Case Study: Custom Sherpa Fabric for a Theatre Costume Workshop in the Netherlands
Source:Metal Lapel Pins /
Time:2026-09-18
Sherpa Fabric for a Theatre Costume Workshop in the Netherlands
A Theatre Costume Workshop approached us with a sherpa fabric requirement for the the Netherlands market. The brief was specific: a defined look, a hard launch date and a unit cost that had to survive freight and duty. This case study records what was specified, what went wrong in sampling and how the bulk order was delivered.
The challenge
- A spec that lived in an email instead of a tech pack
- Shrinkage that only showed up after the first wash
- A zipper puller that broke under pull test at the warehouse
What we specified
| Item | Sherpa Fabric |
|---|---|
| Client type | A Theatre Costume Workshop |
| Market | the Netherlands |
| Order volume | 20,000 pieces across 6 specifications |
| Base material | Glass |
| Standard size | 140 gsm |
| Finish | Sandblasted Finish |
| Sampling rounds | 2 |
| Delivery window | 10 weeks from PO to ex-factory |
| Compliance | REACH SVHC Screening |
How it was resolved
- We rebuilt the specification around Glass and locked the tolerance before bulk.
- The finish was moved to Enzyme Wash Finish after strike-off tests showed better durability.
- A pre-production sample was approved and retained as the golden reference.
- Production ran with in-line inspection and a mid-run photo report.
- Cartons were packed to the client's own barcode and ratio specification.
Result
- 20,000 pieces delivered inside the 10-week window.
- Unit cost held within 2.0% of the original quotation.
- Inspection-related rejection stayed under 1.0%.
- The specification is now on file, so reorders reproduce the approved sample.
What we would repeat
Keep one accountable owner on both sides. Most delays come from hand-offs, not from machines.
Planning something similar?
Tell us the item, the quantity and the delivery window. We will quote it with the sub-processes named, so the lead time you approve is the lead time you get.
