Product Development of Clothing

Clothing production is not as exciting as attending fashion week or visiting a fashion designers new brand launch party.  However, the manufacturing process is clearly very important to the apparel industry.  Here at the Blog About Fashion, we like to discuss fashion trends, celebrity spotting, etc., but we also like to on occasion report on important aspects that are behind the scenes in our industry.  Today I wanted to briefly discuss a few important components of the garment production process.

1. Pattern Making
2. Pattern Grading
3. Marker Making

A pattern in sewing and fashion design is the paper or cardboard template from which the parts of a garment are traced onto fabric before cutting out and assembling (these are often referenced as paper patterns).  The creating of the patterns are typically made by a professional pattern maker.

Pattern grading is an essential part of pattern making. Grading rules determine how patterns increase or decrease to create different sizes.  Fabric type also influences the pattern grading standards. 

After the pattern maker develops the first patterns, samples are usually made in one size.  If the sample meets expectations and the clothing companies determines the garment is viable for production, they will then move to the pattern grading step in the product development process.

Patterns initially are made in only one size. In order to produce clothing that fits various body types and sizes, the pattern pieces must be increased or decreased geometrically to create a complete range of sizes. The process of re-sizing the initial pattern is called "grading."  For example, the sample size 10 patterns must be made larger to accommodate sizes 12, 14 and 16 and smaller for sizes 8 and 6.

When the manufacturing company is ready to manufacture the style, all of the sizes of each given pattern piece are arranged into a marker, usually by computer. The marker is then laid on top of the layers of fabric and cut.

Learn more about grading clothing and apparel marker making from the fashion directory website.

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