Where would I start looking if I wanted to have a medium-to-large production run of some of my designs? I'm thinking several hundred of about ten designs. I think it's probably over the limit of farming it out to other weavers, so perhaps I should start looking at textile or small production computer-run weaving companies? Where would I find such a company? 

Comments

Tue, 09/09/2014 - 05:50

pammersw

Several hundred what? Yards? Units? If units, what size? 

Tue, 09/09/2014 - 14:25

Sara von Tresckow

Good luck - "small production computer loom companies" usually want at least 500 yards of anything they'll set up for you - unless you go to one of those throw places that does your dog's portrait and then you can make one of a kind cotton blankets.

Tue, 09/09/2014 - 18:08

Weavin Steven

That should have read "several hundred units of 72 inch scarves." Each scarf design is basically the same but with different colors. So ten different colorways, each with 300 quantity equals 3000 total pieces.

Tue, 09/09/2014 - 23:32

Sara von Tresckow

Scarves are narrow and you usually wish to have a turned selvedge, unless you want to go with the way commercial scarves are now made - with narrow turned hems lengthwise. Commercial mills weave 54-108 and more inches - this could be a problem for you.

Wed, 09/10/2014 - 02:02

JPMorabito

Production weaving minimums are assessed through total yardage not total finished pieces. Small production runs are extremely difficult to find. The low end of an industrial run will be 300 yards per stock keeping unit - that means each colorway would need a minimum of 300 yards. This is also assuming you are using one of the mill's standard platforms. Anything custom or a single order will run you into the 1000 yard minimum and above market. Your warp will always be predetermined by the mill constructions, unless you pay for your own beam. Most (not all) industrial weaving in the US and Europe is for upholstery constructions and some home furnishings, and usually is for the jacquard. Dobby constructions will run off of 16 straight draw. You might have some luck with artisan mills and artist project labs, but everything will still have to run off of their platforms and that will be limited. My recommendation would be to farm out to production hand weavers, depending on the design this might be your only option. Handweaving and industrial weaving really are not interchangeable.