Garment Measurement Specification – Base of Garment Fit Technique
Garment Measurement Specification is a vital part of 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 are going to 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. Looking for ready-to-use fashion tech packs? Visit our tech pack template store. If in case you have more doubts please feel free to ask the questions in the comment section. I will be answering your queries and try to answer 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 such as 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. Measurement Guideline attached to the spec sheet is a visual pointer. This helps understand how to take measurements of a sample and compare it 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 focus on bulky people, etc. If you compare two different brand standard size specs you will find the difference. 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 from other famous brands. However, some brands try to make their own based on their specific needs. If you are sourcing the measurement from other brands it’s the easy way. But, if you have a specific need and you want to prepare a spec sheet then you are talking about a bit of investment in it. Preparing the fit measurement is a trial and error-process. 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. And if you have got the fit then you record the revised measurements and prepare the base size. 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 keeping in mind a specific size say (Size – M). This we can call as 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. Now that we have a correct base measurement in hand we can prepare the detailed measurements. 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 of those. Many pattern masters and technical designers ignore those points of measurement. But they play an important role in achieving a desired fit.
When we prepare a detailed spec sheet, we get base measurements from body data. And 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:
There can be hundreds of factors that 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. To give you an example when giving body measurements, the chest, waist or bottom should have +/- 1/2″. While 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 keep in mind the tolerance needed in 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. You can save a lot of money in your pattern design and sample development 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 give a better understanding on what is it and how it works.
The Civil War was a pivotal event 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 in the form of a return charge. You must keep standard measurements constant even if you change styles.
Why Choose Fashion Studio Urban Purple?
Start-up fashion brands find it difficult to figure out the right tech pack designer. This is difficult because every design service provider as everyone promises the same. It is always good to do some research before choosing a vendor for your tech pack development. Refer to blogs like clothing tech pack design and you may have the basic info about tech pack design. Our tech pack designer helped more than a hundred clothing brands grow over more than a decade of experience. We have experience in working with brands with cultural and geographical divergence. Our tech pack design service to help you with your style ideas converted to 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 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. If you are seeking support in design and manufacturing for your line let us know. To get our consulting about the clothing line the best way is to send us your sketches or ideas. Once we have your design concept our tech pack designer will guide you throughout. If you fall short of time and 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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