On the 29th of April 2023, after 4 years, 3 months and 6 days of development, our first jacket went on sale.

It took just 34 hours, 24 minutes and 16 seconds to sell out.

Given that each jacket is hand crafted in limited numbers, the process of getting from order through to delivery isn’t always plain sailing. That said, it’s incredibly important to me that our customers are kept fully informed and up to date throughout production.

Rather than keep everything behind closed doors, what follows is the third full production update email that was sent out to our first customers.

After everything going to plan last week, this week has been a tale of chasing couriers.

The printed lining comes from Poland. It's one of the pieces of the puzzle that I haven't been able to find a local supplier for.

Still, their communication is fantastic, the product is incredible quality and their turn around is lightning fast.

With all my previous orders, it's taken no more than five days from supplying the artwork and paying the invoice through to delivery.

So far, we're on day 21.

Tracking the package, it was sent out 48 hours after placing the order. It moved across Poland to Duiven in the Netherlands within a day. That evening, it arrived in Dartford.

And there it stayed...

As of this morning, it's finally been released by customs, has moved to Bedford and I'm hoping it'll arrive with me tomorrow.

So what does this mean?

Of all the elements to be delayed, the printed lining is the most frustrating.

Once I get my hands on it, it needs to be delivered to the quilting factory where it'll be combined with the wool before I can take it over to the tailors to be measured, cut and stitched.

I'd booked our slot with the quilters as soon as the order books closed. Unfortunately, I've now lost that so my well ordered plan needs to pivot.

Still, no one said this was going to be easy, did they!

I'll keep you up to date with what this means for the final delivery date but I'll be doing my best to move things around to keep us on track.

Progress update

Delivered

• Gabardine

• Sleeve/pocket lining

• Interfacing

• Shoulder pads

• Wool quilting

• Hangtags

• Care labels

• Size labels

In transit

• Custom printed lining

• Ribbed cuffing

Under production

• Buttons

Still a little time

It was fantastic to catch up with some of you to go through final measurements.

The community element of Barnfield is such an important part of the whole project. I'd love to organise a get together where we can all meet and will be looking to sort something out once the jackets are delivered.

Given the delay on the lining, there's still a couple of days to book in a chat to finalise measurements.

That's it for this week. If we don't speak beforehand, I hope you enjoy the long weekend whatever you have planned!

Thanks,

Mark