For the whole of summer, I have been visiting Jenny here as an intern at the Bridge & Stitch Bristol office in Pithay studios. My name is Georgina and I am a Fashion and Textiles undergraduate at Portsmouth University. I was welcomed into the Bridge & Stitch team to gain some experience in the industry while preparing for my third year when I go back to university in September. During my first few weeks here in Bristol, we went through an office change, from a desk to a new studio space for Rachael’s ever expanding business, exciting and I even have my own little desk! I immediately got stuck in with designing and researching.
Helping Jenny out this summer has given me an insight into what Bridge & Stitch do. Manufacturing processes and Designing just to name a few. I have helped complete spec sheets and manufacturing sheets on simple and complicated garments, ranging from children’s wear to ski wear. Something I find challenging, but also enjoyable as I love to use illustrator for designing and use it a lot for my degree. Jenny has been amazing in helping me learn all the tips, tricks, and shortcuts on the professional programmes Bridge & Stitch use. Something I will for sure be taking back to uni with me and will help me a lot in my third year! I have also done things like, measure up samples from factories, completed feedback sheets, organised fabrics, as well as arranged to send samples and swatches to clients.
My time here at Bridge & Stitch has shown me how the industry works within manufacturing. I have learnt a lot about technical process that fabrics go through even before it gets to the factory to be made into a garment, like dying techniques, knitting, and dye sublimation. Preparing me for when I become a graduate. Jenny has taught me about projects coming together and the importance of organisation, communication, and being professional in this industry. With a lot of different individuals being involved in projects such as trim suppliers, fabric suppliers, and knitters, this can be quite a handful!
I have seen an insight into how small businesses can be started up and how I could use that in the future for my final collection. I have had a great time here at Bridge & Stitch with Jenny and can’t wait to use everything I’ve learnt for my final and most important year at university! I wish Rachael, Jenny and the team all the best in British manufacturing and can’t wait to hear about the future of Bridge & Stitch. Thanks so much for having me!
