Make every part of the product clear

A garment is more than its main fabric. The lining, fastening, label, and small finishing details all contribute to how it feels and how it can be made.

A bill of materials gives those choices a precise form. It connects the design to the materials and quantities needed to develop it, making the product easier to discuss beyond its appearance.

Different colourways can require different materials and components. A single list for an entire style can leave those distinctions open to interpretation.

Keep a bill of materials with the colourway it belongs to. Specify the materials, quantities, and units so the team can understand the exact version under discussion.

A material decision has consequences for both the character of a piece and its cost. Those conversations are more useful when they begin with the same product composition.

Bring quantities and material pricing together when reviewing a bill of materials. Use the resulting picture to compare choices, while keeping the assumptions behind the cost visible.

Sampling, production, and costing ask different questions of the same design. A sample may be testing an idea; a production plan needs a more settled understanding of its parts.

Separate sample, production, and costing bills of materials to make the purpose of each list clear. Give the team a concrete basis for reviewing what the next stage requires.