06 Most Burning Questions Answered about Pattern Making

Pattern is like parent. A good parent nurtures a good child, and a right pattern yields right sample. This is the art of manipulating and shaping a flat piece of fabric to conform to one or more curves of the human figure. Pattern Making is the one of the most crucial reason behind the success and failure of any garment manufacturing project. We have tried to answer some of the most asked questions with best of our garment manufacturing experience.

01. What is a pattern?

A pattern is the template from which the parts of a garment are traced onto fabric before being cut out and assembled. Patterns are usually made of paper, and are sometimes made of sturdier materials like paperboard or cardboard if they need to be more robust to withstand repeated use.

02. Why are patterns needed?

In order to create a garment, your private label manufacturer will need the patterns for your required design to cut the fabric and assemble your garment together. Once the pattern is created for your design, it can be reused repeatedly (regardless of how many garments you create). This means that once you have a pattern for your design created, you can use it to produce any amount of garments needed at the production stage.

03. What is the process of making a pattern?

We use a flat-pattern method. This is where the entire pattern is drafted on a flat surface from measurements using rulers, curves and straight-edges. Usually, flat patterns begin with the creation of a block pattern, a simple basic template pattern used to establish overall fit and measurement (without any design features). Final designs are usually then drafted form block patterns. However, block patterns are not compulsory but it is usually advised if you are creating multiple designs for consistent measurement and fit through your range.

04. What do we need to make a pattern?

Ideally, a technical pack is used to create a pattern. This includes a technical drawing, a precise and detailed flat drawing of a design that show the measurements and all design details. Alternatively, We can also work from existing garments or existing patterns (Any alterations must be stated in writing with measurements).

05. What is pattern grading?

Pattern grading is the process of shrinking or enlarging a finished pattern to accommodate the finished garment to people of different sizes. Grading rules determine how patterns increase or decrease to create different sizes. Fabric type also influences pattern grading standards.

06. What are the methods of pattern making and which is better?

Which one is better - is a debatable question. However, there are two prominent methods - manual by hand and other way of doing with help of a software on computer. Pattern making today has become an easy job with the use of the computers. Now-a-days different softwares are available in the market to meet the needs of the manufacturers. The different softwares used are Gerber, Lectra, Tukatech , OptiTex etc. These softwares has made the job of the Pattern master easier. They have made the process of pattern making more economical and less time consuming.

However the traditional method of making pattern is more useful (only if an expert is on the job!) and carrying several advantages such as:

• A better pattern of the appropriate size manipulated to individual requirements results in a better fit.

• A pattern made in a thick paper or cardboard shall be maintained for a longer period of time and can be reused several times.

• By modifying the basic pattern pieces using the flat pattern technique, it is feasible to make patterns for intricate and original designs.

• A paper pattern of a specific size can be used to produce patterns of other sizes by means of a grading process.

• The errors that occur during pattern drafting can be corrected in the pattern itself.

• Patterns can be changed/modified according to the latest fashion trend.

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