Charming Necessities Boutique: Planning for Spring 2012 and some sneak peeks

I am SO EXCITED about Spring 2012! After lots of planning, things are coming together perfectly! It takes a bunch of behind the scenes work to launch new collections.

First I have to decide on fabrics to use. I keep in mind the season that I'm designing for {in this case, spring} as well as what holidays are a part of that season, what specific colors have done well in the past, and also what the trends are.

Then I have to make sure I'm not buying all the same general colors, I want to make sure that I have a good selection of different prints and colors. I know my customers have different tastes, so I try to have lots of options! If I were designing just for my girls I would probably make all pink dresses. LOL ;)

Once I have my fabrics and any trims I want to use selected - I decide on what staple pieces I want to do, as well as what new designs I want to bring in. The possibilities for new designs are endless, so I have to narrow it down to a few sets of outfits {which takes forever!} that I think will work well for the season.

When I have an idea of the outfits I'm going to make - then I have to decide how to use best position the fabrics with any given piece. I take into account the colors and patterns of the fabric and try to use them in a way that makes the outfit flow well and is aesthetically pleasing.

Usually I just write down where I want to place fabrics in a notebook, but this year, I decided to be fancy schmancy and give myself a better visual. I can't draw to save my life {thus the reason why sewing is my creative outlet! ;)} but here are my planning "maps".

When I have everything mapped out on my papers, then all the pieces get cut out. Here are my maps organized by type {ie dress, pants, top..}, and my pattern folder.

So after this point I didn't take any pictures until the clothes were finished. Why? Because it looked like a bomb went off in my studio. I can't stand unorganized spaces and let me tell you - it was driving me crazy! Piles of cut out, unfinished clothes were all over the place. Remember that I have to work on new things in addition to working on current orders, so its definitely a stressful time.

After the clothes are made then I had to make up some made to match hair accessories. Ooooooh I am so excited about them - but I will leave that for a surprise when the collections launch in early January.

There are a few other surprises I have up my sleeve, but you will see those soon!

Three of the five collections for Spring are out to photographers - and the last two will be going out this week. I am so grateful to be able to work with some amazingly talented ladies - and can't wait to share their stunning work with you!

For now, here are a few more pictures of some new designs coming for Spring: