Sloper Measurement Accuracy
 
We all know it is difficult to take accurate measurements and often one has to make a garment or two before proper measurements are confirmed.
 
The following is a suggested and proven approach for confirming proper measurements.
 
Step 1: Reflect and Notate
Before you take and utilize your body measurements, it is a wise idea to sit and think for a moment and notate on paper what your typical fitting problem areas are. Ask yourself what alterations you commonly must perform to either ready-to-wear or to patterns in order to obtain a proper fit. Make a list of how your body differs from the 'norm'.
 
Step 2: Take your Measurements
Have a friend assist you with your measurements.
 
Step 3: Enter your measurements into the software.
 
Step 4: Examine the Resulting Sloper
Does it look normal? If not, what looks strange, and is the strangeness a surprise, based on what you notated in Step 1?
 
Step 5: Compare your Sloper to the Closest Standard Size
Look at your body measurements and compare them to the measurements of the closest standard size. In making this comparison, armed with the knowledge of how you differ from the 'norm', you should be able to detect what body measurement is 'off'. For example, if you generally have to alter the shoulder seams of a standard size, because you are more sloped than average, you should expect to see more slope in your shoulder.
 
Step 6: Sew a Sample Garment
Once you have confirmed measurements and retaken those that are necessary, it is time to sew a sample garment and check fit there.
 
Refer to pages 5-15 through 5-23 in the manual to assist you in understanding Refined-Fit slopers and Testing Fit.