Very few bodies match the body that a pattern was drafted for. We have a size 14 bust, size 18 waist, size 16 hips and are 4 inches shorter (or taller) that the pattern was made for. Some patterns do include the major measurement points, but most don’t. And being TOLD to grade between sizes doesn’t help when you don’t have the experience to figure out where and what to do.

Our system is designed to make that process an easier one. The first thing you look at is adjusting the pattern for your fit. There are steps in the construction process for you to check the fit of the garment. Let’s look at the first step, adjusting the pattern using the free pattern – 1001 The Tee.

Page 3 in the instructions ask that you input your Full Bust, Front Length and Hip into the chart.

We’re going to show you two examples. First up, someone with a 34 inch bust, 25 inch waist, 36 inch hips and prefers a 26 inch length for the shirt.

Working from the top, we start with a size 30 (round down for a closer fit, round up for a more relaxed fit), find the length and mark the hip.

Connect the dots, 1 to 3 and 3 to 2.

Repeat for the Back (B). Use size 30 for the Neck Binding (C or D) and use the 36 inch mark for the Hem Band (F). The Micro Pockets are sized, but make that choice based on your preferences.

Second example:

Someone with a 39 inch bust, 40 inch waist, 38 inch hips and prefers a 25 inch length for the shirt. 

Since the waist is larger than the hip, we use the waist measurement instead of the hip for the third dot.

Repeat for the Back (B). Use size 40 for the Neck Binding (C or D) and use the 38 inch mark for the Hem Band (F). The Micro Pockets are sized, but make that choice based on your preferences.