Direct answer
Use the smallest suitable validation step for the current uncertainty. A swatch, washed test, development garment, fit review, size review, and production reference answer different questions. Give each stage one defined approval job, and keep unrelated variables open.
VALIDATION PATH
Start with the unresolved question, not a sample name.
A project can move through all of these stages, combine some of them, or return to an earlier one. The path changes when the material, structure, finish, fit, or size range is still uncertain.
- 01
Material direction
Yarn card or physical reference
Which material route is close enough to test? - 02
Structure
Knitted swatch
Does the yarn, stitch and density create the intended surface? - 03
Finish
Washed test
What changes after washing, brushing or finishing? - 04
Garment
Development sample
Do the construction, silhouette and details work together? - 05
Fit
Revision review
Did the named changes solve the connected fit questions? - 06
Size range
Size validation
Does the approved base direction hold across reviewed sizes? - 07
Release
Production reference
Which accepted version is the basis for bulk production?
APPROVAL MATRIX
Each stage can review something useful without approving the whole product.
| Stage | Can review now | Must remain open |
|---|---|---|
| Material reference | Fibre direction, visible colour direction, initial touch and comparison target | Knitted density, finished garment weight, fit and bulk repeatability |
| Swatch | Yarn route, stitch, density, structure scale and initial hand feel | Garment balance, final measurements, complete finish and size range |
| Washed test | Shrinkage direction, surface change, softness, recovery and the tested finish | The complete garment result or a different material batch |
| Development sample | Construction, silhouette direction, detail placement and the identified material combination | Every size, final colour, all trims and production consistency |
| Fit or size review | Named measurements, balance and fit on the reviewed size or size set | Unreviewed sizes or later material, structure and finish changes |
| Production reference | The recorded material, colour, construction, measurements, trims and finish accepted for bulk | Future substitutions, unrecorded changes and a different production condition |
PATH VARIABLES
Three questions decide whether stages can be combined.
How certain is the material?
A verified repeat yarn and finish may need less separation. A new or substitute yarn leaves hand feel, weight, colour and wash response open.
How connected is the change?
A measurement, stitch or finish change can affect nearby construction, balance, shrinkage or grading even when only one line in the brief changes.
What happens if the answer is wrong?
Use a smaller test when carrying the uncertainty into a full garment or size range would create more material waste, time loss or revision work.
CONDITIONAL BRANCH
When the target yarn is unavailable, change the sample's job.
A substitute can keep development moving, but similarity must not be assumed. Choose the path by the decision that cannot wait.
May review provisionally: silhouette, construction, technique and named measurements.
Keep open: final hand feel, weight, drape, colour, wash response, care and material performance.
The current source supports these three decision paths. It does not confirm that a specific substitute matched the target or reached approval. See the full substitute-yarn approval boundary.
PROCESS EVIDENCE
Why did one sleeve change still lead to a PP-remake decision?
The number of changed rows was not the main risk.
The recorded decision was to control the variable, remake the PP sample, and review the sleeve change before grading. Sleeve length can affect cuff position, proportion, construction balance and what later sizes inherit.
Evidence boundary: the record confirms the 57.5 cm measurement, the requested reduction of 5 cm, and the PP-remake decision. It does not confirm that the revised PP sample or grading was approved.
APPROVAL RECORD
Before moving on, record what changed and what did not.
- 01
Name the stage and sample ID
Do not let feedback from two physical versions merge into one record.
- 02
List the decisions reviewed
State the material, structure, finish, construction, fit or size questions this stage was meant to answer.
- 03
Record old and new values
Include measuring method, marked references and everything intended to remain unchanged.
- 04
Separate final from provisional
A useful sample can move the project forward without closing every material or fit decision.
- 05
Assign the next unresolved question
Choose revision, size validation, physical review or production freeze from the remaining uncertainty.
NEXT DECISIONS
Move forward from the question that remains open.
Need to connect these separate approvals to one supplier workflow? See how the full product-development service carries them into one production handover.
Contact us with the decision the next sample must resolve
Send the product reference, current material direction, quantity by colour and size, timing, current sample stage, approved items, and what still needs a decision.