Stephanie Holtz

Tactical Tailor is a manufacturing company that provides tactical gear for law enforcement and military. Responsibilities included developing vests, backpacks, and molle on accessories.
Working closely with Manager lead and client to solidify design.
Developing patterns via Optitex (occasionally using Rhino CAD software) Building BOM's for product. Sewing sample for client approval. Aiding in administrative tasks, embroidery orders, laser cutting, and sewing small production runs when needed.

Job included full inspection of fire fighter suits in order to eliminate safety risks for next wear. This included: Sewing and repairing the Kevlar/PBI outer shell. Sewing and repairing the thermal barrier. Testing the moisture barrier with hydrostatic testing equipment. Sealing any holes and bonding seams. Conducting a final confirmation inspection that all gear is correct and safe, prior to shipment.

Categories: Women's Knits, Outerwear, Gear, and Women's Sweaters.
Women's Knits:
Worked with a team of PD's to manage the women's knit Category. Building & editing tech packs in PDM system Tracking all approvals and comments. Prepare samples for fit sessions. Evaluate sample execution & relay prototype comments to factory. Review sample & trim cards for final production approval. Maintain sample library.
Women's Sweaters:
Executed development process from design initiation to fully commercialized products. Building & editing tech packs in PDM system. Managed and communicated all yarn and sample development to vendor. Tracked all approvals and comments. Worked closely with design & sourcing team on yarn development process. Secured yarn poundage for sample development. Aided in Wear testing process for new yarn qualities developed in collection. Prepare samples for fit sessions. Maintained sample library. Worked with cross functional team on sample progress. Balanced workload & deadlines so that all calendar dates were met. Lead Buy Readiness meetings in order to maintain production timeline. Reviewed sample & trim cards for final production approval.
Technical Outerwear & Gear:
Assisted in all aspects of product development process. Creation & editing of tech packs/fit comments in newly launched PDM system. Managed and communicated all gear department lab dips, including daily correspondence with factories. Aided Colorist in Color Lab with organization and distribution of seasonal color standards. Evaluated sample execution & relayed prototype compliance to specs. Organized samples for fit sessions. Maintained sample library for product development & product line managers. Tracked sample approvals/trim cards for final bulk approval & style file. Created/updated illustrations in Adobe Illustrator.

Repaired and altered denim clothing using industrial sewing machines. Worked and maintained steam iron equipment and sewing machines. Minor repairs: applied snaps, grommets, and studs on garments.

Altered bridal gowns and special occasion dresses. Worked with delicate satin, organza, and multi-layered garments. Applied hand-sewn intricate embellishments and beading. Documented alterations, repairs, and warranties. Ordered and inventoried supplies for sewing room. Lead fit sessions with clients to confirm desired fit and look.

Repaired and altered motorcycle gear including leather and performance fabrics. This included Kevlar, waterproof garments, and inserts for safety armor. Fitted customers for alterations. Customized apparel with club patches/emblems. Patterned replacement linings and sleeves. Applied post-production changes to store brand styles as per owners request. Performed minor repairs - Snaps, grommets, and studs on gear and accessories.

Responsibilities included: Coordinating wardrobe for photo shoots. Assisting client with accessories, clothing selection and hairstyling options. Locating suitable garments and alter certain looks to accommodate the aesthetic of photo concept.

Created patterns based on sketch from lead designer. Draped ideas on dressform and transferred concept to flat pattern. Build cutter's must. Made sample garments as needed for factory reference. Manual pattern grading. Fit sessions: Performed all pattern corrections and requested changes. Aided in any prep work for product shipment.