Course Description

Does this sound like you?

  • You want to start an apparel line, but you're not sure where to start.
  • You've already started your line, but it's way harder than you ever imagined, and you're starting to feel OVERWHELMED.
  • Your line started from a basic online shop with a few items, but now you want to expand your line to include more products. You didn't go to school for this, and you need help understanding exactly how to create new products.


If ANY of these sound like you, this course is for YOU.

Because I created the course with YOU in mind.


I'm Michelle Roberts, and I've been helping clients and brands develop and launch apparel products for 20 years. I know what you need to know to be successful after helping 100's of brands, and I've distilled down all that knowledge into this 6 part course.


With the purchase of this course, you also receive FREE LIFETIME ACCESS TO:

  • the Made in the USA/ North American Material Sourcing System WITH
  • the Snip-ITS material sourcing communication templates (a $197 value), so you can source the materials you need for your line WITH CONFIDENCE.


Owner & Head Instructor @ Technical Textile Solutions

Michelle Roberts

I've been making things happen in the apparel industry since 1993.I started my career in yarn creation, fabric creation, dyeing & finishing, while earning my BS and MS degrees in all things Textile Science.Then I moved to Fortune 100 companies to head their development, sourcing, testing, color matching, & commercialization departments for apparel.And since 2010, I've distilled my knowledge & experience from the "Big Brands" down to *exactly* what apparel startups and entrepreneurs need to know to launch their lines efficiently, effectively, in an organized way, spending as little of their precious capital as possible in the process.I can't wait to help you, too. So grab a course or two and let's get started.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    About the Apparel Line Start Up System

    • Start Here: Welcome & Course Overview
  • 2

    Module 1: Setting Up Your Business Right the First Time

    • Pre-Lesson: Ideal Client Worksheet

    • Lesson 1: Overview of Business Structures to Consider

    • Lesson 2: The Sole Proprietorship

    • Lesson 3: The LLC

    • Lesson 4: S-Corp

    • Lesson 5: C-Corp

    • Lesson 6: What Would Michelle Do?!

    • Lesson 7: Legal Considerations- Trademarks, Patents, oh My!

    • Lesson 8: How to Fund Your Line

    • Lesson 8 BONUS: Family & Friends Private Funding Calculator

    • Lesson 9: Crowdfunded Clothing- the Smart Way!

    • A Kick in the Pants: Apparel Kickstarter Campaign Mistakes from the Front Lines!

    • Lesson 10: Client Attraction System

    • Module 1 Office Hours
  • 3

    Module 2: Planning Your Line/ Design of the Line

    • Lesson 1: Module 2 Overview

    • Lesson 2: A Walk-through of the Apparel Creation Calendar

    • The Apparel Creation Calendar in .pdf Format

    • The Apparel Creation Calendar in Word Format

    • Lesson 3: What is a Line Plan?

    • The Line Plan Template in Excel Format

    • Lesson 4: Researching Trends and Your Market

    • Lesson 5: Developing Your Design Details

    • Lesson 6: Building Your Tech Pack- Overview

    • The Tech Pack Template

    • Lesson 7: Walk-Through the Tech Pack Template

    • Module 2: Office Hours
  • 4

    Module 3: The Development Process

    • Lesson 1: The Sample Development Process

    • Sample Tag Templates

    • Sample Request Tracker Template

    • Lesson 2: Tech Pack Creation Steps

    • Lesson 3: Tech Pack Cadence

    • Lesson 4: How to Go From Sketches to Patterns

    • Lesson 5: How to Work With a Patternmaker

    • Lesson 6: What is Tech Design?!

    • Lesson 7: How to Know WHICH Sample to Fit?!

    • Lesson 8: The Fabric Development Process

    • Lesson 9: The Color Development Process

    • Color Tracker Template

    • Lesson 10: CAD, Up Close! (Coming Soon!)

    • Lesson 11: The Trim Development Process

    • Trim Data Sheet Template (Coming Soon!)

    • Print Strike off Header Template

    • Module 3 Office Hours
  • 5

    Module 4: Quality: It's No Accident!

    • Lesson 1: Module 4 Overview

    • Lesson 2: Material Supplier Quality

    • Testing Types

    • Lesson 3: Material Performance- Testing for Physical Characteristics

    • Material Testing Cheat Sheet

    • Material Testing Cheat Sheet Review-Video

    • Resource: 3rd Party Testing Companies You can Contact to Have Your Materials Tested.

    • Lesson 4: Material Performance- Testing for Chemical Properties

    • Lesson 5: Material Performance- A Start Up Focus

    • Lesson 6: Material Quality- Restricted Substances Overview

    • Lesson 7: The AAFA 2016 RSL List Review

    • [PDF] The AAFA 2016 RSL List

    • Lesson 8: CPSIA

    • Examples of Children's Product Certificates

    • The Effect of California Proposition 65 on the Apparel and Accessories Industry

    • Lesson 9: Restricted Substance Testing Plan for the Apparel Start Up

    • Lesson 10: Finished Garment Quality

    • Lesson 11: The Finished Garment Quality Plan for the Apparel Start Up

    • Module 4 Office Hours
  • 6

    Module 5: Production

    • Lesson 1: Overview of Production

    • Lesson 2: The Top of Production (TOP) Process

    • Lesson 3: Garment Production Steps

    • Lesson 4: How to Choose a Garment Maker

    • Lesson 5: Agreements You Should Have in Place with your Garment Maker
  • 7

    Module 6: Marketing for Success & Life After the First Production Shipment

    • Lesson 1: Module 6 Overview

    • Lesson 2: Marketing for Success- Overview

    • Lesson 3: Instagram

    • Lesson 4: Pinterest

    • Lesson 5: Facebook

    • Lesson 6: Email Marketing

    • Lesson 7: First Year Problems in Production: Overview

    • Lesson 8: Poor Color Matching Over Time

    • Lesson 9: Fabric Sourcing Issues

    • Lab Dip Continuity Card in .pdf Format

    • Lab Dip Continuity Card in Word Format

    • Bulk Continuity Card Template in .pdf Format

    • Bulk Continuity Card Template in Word Format

    • Lesson 10: Inconsistent Garment Ordering/Garment Quality Issues

    • Corrective Action Plan Template in .pdf Format

    • Corrective Action Plan Template in Word Format

Pricing options

Explain how different pricing options might be valuable to different segments of your audience.

  • $397.00

    Regular price

    Get started now

  • $1,297.00

    Course, Plus 6 months of 1-on-1 Start Up Coaching (30 minute calls every 2 weeks for 24 weeks)

    Get started now

  • $697.00

    Course, Plus 2 Months of 1-on1 Start Up Coaching with Michelle (30 minute calls every 2 weeks for 8 weeks)

    Get started now