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Vogue pattern sizes What do the letters in front mean?
Pamelita   Member since 3/20/07 Posts: 2	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/19/13 1:49 PM Hello to all, I'm a new FoPR. I am curious to know what the letters in front of the Vogue pattern sizes mean. I couldn't find it anywhere on their website. I will buy a jacket pattern V8333 and the sizes are A(6-8-10), D(12-14-16) and FW(18-20-22). I think I'm a 14 although my waist is a bit thicker. But what do the letters mean! Thank you experts!
DonnaH Intermediate TX Member since 10/1/03 Posts: 478	Login to reply to this post In reply to Pamelita << Like this post Date: 3/19/13 6:57 PM I think (and someone please correct me if I'm wrong), the letters merely correspond to a specific range of sizes. In this case A is 6-8-10. I'd guess B (if any patterns are available in it) would be 8-10-12, etc. I think all the big 4 do this now - it's very helpful for people who are a 12 bust and a 14 hip, for example, lol. And a bit less confusing than the patterns that come all sizes in one envelope. Not sure about FW, but I'd guess the W is for Women. I've also seen different letter for kids' sizes.
PattyE   Intermediate MI Member since 9/7/10 Posts: 652	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/19/13 8:08 PM Good question...I'm assuming A is 6, B is 8, C is 10, D is 12, and so on. But the FW makes no sense. Who knows?! LOL
Ruth C   Intermediate OR USA Member since 12/27/02 Posts: 265	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 3/19/13 9:00 PM The letters just designate which sizes are included in the pattern envelope--it is just a shorthand. If you ask for size "A" you will get the pattern with sizes 6, 8 and 10. When you order online or in a store, you would ask for size A not size 8. The FW just means Woman's sizes 18, 20 and 22, although why they don't just use F is strange (a little size prejudice showing?). I'm a size 22--I don't need to be reminded that that is fat.
NonieA1   Advanced FL USA Member since 11/3/10 Posts: 75	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/20/13 4:53 AM As I tell my clients-pattern sizes are just numbers. I wear a size 14-16 in RTW; a size 22 in patterns. When I was 16 years of age, I wore a size 16 pattern with the sizes 34/24/34-it is the pattern makers of the Big 4 that has introduced vanity sizing-no one on earth is a size 0-we all have measurements-even a skeleton. The fashion industry uses teenager bodies to design clothing as they are small and use less material. The range in sizes in patterns has been a godsend for those who have different measurement. I go to the Butterick/McCalls/Vogue/Simplicity sites and download their size charts so my clients have an idea of measurement prior to purchasing patterns-especially after I measure them. The look of disbelief on their faces is priceless. The measuring tape is rarely wrong. Hence, the use of muslins.
ksgentry   Advanced Beginner IN Member since 7/21/08 Posts: 3	Login to reply to this post In reply to Pamelita << Like this post Date: 3/20/13 12:12 PM I had been searching for a place to ask for help with this pattern when I came across your topic. I am currently working on Vogue 8333.. This is has been a new learning experience for me. I am using the FW size because of the bust size is closer to my daughter then any of the others. She was mortified when she saw the pattern size I selected but I explained to her that pattern sizes aren't always the same as RTW. I have been struggling with the pockets but think after I conquer that it should move right along.
GlButterfly Intermediate CA USA Member since 8/28/08 Posts: 2391	Login to reply to this post In reply to NonieA1 << 2 members like this. Date: 3/20/13 1:04 PM I believe you meant to say that it is the RTW industry which introduced vanity sizing, not the pattern makers. Pattern sizing has remained the same since the late 60s, which was when they did their last major re-vamping of sizes. At that time they pretty much correlated with RTW sizing. (In fact that is one way to date patterns as those from that time period will have "New Sizing" on the envelopes.) In the stores I have to look for garments two sizes smaller than I am used to in order to get the same gaments measurements. ------ I have not yet begun to procrastinate
Pamelita   Member since 3/20/07 Posts: 2	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/31/13 8:06 AM Thank you all for your replies, I guess these letters are just manufacturer´s lingo, but for us the main thing is that the measurements are close to ours! Ksgentry, good luck with the jacket for your daughter, it´s a beautiful design.
andye   Beginner VA USA Member since 5/9/09 Posts: 1534	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 3/31/13 2:32 PM "S","AA" and so on are for the retailer's benefit. Why treat yourself like an inventory clerk? The size number is the most important bit. If you're between a 12 and 14, you may occasionally have to buy two pattern packets--but luckily the size split is not always between 12 and 14. Sometimes it's between 10 and 12, sometimes it's between 14 and 16. Vintage patterns tend to be one size only, unless they've been reprinted. -- Edited on 3/31/13 2:34 PM --

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