We bring a unique offering to designers and Irish companies that want to offer ethically produced products.

Ethical production is not only about reducing negative environmental impact – but creating a positive one. Our production workshop supports people from highly marginalised backgrounds to develop workplace skills through meaningful work, set and achieve life goals and develop a sense of belonging and hope for the future.

We believe fashion, when done well, can create positive social change.

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    Initial enquires - Complete the contact form, if you are production ready (i.e. have a pattern / sample for your products or garments, and you want to order over 10 units per style) we will be in touch within 3 days to arrange an initial call or meeting.

  • 2

    Quoting - Once we have your pattern (tech pack or sample) we will provide you with a quote for services, and let you know about upcoming slots in our production schedule.

  • 3

    Sampling - We will confirm sampling costs prior to starting. All new products must be sampled first. This usually takes 3 - 6 weeks, depending on space being available in the production schedule.

  • 4

    Production – We’ll confirm production slots and pricing with you. Production leadtimes are generally 4 - 8 weeks, once all materials are supplied. We can potentially deliver urgent products first. There is a fee of €50 for onsite meetings, this is fully redeemable against your first order (i.e. if you don’t place the order we will charge for meetings).

  • 5

    Receipt of materials and production - You send us a list of materials. Once all the materials arrive, and are checked for quality, we’ll begin production (if they have not arrived we’ll let you know). We then ship your garments or products to you on the agreed delivery date or you can collect.

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Why Choose Us?

High quality production overseen by an experienced production manager, with four levels of quality checks.

Our story can support your story. We can provide livery that communicates the positive impact your production helped create.

Reduced environmental impact

Ability to conduct quality control and communicate directly with the production room

Our low minimum orders to reduce your inventory risk and support early start up brands

Fair pricing for high quality work

The ability to add ‘Made in Ireland’ to your products

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between White Label and CMT?

CMT requires your pattern, fabrics and trims. For White Label products we provide textiles and trims from our range, and work from our patterns. In both cases you provide your branded labels.

Can you provide estimations of CMT sampling and production prices?

Sampling costs cover a range of simple designs and are provided as a guideline only. If your design has additional details (pockets, lining, piping, belts etc) the sample will cost more. Samples are generally priced at double estimated production costs. 

[Example table of pricing:]

For homewares see price estimations for production in our White Label range. Prototyping costs are calculated per design.

What are our payment terms?

For all samples: full payment is required upfront, production cannot begin until payment is received.

For production: 70% of overall cost is required upfront, 30% on collection.

We accept bank transfer or paypal. We can also except cheque however there will be a 5% processing charge. We offer 30 days payment terms on invoices.Late payments incur a fee of 5% every month.

Is there a charge for the initial meeting for CMT products?

Yes, there is a fee of €50 for the initial meeting with the production manager. This is later deducted from your production invoice if you place an order with us.

What is your Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)?

10 unit per style. This can be split across sizes.

Is there a contract?

We will send you an email confirmation with a document outlining the order terms: including: price, delivery date, and quantity with reference to the technical requirements provided by yourself. If you respond to this email to confirm the details, as well as okay the sample, we keep this on file and regard it as the contract.

Do you provide discounts for larger orders?

Yes, we do. Discounts start are offered for bulk orders, dependant on the product / garment.

Do prices include shipping?

They don’t. But we can arrange shipping and include costs on your second invoice.

How is WMG sustainable and/or ethical?

First, let’s look at what these terms mean, sustainable production refers to production which uses the least previous resources possible. Ethical refers to way in which production is undertaken and looks primarily at employment practices. We aim to be the highest in industry standards in each area.

Sustainable production 

The fact that we produce in Ireland means far less travel miles for your products, this significantly reduces carbon emissions for products.

We reduce waste through considered pattern cutting. 

Through our partnership with MACE our unavoidable offcuts (that can’t be made into alternative products) are recycled off shore and returned as textiles that can be used for new products.

Our print workshop uses only water-based dyes (TRISH), which has a much better environmental footprint than other toxic polluting dyes.

We use only 100% bio-degradable packaging.

All paper products are recycled.

We have policies to reduce electricity use, and have selected a workshop with generous natural lighting.

Our own range of products, sources from either recycled/reclaimed materials or uses natural fibres with high production standards (i.e. GOTS).

Ethical production 

We provide on the job training for people who come from marginalised backgrounds. It may be that they have been in prison or are on probation, or that they have completed drug rehabilitation. In this cases, some of our staff have never previously had a job, or not had one for many years. For others on the team, they have to come to Ireland as a refugee and are building their life here with a need for new language and work skills. In all cases our staff initially need support to develop confidence in their ability and to build a new supportive community. We do this by creating individual support plans and taking a flexible approach to helping them develop new workplace or communication skills. All our staff become skilled in their areas and become partners in our goal of growing and creating opportunities for others. After three years or when people are ready, whatever comes first, we help people find new mainstream work, so that we can support new people on this life changing journey.

As soon as trainees have completed their first trainee phase (3 – 12 months), having developed basic sewing/workplace skills, they receive a living wage, prior to this in the first training phase they receive minimum wage.

100% of our profits goes back into making more positive change. We don’t just donate a portion to charity – we are a charity – all our time, resources and profit is used to create more social impact. Thanks for being a part of our community in this goal.

How long does CMT production take?

We ask that you estimate 8 weeks. However we will always try to turn job around as fast as possible. You can also request that we prioritise and send garments that you need urgently, and we will try to accommodate this. The exact delivery times will be agreed with you when you place your order. We recommend booking as soon as possible to secure a spot in the production run. Exact timing cannot be guaranteed as this depends on how many designers we have already booked into the production schedule.

Do you provide pattern cutting?

No, not at the moment. Check back in, we hope to add to our range of services as we grow.

Can you attach swing tags and package products ready for customers?

Yes we can, if you show us your tags we will cost this out for you.

What the stages in the CMT process?

Once the samples are confirmed the CMT process begins. The steps are:

Cut - We lay fabric on the cutting table, the number of layers is dependent on the fabric and pattern being used. We then draw the pattern on the fabric, following the grain marked on the pattern. These are placed in a layout to conserve fabric and are checked by the production manager. If you provide a lay plan we will follow this. Notches and drill holes will be made where directed on patterns, to support construction.

Make – machinists produce the garments or products, with each seam being done in lots to optimise efficiency. The process is checked at each stage by the production manager to ensure quality. Your brand and care labels are inserted into the seams at this stage. 

Trim – Once garments or products are constructed, they are then trimmed and loose threads cut. All garments are checked again that they meet quality standards, and are then pressed, ready for packaging. At this stage swing tags can be installed on garments, which carries a small additional cost.

Can you grade, if we have one size pattern or sample?

No, we do not offer grading at the current time. We require pattern in each size that you want made.

Can you provide lining and trims?

We are based above TWI, and can collect any orders from them for incidentals. Orders can be made online (https://fabricsireland.com). if they have it, we can pop down and collect it. If you purchase White Label products, we provide textiles from our collection and all trims.

How do you manage quality?

Quality Checks (QC) are undertaken by Sarah, our Production Manager, who has 15 years of industry experience. QC is done at four different stages in the process:

On receipt of fabric to check for inconsistencies 

On lay of patterns to ensure that fabric use has been maximised

At multiple points in construction to ensure quality 

Once the garment is completed and trimmed to ensure a high quality and flawless product.

What do I need to provide to get something made?

For CMT provide us with a pattern, and a sample and ideally any necessary information on details, trims and sizing to enable us to produce your range.

For White Label, products, just choose your product, send us to details so we can ensure its an appropriate fabric for the product. Once confirmed provide fabric and your brand labels.

What’s in our ideal CMT tech pack?

Ideally, you will supply us with the following in addition to the pattern and sample. However we can work with a pattern and sample.

Flat Drawing - a front and back flat drawing with side views if needed to show specific details

Spec Sheet: 

Needs to show all relevant measurements for different size grades.

Outlining details on the garment, with all measurements for reference. 

Details of any trims should be provided

A drawing of where the brand labels and care labels etc are placed. 

Colourways – a list of fabrics and the colour of the threads and trims. Ideally a physical swatch of the fabrics is attached.

Can I visit the workroom?

Yes, we welcome you to come by. Once you have placed a CMT order you can call in, just contact the production manager to make an appointment. We need time to ensure that you are viewing your own products and other designers work is stored away. Product confidentiality is a commitment we make to everyone we work with.

Do you pay living wages and what support do you provide your staff?

We pay living wages as soon as the model can afford to – this is when trainees have finished phase one of their traineeship, and when their work is at a standard that can contribute to the income earning potential of the social enterprise. This standard is achieved usually between 3 and 14 months. In phase one of the programme, SE staff are paid minimum wage. Many staff come to the programme with few work place skills and we support people to develop these. Skill development is technical as well focusing on soft skills like communication/language and general work readiness skills. We develop a support plan for each staff member and work with them to achieve their goals. All SE staff have access to a dedicated support staff member, who does not work in the production team and has years of experience in working with people with complex lived experience. In order to move to phase two of the programme attendance also needs to be regular and reliable.

Is manufacturing in Ireland more expensive that getting clothes made overseas?

It is more expensive as we pay higher wages. However if you dig a little deeper, it may not seem as much as a gap as it first seems. If you are importing you need to consider transport costs (for samples and products), import taxes, as well as potential waste if the manufacturer has not understood your requirements or if large MOQs result in unsold itinerary. Working with us also means no travel for you or your products, and better use of textiles, which is better for the planet. Working with a manufacturer where you can check their employment standards also reduces the risk that you are engaging in seriously unethical practices that are endemic in the fashion industry. We create positive social impact and reduce environmental impact – factors that hold real value for your customers.

  • Textiles and garments we work with

    • We work in woven fabrics and a number of stretch fabrics
    • We produce a wide range of clothing and homewares
  • Textiles and garments we do not currently work with

    • Full knit products – however we can produce some CMT knitwear
    • We do not work in tee-shirting, manufacture swimwear, or underwear.
  • Processes and machinery we provide

    • Straight stitch industrial machines
    • Industrial three thread overlockers
    • Industrial four thread overlockers
    • Button and buttonhole machine
    • Cover stitch machines
    • Baby lock finishing
    • Free motion embroidery
    • Felling machine
  • Processes and machinery we don’t currently provide

    • Commercial knit machines
    • Programmed embroidery
    • CAD pattern facilities
    • Grading