Pattern grading

Pattern grading is the scaling of a pattern to a different size by implementing important points of the pattern using an algorithm in the clothing and footwear industry.

History.

Early sewing patterns were made to fit a specific individual. One size was created by measuring various parts of the individual's body. The key parts of the individual's body that are measured are the bust, waist, and hip. The pattern pieces are made of the half of the garment piece. Often the patterns cut out of paper. The patterns did not include directions for orienting the pattern pieces on fabric, nor did they identify what part of the garment each piece represented. Re-sizing or grading the pattern was a complicated task for even the most skilled seamstress.

It was not until the 1850s that sewing patterns were made available to a slightly larger, but still affluent, public. American women could obtain a paper pattern custom made by a dressmaker or could purchase a pattern through a women's journal.

The advent of large-scale production of graded, practical and easier to use sewing patterns can be traced to 1867. Ebenezer Butterick mass-produced patterns printed on tissue paper.^[1] Patterns were available for purchase in a variety of sizes, one size per package.

It was not until the 1970s, when sales were lagging, that multi-size graded patterns became available.^{[2] [3]}

See also

• Shoe size

References