Apparel pattern makers are the backbone of a garment production unit. An efficient pattern maker can make or break a garment business with his skills. In the realm of apparel production, pattern-making and grading are crucial steps. It is an important factor that helps determine the fit and sizing of garments. Garment measurement spec sheets play a pivotal role in this process. It serves as a blueprint for creating patterns and grading sizes. Well-crafted fashion tech packs and garment measurement spec sheets are the base where you can start the process. Let’s explore how spec sheets play a crucial role in garment pattern making and grading to enhance precision and efficiency.
What is a Garment Measurement Spec Sheet?
Many confuse between tech packs and garment measurement spec sheets. But both are different and their functions are different. Tech packs explain the technical specifications of the garment. This includes detailing such as stitching, prints and embroidery, washing, trims, etc. Whereas the Garment measurement spec sheet provides details about size and fit measurements. Garment Spec sheets are detailed documents outlining measurements of a garment. It is the base reference point that helps prepare the base pattern of a style. There are two ways and methods to prepare measurement spec sheets. One is by taking the body measurement and the 2nd method is by measuring a garment sample. They typically include the following.
Body Measurements
Measurements of the human body are used as a reference for garment sizing, such as chest, waist, hip, and inseam. Pattern makers add allowance while preparing patterns when referring to body measurements. This is a standard practice when you take body measurements and prepare a pattern. Garment spec technicians provide the acceptable allowance and tolerance in the spec sheet.
Garment Measurements
Another way of preparing a spec sheet is by measuring a finished garment. This includes the length and width of various parts such as sleeves, collar, hem, and other panels. This is a part of reverse engineering brands do when they try to replicate other brands. Also, brands make the sample first considering only the base measurements. If the sample comes out well and fits well, the measurement is taken from that sample.
Fit and Sizing Information
There are two different standard sizes in the USA. So understanding the size segment and the target segment is important. Intended details on fit, such as slim, regular, or relaxed, are important before pattern making. Also, the intended target market and their size range is an important factor to consider.
Construction Details
Garment stitching and construction details play an important role in making the pattern. With the stitching and garment construction details, we can understand the required allowance. This will help in making garment patterns and grading.
Garment Pattern Making Using Garment Measurement Spec Sheets
To make the pattern there needs to be some base measurement as a reference point. The spec sheet contains detailed measurements for each size that serves as a guide for pattern making. The process starts with the review. The Patten maker reviews the spec sheet the design and measurements required. The fashion flat sketch should also attached with the spec sheet. Once the review process is done the pattern maker prepares the base pattern. This pattern serves as the foundation for all other sizes. Using the spec sheet’s grading rules, the pattern maker grades the base pattern to get the size set. The spec sheet and pattern must be compared and refined throughout the process. This helps refine both the pattern and spec sheet. Let’s dive deep into each process in detail.
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Reviewing the Spec Sheet before Garment Pattern Making
A pattern maker must review the measurement spec sheet with a fashion design sketch. The shape of the style and the measurements given should align. The review process starts with the design, style, and measurements required for the garment. The effectiveness of this process depends on the pattern makers’ experience.
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Creating the Base Pattern
The pattern maker prepares a base pattern using the measurement spec sheet. The base pattern is prepared based on the sample size specified in the spec sheet. This pattern serves as the foundation for all other sizes. In this process, the standard practice is to refer to the body measurement. This ensures that the pattern will result in garments that fit the intended standard.
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Checking Measurements
The pattern maker checks the pattern and refers back to the spec sheet. This process helps both the pattern and the measurement spec sheet and adjust to the right fit. This is a two-way process and both the spec sheet and pattern are adjusted. This is to ensure the pattern’s measurements match the requirements for each size.
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Adjusting Patterns
Garment measurement spec sheets also help pattern makers adjust patterns for fit and styling requirements. They can make modifications based on the garment measurements and construction details specified in the spec sheet.
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Finalizing the Pattern
Patterns are cross-verified with the graded measurement spec sheet. This process is executed before the patterns are finalized. The patterns are then used to cut fabric for sample development for the style. This is again tested for fit and adjusted if necessary.
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Grading the Pattern
Pattern maker users the grade rules in the spec sheet to prepare size set patterns for each size. Grading involves systematically varying the dimensions of the pattern pieces. This is to maintain the design’s proportions across sizes. Grading is the process of scaling a pattern up or down to create additional sizes. Pattern makers use the garment measurement spec sheet to determine the grading rules. This ensures that the proportions and fit are consistent across sizes.
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Size Range Determination
Garment measurement spec sheets help determine the sizing range for a garment. This is prepared as required by buyers’ choice and the target market and fit requirements. Graders use this information to establish the base size and grade up and down from there.
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Grading Rules
Grading rules define how much each part of the pattern should be scaled up or down to create each size in the range. Graders use the garment measurement spec sheet to determine these rules. This ensures that the grading is accurate and consistent.
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Accuracy and Consistency
The pattern maker ensures consistency across all sizes in the range in the spec sheet. Pattern maker ensures consistency by following the measurements and specifications outlined. It helps maintain the integrity of the design and fit.
Garment measurement spec sheets are invaluable tools in pattern making and grading. It provides a detailed guide that helps in the creation of patterns and grading rules. Pattern makers can enhance precision, consistency, and efficiency in production using spec sheets. This leads to better-fitting garments and helps satisfy customers. Urban Purple is a fashion design agency that offers fashion tech packs and spec sheets. We have a solution that offers pre-made tech packs and spec sheets through our tech pack templates store. So, if you are starting a brand with generic styles wait no more and visit our tech pack template store.