Think about your favourite pair of jeans.

What makes them your favourite? It’s probably a mixture of things. The stretch and softness of the denim. The perfect washed colour. Perhaps the designer logo. And the way they hug you in all the right places – the way they fit. Well, fit is formed by the pattern.

So, the pattern is a component. It’s one you probably don’t even think about when it’s done well – but one you definitely notice if it’s not.

It’s the difference between the pair of jeans that dig in or drag down and – therefore – stay in the cupboard. As opposed to the pair you grab every time because they feel like a dream to wear.

In addition to great fit, customers want consistent sizing. There’s nothing more confusing – and annoying! – than needing one size in one garment and a different size in another.

Consistent sizing relies on consistent patterns. But all patterns for clothes are not created equal. In fact, there’s a lot of subjectivity based on the experience and capability of the pattern maker.

Heard of a ‘tech pack’?

Many mistakenly believe tech packs guarantee a great garment. Not true – they just provide the basic measurements to make a pattern. But a pattern is only as good as a pattern maker’s skills. It’s the knowledge learned over a career that makes the measurements fit well, feel great, and deliver consistent fit and sizing across multiple garments.