Show some colour on the dock this summer!

Just added a batch of singlets to the SLEEVELESS TOPS section of the Row West website.   Lots of other ideas in the pipeline.

I just need one perfect shade of red . Aaaarrrgggghhhh

Stats can be fun.

Yes, a blog without posts is a sad and digitally wilted being.   As of April 2012, Row West is incorporated instead of being a Sole Proprietorship.  Officially, the company's new name is Row West Activewear Inc.   This has entailed a lot of accounting adjustments (and painful expenses) - which is what much of April evenings and weekends have been spent doing.    The financial data is pretty interesting though.    Here are a few numbers from 2011:

Amount spent at Canada Post in 2011 - $7235 .  I actually feel kind of patriotic about spending money at Canada Post.  Plus I really like all the people that work at the Shawnigan Post Office.

Research and Development - $342.   Weak.  But I just can't find time to work on my new ideas for clothing.   Have to trim my less efficient work to make time to finish that darn skort pattern!

Manufacturing materials (like fabric and thread) - $34 993.   Not a bad year for Visa.   But at least I get points that I can redeem for Future Shop gift certificates.   Got my eye on that RC helicopter near the checkout....

The information I wish I had from every year of Row West, but just don't track, is how many articles of clothing I personally cut, put logos on and sewed.    If I take an averages approach and do some dirty math, I can make a guess at around 3000 pieces of clothing.   So I can make a reasonable estimate that in my life I've thus far sewn around 43000 pieces of clothing.    Yeah, Grandma.  Bring it.

Who's the God of Thunder and Lightning? You are. That's who.

Meet the first prototype for the Firebolt Unisuit.   
Inspired by a design sketch by Kayla Smith, cox for the UVic men's crew.

 I know it's always the same mannequin wearing my unis and believe me although I appreciate his work, I'm wanting some diversity in the synthetic model division of Row West.   I think I've mentioned before how hard it is to find an athletic female mannequin.  You'd think there would some degree of choice given the popularity of fitness wear in everyday fashion.   At any rate, I've found some various designs on ebay so I should be able to display women's clothing (on a female form) on the blog in the next month or so.    And yes, I could ask a real person to model the gear, but who has time for an actual photo shoot?   Not I.

Years after ruling the skies, the P51 Mustang rules the waters too.

This design was based loosely on some of paint schemes of the USAF P51 Mustang airplane.
This video is of the design rolling off the Dye Sublimation printer. Literally watching paint dry. Enjoy!

Pink is awesome.

Here are some images of the Helo Darksky Jacket with hood, front pockets and full zip.

More Dye Sub Overdrive

This jacket was created in Youth M for an 8 year old.   Obviously a fan of aviation.