Garment Measurement Specification – Base of Garment Fit Technique
Garment Measurement Specification is important in fashion design, pattern making, and production. Apparel product development is a complex chronological process starting from tech pack design. Tech pack design is a systematic process that includes garment size specifications. And this process is the backbone of getting a perfect fit sample for a style. In this post, we will discuss the preparation of the measurement spec sheet in detail and try to go deep into it. Here we discuss fashion measurement standards, their contents, and preparation. As a tech pack designer, I will try to make it as simple as possible. Are you looking for ready-to-use fashion tech packs? Visit our tech pack template store. If you have more doubts please feel free to ask the questions in the comment section. I will answer your queries and try to answer them as clearly as possible.
What are garment fit specifications?
Precision is the foundation of every garment pattern we create. Our garment pattern-making service division initiates the meticulous pattern-making process. Normally, pattern masters refer to both fashion sketches and the garment measurement spec sheet. So, the spec sheet is the essential document for preparing garment patterns. It’s a comprehensive blueprint with measurements and guidelines for pattern-making. Whether you prepare a paper pattern or digital CAD pattern design, a garment size chart is essential.
Take a look at the sample Garment Measurement Spec Sheet below. On the left side, you’ll notice labels A, B, C, and D in the first column, each corresponding to markers on the color-coded guideline. The double-arrow lines indicate the precise start and end points for measuring. In the second column, you’ll find detailed names and explanations for each measurement point. Each row beyond that presents the measurements for various sizes, be it XS, S, M, L, and more. This meticulous approach guarantees accurate, consistent patterns tailored to your specific sizing needs.
Garment Dimension Specifications is a systematic table of presenting measurements of a style. It enables the Pattern master to refer to measurements of key points of a style to prepare a pattern. The measurement Guideline attached to the spec sheet is a visual pointer. This helps us understand how to take sample measurements and compare them with the spec sheet.
There are no certain definite numbers in a measurement. The Measurement spec sheet of different brands differs. This is because; every brand targets its customers differently. Some target the masses, some focus on people with well-built bodies, some concentrate on bulky people, etc. You will find the difference when comparing two different brand standard size specs. In short, every brand wants to prepare its version of the measurement spec sheet. So, they prepare their custom measurement spec sheet.
Preparing Garment Measurement Specification Sheet
Most apparel brands try to get the spec sheet by copying other famous brands. However, some brands make their own according to their specific needs. If you are sourcing the measurement from other brands it’s the easy way. You must invest in developing spec sheets if you are dealing with custom clothing. Preparing the fit measurement is a trial and error process in custom clothing styles. This starts with a sample development to check the fit. Adjustments are made to the sample and check if you have achieved the desired fit. Record the revised measurements and prepare the base size if the fit is right. If you fail to achieve it then check where the error is and rectify it. This process keeps repeating till you get the desired fit.
The above process keeps repeating till you get 100% fit of the garment style. Due to this, it is a time-consuming and expensive process. But once you have the correct measurement specification you can use the same forever.
Grading for Different Sizes
The base measurement is generally recorded considering a specific size (Size – M). This is a sample size and the fit is perfected to this sample size. Once the fit is finalized for sample size, the measurement is “graded” for a full range of sizes. The sizes could be XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL. Once you get the desired base measurement the next step is grading. Grading is the process of achieving measurements of different sizes for a style.
Point of Measurements:
So far we have discussed how to get the measurements through the trial and error method. We can prepare the detailed measurements now that we have a correct base measurement. Few measurements are less significant but play a vital role in the fit and look of a garment. Armhole curve, shoulder seam, and front neck drop are examples. Many pattern masters and technical designers ignore those points of measurement. But they play an important role in achieving a desired fit.
We get base measurements from body data when we prepare a detailed spec sheet. By using certain calculations we derive other measurements. Here we follow simple geometric rules to derive certain data. Also, there are few formulas applied to derive certain measurements. To prepare a garment measurement spec sheet you need no such heavy software. Even in hand or using Microsoft Excel you can prepare the spec sheet. The garment spec sheet should always be attached to the apparel tech pack.
Tolerance:
Hundreds of factors can cause variations in garment measurement.—sewing and garment construction, small errors in cutting, and so on. So, the technical designer should consider those variations in the spec sheet. It is important to keep some tolerance to cover the errors that may occur during the processing. For example, when giving body measurements, the chest, waist, or bottom should have +/- 1/2″. In comparison, small parts of the garment should have relatively smaller tolerance. It is up to the tech pack designer to give tolerance that can cover a variation during production.
Measuring garments as per size specs is a critical aspect of quality control. Quality garment exporters keep QCs who can check the fit. During bulk production, it is impossible to have all the garments identical. So in garment specs designers set a tolerance for each point of measurement. This allows a small margin for error which is acceptable during bulk production. When we prepare the spec sheet we must keep a certain acceptable margin. We call it tolerance and this is given in certain garment spec sheets. The technical designer should consider the tolerance needed when creating a spec sheet. Tolerance is often expressed as (+ / -) in the spec sheet with an acceptable amount.
Importance of Garment Measurement Specification In Apparel Design and Production
Apparel brands need detailed garment size specifications to make correct patterns and samples. Get ready with a tech pack and spec sheet of your styles before speaking to a clothing manufacturer. Your pattern design and sample development can save much money if your size charts are correct. Online stores put base-size guides to help customers find the best fit for their body type. I have written a detailed article about garment measurement specification components to understand better what it is and how it works.
The Civil War was pivotal in the historical development of men’s ready-made clothing. During the Civil War, the military used workers to sew custom-made uniforms at home under government contracts. As the war continued, manufacturers started to build factories that could quickly meet the demand for military clothing. Factories feel the need to develop standard sizes for mass production of uniforms. They found that certain sets of measurements of the soldiers repeat with conventional regularity. Consequently, after the war, factories used military measurements as the standard measurement for commercial use.
Ready-made clothing rarely fits due to a lack of consistency in garment measurement specifications. So take the help of a tech pack designer to get measurement specifications for your style. Most manufacturers follow a unique random sizing system based on erroneous body data. So, you find outfits of different measurements were often labeled the same size. As a result, you end up paying some extra as a return charge. You must keep standard measurements constant even if you change styles.
Why Choose Fashion Studio Urban Purple?
Start-up fashion brands struggle to figure out the right tech pack designer. This isn’t easy because every design service provider promises the same. It is always good to research before choosing a vendor for your tech pack development. Refer to blogs like Clothing Tech Pack Design you may have basic info about tech pack design. Our tech pack designer helped more than a hundred clothing brands grow over a decade of experience. We have experience working with brands with cultural and geographical divergence. Our tech pack design service helps you convert your style ideas into salable garments. We worked with many creative ideas and incorporated them into fashion styling. We treat up-and-coming brands and big brands with multi-stores in the same way.
Our priority is to respect every brand’s reputation and business ethics. We love our clients and support you to see you meet your goals. Let us know if you seek your line’s design and manufacturing support. Please send us your sketches or ideas for our consultation about the clothing line. Once we have your design concept our tech pack designer will guide you throughout. If you fall short of time and are looking for ready tech packs you may also check out our pre-tested garment tech packs. You can get tech packs from our tech pack template store.
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