Directional wax prints: approve the cutting direction before buying

Find the visual top

Open enough fabric to see several complete motifs. Mark the chosen top on a separate reference sheet, with the product number and face side. Rotate the sample through half a turn beside the original view. Ask the designer whether the change is acceptable; a floral or geometric name alone does not settle direction.

Draw arrows on every panel

Put the same top arrow on front, back, sleeves and visible facings. A panel may follow its grainline while still showing an inverted motif. Keep structural grain and visual direction as separate notes. If the two requirements conflict, let the pattern maker resolve the layout rather than turning a panel simply to fill a gap.

Compare two real layouts

Use the intended size mix and measured usable width to compare an approved one-way arrangement with any permitted rotation. Record actual lengths from the trial. Do not add a universal percentage for direction: motif placement and panel shape can change the result. Six yards per wax piece is a sales specification, not a guaranteed garment yield.

Carry direction into the order

Attach the approved direction image to the cutting file and retain a sample for the workshop. Ask Rose about the selected product and current options without assuming the catalogue image establishes an available batch. Review direction again if a substitute design is offered; approval of the original print does not automatically cover it.

A practical comparison