Offering Infant AND Toddler Sizes Requires Two Patterns For Each Style
I managed to get my urgent pattern dropped off for grading yesterday. And I learned something new, which is awesome, but I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me before. I need to have an infant’s pattern and a toddler’s pattern made for each style. Especially for bottoms, because the room for the diaper in infant patterns requires a pattern change, not just a sizing change, between toddler and infant styles.
The first style that I had graded was a poncho, so there wouldn’t be much impact between toddler and infant growth; there’s really neck hole (already has a slit to ensure it eases over the head) and arm length to worry about with a poncho.
The standard sample size for infant clothes is 12 months, and standard sample size for toddler clothes is 2T. So, I was ok with the size 2T – and we can have that graded up fine. But, she has to do pattern adjustments to create a size 12 month pattern. I’ll work up a prototype, do a fitting, and then we’ll go from there.
I’m happy with this, because I was considering changing from size 2T to size 12 month patterns for my samples. At this stage, I felt ok with this change because: A) I haven’t created a ton of patterns at this point, nor anything I feel adament about using as block. B) Size 12 months clothes just look so darn cute compared to the size 2T clothes.
I went with size 2T samples because the kids are always walking by that age and the modelling should be easier. Now, I don’t have to compromise or lose what I’ve invested in…but I will start creating size 12 month samples as well. Here’s a link to an infant & children’s garment size chart: http://www.fibergypsy.com/common/children.shtml
It’s very exciting to be in the clothing sales now, and beyond the blankets, as magnificant as they are. 
Happy Sunday to all of you – I hope that you get some R & R.
3 comments February 25th, 2007