Basic pattern development - Garment Fit

Garment Fit

 

Pattern Development

At the very beginning of this industry, pattern making was done by skilled workers who were primarily illiterate. W. H. Hulme wrote in his book "The Practice of Garment Pattern making" wrote that the Clothing Industry has been productive in developing systematic methods of applying descriptive data, many of these pattern systems have not been clearly stated. Several years of research on techniques various pattern systems suggest that method adopted may be unrelated to, or divorced from, principles of pattern making.  The systems do not state the principles applied have wide variations and are based on the assumptions.
Philip Kunick in his book Modern sizing and pattern Making for Women's and children's Garments has written that it is still a common practice to teach pattern construction for the wholesale trade by means of a drafting scale based on a girth measurement, not only for fixing points or locating parts, but also for drafting a garment of any size. This is rarely done in the wholesale trade, where it is the general practice to cut a pattern in a standard size indication that the exact dimensions are not known and proportionate measurements must be used as substitutes; with the result that extreme sizes, drafted to a hypothetical scale, rarely give a satisfactory fit.
There were just 18 pattern cutting books including Alcega's published from the 16th century to the 19th century in Europe. This fact can be attributed largely to high levels of illiteracy and innumeracy prevalent amongst pattern makers, tailors and dress makers at that time. Traditionally the skills were passed to the apprentices through demonstration and verbal instructions.

Garment Fitting

Apparel fit is the relationship between the size and contour of garment and those of the human body. A well fitted garment is a garment that hangs smoothly and evenly on the body, with no pulls or distortion of the fabric, straight seams, pleasing proportions, no gaping, no constriction of the body, and adequate ease for movement.  Hems are parallel to the floor unless otherwise intended, and the garment armscyes and crotch do not constrict the body. It can be defined as a simple matter of length and width in each part of the pattern being correct for the human figure.

Introduction to Fit

Fit refers to how well a garment conforms to the three-dimensional human body. Good fit is crucial to customer satisfaction. However, it is often easier to find clothes in right colours, prices and style that one likes than a well-fitted garment. The effect of a stunning design, gorgeous fabric and exquisite workmanship are destroyed if the finished garment doesn't fit well to the intended wearer. Fit problems may be caused due to careless design, construction or may be the result of individual characteristics of an individual's body. No two


bodies are alike, and sometimes even the left and right halves of the same body are not mirror images of each other.
New technology promises to overcome these problems; a new computer system can optically measure an individual's body in three dimensions. This data is then converted to a computerized, individual pattern, a man's suit designed by this method is ready to be cut out and ready to sew within 7 minutes of receipt of the measurement data. The resultant garments fit accurately as the computerized scanner detects subtle nuances in the shape of the body that normal measurement systems are unable to read. These systems are on the stage of trial; but they would be costly and would take a long time to be readily available.

There are varying opinions on what comprises a good fit. Personal preferences regarding fit are governed by current fashion trends, cultural influences, age, sex, figure type, and lifestyle. The intended end use of the garment also affects the desired fit. For example, a person needs more ease for active sportswear than for spectator sportswear like in a tracksuit.

The relation between the size charts and body dimensions is not constant because of the changes that occur in the human population. Recent body surveys in UK, US, China, Germany and other countries proved that a garment sizing system for a certain body type does not cover more than the 25 per cent of the population for which it is addressed. Correct sizing is a prerequisite to good fit and customer satisfaction. Fit is a function of sizing and it affects comfort, durability of a garment. Sizing is often overlooked as an important issue.

Elements of Fit

The elements of fit are the parameters on which the evaluation of Fit is generally based on, these are also referred to as five classical elements of fit:-

Grain: for a good fit the garment should be cut on the right grain or in other words on grain. An on grain garment hangs evenly and appears symmetrical. If the garment is off-grain, it will not hang straight. The garment and seam lines may twist or hang crooked because the fabric on each half of the garment behaves differently. Deviation in the grain line is a result of wrong cutting or stitching or even due to a poor posture of the wearer or figure irregularities that may interfere with the grain of the garment as it hangs on the body.

Set: refers to a smooth fit without any undesirable wrinkles. Wrinkles caused by poor set cannot be ironed out, but result from the way the garment fits the wearer. Set wrinkles usually occur because the garment is too large or too small for the wearer and the garment hangs or sags when worn.

Line: refers to the alignment of the structural lines of the garment with the natural lines of the body. Side seams of the garment should hang like a plumb line down the centre of the side of the body. It should be perpendicular to the floor. Centre front and centre back likewise should fall centre of the front and back of the body and be perpendicular to the floor. Darts and seams such as shoulder seams should visually appear to be straight lines that follow the body part they are intended to fit. Other seam lines should be gradually curving lines like necklines, waistlines, hiplines and armholes. Poor design or construction can result in an out of line garment. Even figure irregularities can distort the lines of the garment.


Balance: occurs when the garment is in equilibrium. The right and left side of the garment appear evenly balanced or symmetrical, when viewed from front, back or side of the garment. A skirt is balanced if the legs of the wearer are in the centre and are not touching the front or back of the skirt. Balance relates to grain and line in the garment. A garment is out of balance when it is cut off grain, causing it to hang unevenly. Also if the line of the garment does not follow the line of the body, it will hang out of balance. Poor posture or lack of symmetry in the wearer's body is another likely cause of it.

Ease: refers to the amount of roominess in a garment. Ease is the difference between the measurements of the body of the intended wearer and the measurements of the garment. There are two kinds of ease: fitting ease and design ease. Fit ease is in direct contact with the body and is responsible for the comfort factor and design ease of the garment is for aesthetic appearance. A garment must contain adequate ease beyond the actual measurements of the wearer to allow room for ordinary movements like walking, sitting, reaching out and even breathing. Ease in this context is called Fitting ease. Design ease is the extra style fullness added to the fitting ease. All the garments have fitting ease but design ease is optional as it is added purely for the sake of appearance and giving the garment its style.

Evaluating Fit

In evaluating the fit of the garment, all the sides of the garment must be examined. The fitting should start from the top and move downwards. The analysis of fit is a complex process and remains a challenge, for both industry and customers. Apparel fit is a complex issue but of great importance for judging perfect clothing appearance, and that various technologies used, such as a 3D simulated form, may lead to more efficient decision making in the process of product development and quality control. The following body parts should appear as:

Shoulders

Shoulders should appear smooth and feel comfortable. Seam should lie on top of the shoulder. In regular styles the arm scye seam should fall on edge of the wearers shoulder. The shoulders of the garment should be wide enough so that the sleeves hang smoothly. If the shoulders are too narrow, the sleeves will pull across the upper arm and cause wrinkles. If fashion trends require the shoulders to be narrow or wider the pattern still should allow sufficient movement. The shoulder slope of the garment should match the shoulder slope of the wearer.

Bust

Bust/Chest if the garment is too small, the seams or closures are at the centre front or back are going to pull and gape open. A larger bust or highly developed chest often causes the button closure to gape open at centre front or back, also the garment may ride up because the larger bust curves takes up more length. A well-fitted dart always points towards the fullest part of the of the body curve it is intended to fit. The tip of the dart should end about an inch before the fullest part of the curve. Darts that are too short or darts that extend beyond

the fullest part of the curve result in a bubble at the dart tip. Darts occurring anywhere in the garment follow the same principle. The practice of eliminating darts to speed construction creates diagonal wrinkles on the bodice front.

Neckline

Necklines should be large enough to fit without pulling or chafing but not so large that it doesn't lie flat against the body in front and back. The front of the basic neckline should always be lower than that of the back.

Collar

Collar the most important factor in the fit of the collar is the neck circumference. The circumference of the collar should be at least 1/4th of an inch bigger than that of the neckline or just large enough for one to insert two fingers between the neck and collar. A properly fitted collar should be smooth and stays in place when the wearer moves. It should not be so tight that it pulls. A tight collar is uncomfortable and makes the neck look large. But neither should it be so loose that it gapes.

Armscye

Armscye must fit well for the garment to be comfortable and attractive. The circumference of the arm scye should be large enough so they do not pull at the front and back of the garment, but not so large that it gapes. In a well-fitted armscye, the base of the arm scye is cut close to the armpit, but not so close that it bites into the armpit. It should be cut about an inch below the armpit. This provides adequate comfort, room for movement, and close fit without wrinkles in the armscye area. If the armscye are too tight they are snug and uncomfortable. Armscye in the front should be more deeply cut than at the back as most of the movements are in the front.

Sleeves

Sleeves that fit well are attractive and comfortable. The circumference of the basic sleeve should be loose enough so that it does not bind or has wrinkles horizontally around the arm. A tight sleeve apart from being uncomfortable makes normal arm movements impossible. Sleeves can be as loose as one wants but only problem would be to wear the garment under a fitted jacket. A well-set jacket sleeve hangs with a slight angle towards the front. The crosswise grain at the bicep should lie parallel to the floor.

Waistline

Waistline fit is essential for comfort. The waistline of the garment should not be so tight that it binds and rolls. It should have plenty of room for breathing and eating and it should return to its position after the arms are raised or lowered. It should not be so loose that it stands away from the body, droops, or adds bulk when a top or shirt is tucked in or worn under another garment. The narrowest part of the garment should fall at the wearer's waist. If there are buttons at the waist the garment should not pull or strain at the closure. A jacket should be big enough at the waist so that a person can sit even when it is buttoned.

Hips

The fit of the hip area is critical for fitting skirts or trousers. If there is adequate room in the hip area other parts of the garment can easily be altered to fit. Garments with enough room in the hip, thigh and abdomen area fit smoothly without pulling, wrinkling or riding up. Pocket, pleats or vents that open up indicate that garment is tight in the hip or abdomen area. If the garment has excess ease in hip or thigh area it will result in vertical folds.

Crotch/Seat

Trousers and other bifurcated garments require a  well-fitted  crotch  for  comfort  and durability. A properly fitted crotch doesn't cut or bind the wearer between the legs and conforms to the shape of the buttocks. There should be slight but not excessive ease in the crotch area. Crotch length generally has one inch of ease in the crotch area for trousers. The back of the crotch seam should be longer and more deeply curved than the front as the backside of the buttocks are more curved than the front. Bigger sizes require longer and deeper curved crotch lengths at the back. Diagonal wrinkles radiating from the crotch area are the result of, crotch curve not long enough to accommodate the size of the buttocks. Diagonal wrinkles in the front may also be due to the wearer's big abdomen. Wrinkles emanating upward from the crotch area indicate a too tight and high crotch, resulting in chafing and discomfort. Wrinkles emanating downwards from the crotch area indicate a low and loose crotch; it bags and sags, restricts walking and has increased probability of ripping from strain of movement. If the rise may be lengthened or shortened, the waistband should also be raised or lowered. Rise should not be lengthened or shortened in the crotch length as the same may lead to problems where none existed.

Another important rule of the fitting apart from knowing how to fit is when not to fit. Clothes must not only fit but need to flatter as well. There is absolutely no need to fit a garment so close to the body that it looks bad, also there is no need to stick to the design if it does not flatter the body. The real expertise lies in the fact that one is able to strike a balance between the lines of the design and the lines of the figure. The ability to do this is a skill that one learns by training the eye to see and judge as to what flatters the body.

Fitting is like sculpturing it creates a three dimensional form. Another question that is frequently asked is how many times one should fit, the answer to this is as many times as it takes to fit well.

Other Factors in Fit

Mathematical calculations and pattern corrections alone cannot guarantee the fine fit of the garment. They can only provide an approximation of one's figure needs. The other points to be considered are:

The style of the garment whether it suits oneself or not. The necessary and sufficient ease in the garment.
The posture and the individual shape of the wearer.

These can truly be evaluated only on a fabric test fit. Since only minor changes can be made once the garment has been cut on the fabric. Hence a test fit can save lot of wastage. There are times when test fit is not necessary, those are when one is sure of the style, know from experience how to adjust the pattern, have sufficient material to re-cut if necessary and have sufficient seam allowances to borrow in emergencies. But if one has any doubts whatsoever, then test fitting is a must.
Commonly used test material is muslin, bleached or unbleached, should be used in a similar weight to that of the final fabric. Any other solid coloured plain weave fabric like poplin in a similar weight to final fabric would do. A plain surface is recommended as this clearly shows all seams, darts and other style details. Layout the pattern cut and mark your test fit fabric with equal amount of care as you would your final garment fabric.
Put the trial muslin together. The quickest way to get the effect of the finished garment without actual stitching is to overlap and pin all the seams lines. Pinning gives the same result and information, that one wants without going to the machine. It is so much faster and easier to unpin and then re-pin than to rip stitching and re-stitching.
Pins should be placed at right angle to the seam line, as in this method there is least amount of strain or pull on the seam, and it does not gape. While test-fitting trousers remember to baste stitch the crotch seam instead of pinning.
Check the test fit muslin and make correction till fully satisfied. Mark all the corrections and the same should be transferred on the pattern for it is the paper pattern that one should use to cut the final fabric and not the test fit muslin. Mark new notches as the old ones may not hold good after the alterations. Check the lengths of two matching seams to ensure that the alterations have not created more problems, e.g. if you have corrected the dart intake of side seam dart in the front, check to ensure that both the side seams are still equal or not and if required make the necessary changes.

Methods of Fitting

There are two kinds of fitting:

One is the first test fit that is done on muslin at the time when the pattern is made. A basic test fit is done to check the pattern fitting; the pattern is cut with relevant seam allowances and pinned in place for test fitting. Make sure that seams and darts are in place. This fitting is always done from the right side of the garment, as it is easier to make changes and corrections. These corrections become the new seam lines for the garment. Check the garment for ease and fullness. It is important to mark buttons and buttonholes at right places in this fit.
The second is after the garment has been stitched before final finishing. Stitch the garment with relevant interfacing/ or underlining in place press it well and test fit to check the position of darts, seams, puckers if any and locate the position of outer seams. This type of fitting refines and perfects the fit of the garment.
Other times, when refitting becomes essential are, if readymade garment has been

purchased from the market some alterations may be required for it to be fitted to an individual's size and also if there are changes in the body size, like if someone has grown thin or has put on weight or if a child has gained height, refitting may become necessary. The methods by which each pattern seam or area is to be corrected and altered depends on the type of problems and nature of the fitting defect.