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Making the "GRADE" a matter of size. Pattern grading and size differences
sewtofit   Advanced TX USA Member since 6/1/11 Posts: 16	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/9/11 11:16 PM I thought my blog entry for today would make for interesting conversation...enjoy. ...Fitting issues plague everybody. But those of us that sew for ourselves seem to be on a quest for the perfect fit. Thus, we sew through pattern after pattern in hopes to find the perfect fit, or make the pattern fit. Others of us, buy our clothes from mainstream producers of the garment industry and come to those of use who sew, to make that special garment fit using a multitude of alterations. For those of us that sew, sizing and the pattern "Grade" matters. In 2008 I went back to school in hopes of understanding patterns better. It was a success. Did I learn everything there? No, but all education is a success in my eyes... As for commercial patterns, I learn more and more from working right here at home. But the one class that did absolutely teach me the greatest amount of knowledge that has clarified my understanding of the pattern designing and fitting systems, was the class called Pattern Grading. I shall fondly think of my instructor, Diane Brett, from Houston Community College, everytime I cut into a commercial pattern. (I can see clearly now....the lines between sizes are no longer blurred. Ok, I'll get to the point....I learned that in grading between sizes, the "average" industry standard is to increase sizes incrementally in groups. So, sizes 2-4-6 and 8 have a 1" size difference between each numbered size. Sizes starting up from 8 to 10 to 12 is a pattern grade of 1.5" and from 12 to 14 to 16 to 18 and beyond is graded by 2 inches. Well this is knowledge that is helpful going into the patternmaking and commercial pattern manipulation process. Until today, this system simplified working with commercial patterns. BUT....I noticed that Burda is the bad boy. The odd man out. The rebel, the one that skipped that class. You see, since I started school, I had not been buying many patterns, especially Burda. I just loved taking a coffee break and looking through their magazine, but never traced a pattern. I don't like tracing. (I see now everybody does it, and so I ventured to start tracing some of these beautiful designs...."I want to be part of the "in crowd".) I even went out and purchased a pattern to check out the "J" curve of the crotch... I love it... This makes sizing this pattern so, so much easier. But upon closer manipulation I find this... Now this should be a 2" Grade from size 12-14, 14-16, 16-18 and so on. And of course, the average female fashionista would faint if she was told she wears a size 44 pant size. Whew! try explaining that one to your custom clothing client, or a model for that matter.... ...to be blogged later.. but the skirt is Vogue ??? and the bustier is my design. Back to the GRADE! You see, the industry standard of grading is as mentioned earlier: 1" sz 4-8, 1.5" sz 8-12 and 2" sz 12 & up. What does that mean to us... The main grade, or measurement between each size is either 1", 1.5" or 2" in the finished size. Each main block, i.e. pant, bodice, skirt side seam is divided by 4, giving us 1/4" per seam for size 6 to 8, 3/8" per seam for size 10-12, and 1/2" per seam for size 14-16 and beyond. In this sleeve pattern, the grade changes between sizes, as I learned. The sideseams, grade different from a sleeve. But you get the point. A simplicity pattern showing the difference in size grades. That equates, in the case of Burda, to a loss of 1 1/2" in the upper sizes in comparison to other pattern companies. Burda does a "straight grade" for all sizes. So those of us that have gotten used to having a "weighted grading scale" with the big four. Sorry, but you now are in a lower percentile ranking. Thus you have to essentiallly cut a larger size than even the big four. Burda, says that a 34 is size 8, a 36 is size 10, 38= size 12, 40 = size 14 and thus 42= 16. Sooooo, now I have to cut a size "46/18!!!!" in burda on the bottom. Aaaagh!! So much for vanity. Shhhhh! Don't tell. Happy fitting... Blog: http://sewtofit-andrea.blogspot.com/ -- Edited on 7/9/11 11:17 PM -- -- Edited on 7/9/11 11:20 PM -- ------ Andrea Www.sewtofit-Andrea.blogspot.com
Member since 12/31/69	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/10/11 2:21 AM I'm not entirely clear on what you consider "straight grade". Burda patterns use metric measurements, inches mean nothing. Sizes 34-46 have bust/waist/hip measurements 4cm apart, then 6cm from size 46 to 48 and up to 52.
Cathy Loves Fabric   Intermediate USA Member since 4/16/04 Posts: 1820	Login to reply to this post In reply to sewtofit Like this post Date: 7/10/11 2:35 AM Great information. I taught myself to grade by following multi-size pattern grading, so this information is a gem. Thanks! ------ My hope is to sew to the very end. They'll find my head slumped over my precious Kenmore 19606 and have to pry the seam ripper from my cold, dead hands.
Erica B. Advanced AL Member since 6/6/06 Posts: 358	Login to reply to this post Like this post Subject: Making the GRADE a matter of size. Date: 7/10/11 10:36 AM I'm not saying that I disagree with your findings, because by doing simple math... it makes sense. BUT -- I disagree as it relates to me. I find that ALL of the Big 4 companies have entirely too much ease in their patterns. Burda gets it right. ------ Erica B. Birmingham, AL http://www.ericabunker.com
stirwatersblue Intermediate KS USA Member since 12/13/08 Posts: 2532	Login to reply to this post Like this post Subject: Making the GRADE a matter of size. Date: 7/11/11 2:38 PM Brilliant post!! This explains so much (like why there is such a HUGE difference between a size 8 and a size 10 pair of pants!). ------ ~Gem in the prairie

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