicate a design, it's important that the patterns are done professionally, and that the factory is provided with a guide, or "marker" to cut the patterns pieces. It's also important that the markers are laid out efficiently to minimize fabric waste. The marker is printed on a large plotting machine and laid out over the top of the fabrics to be cut.

Before and after shot - The marker laid out & the cut pieces ready to be sewn.

It's pretty cool to see a skilled worker in action. Equipped with a large, motorized "straight knife", an experienced cutter can slice through hundreds of layers of fabric at the same time. Here's a quick clip of our man in action, cutting out pieces for the samples of the new Polkadot Swami's! (coming to stores next week!!)

It's amazing to watch a design come to life, and it's a great feeling to know where our clothing comes from. It's a long, hard process, and there's plenty more to share, so tune in next week for another fun-filled Seea factory fact!

Labor of Love

2012-04-06T09:04:00-07:00

Letterpress has been around for a long time now - since the year 1440 to be exact - but like many other artisan crafts cast aside by more efficient processes and machines, letterpress printing is a true art, which when mastered, produces goods of quality, unmatched by the mainstream printing processes of today.

Our hangtags are made by Mr. Colt Bowden. You can watch a video Colt working on his antique press here.

We punch and rivet each tag by hand. As you can imagine, this also takes some time. It's pretty mindless work that goes over best with a buddy and a beer.

Brian and Kris knocking out a few hundred tags!

The final product, complete with a hair band for your next surf session!

All told, Seea's letterpress hangtags serve the same purpose as all other hangtags. They display our logo, let you know where our products are made, and will be marked with a price tag from your favorite local retailer.

To us, however, they have become a small symbol of our beliefs, and represent another chance to support a small business owner in the pursuit of their own art. Truly they are out-of-the-ordinary everyday objects.

Our sincere respect and thanks goes out to Colt Bowden, for his dedication to a lost art, and his support of our efforts to manufacture our own dreams.

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