Steps to Production Series -Size Check Run and Fitting

What is the number one thing to do before going into full production? A Size Check run! In this blog, I will explain what a size check run is and why it is important to your overall production.

You are SO close to production, so so close but there’s one final step you can’t afford to skip! And that’s a size check run, or SCR. The reason this is so important is because up until now you have only seen your base size and it’s important to see one size large or one extra small before you produce multiples. 

The first thing you will need is a print of the “plot out” of each size from your digitized patterns, you can get this from the person or company that digitized your patterns. A “plot out” is just a print of your pattern but not a full marker. You’ll want to check your patterns before you go through with creating the marker because when doing this size check run,  you  may make pattern alterations.  The marker would then need to be done over. 

You’ll then bring your patterns, sew by samples, tech pack and all your supplies to the factory to have one of each size done. You can have your sample maker make the SCR but by having your factory do this step you are usually going to save money as they should charge you less then what you paid to have samples made AND you are checking the quality of your factory. 

The SCR also acts as your TOP. TOP stands for “top of production” and is a set of samples that is taken off the line during your first production run. For your first run it is always important to have your TOP also be your SCR. Once you are in your second and third seasons, using the same pattern blocks, the same grader doing one of every style, in every size isn’t going to be always necessary but always, I mean always, do a TOP. Which can be just one of the new styles so you can see what your garment will look like before it reaches your customers.

After your factory has completed your SCR you’ll want to fit them. You do not need to spend as much time in the fitting as you did with the original base size but you do want to see if you can find someone in the other sizes. It’s important to know it will be impossible to fit every single human on the planet so focus on your customer fit and what your competitors fit like. It is assumed if you fit your base size well that the other sizes will fit well too. But there could be a mistake made in the grading so it’s a good idea to just check the work. 

Again, when fitting your other sizes follow your size chart as close as possible when fitting the other sizes too. If alterations need to be made, keep them consistent on all the sizes. What you do to one, do to all. If the bust is too big and you want to bring it in an inch, do that to all sizes, not just one. This keeps your size grade cohesive and standard growth between the sizes. 

If all goes well then you are ready to move forward to the next steps! Great work! 

If you need help with creating, design, and manufacturing your line. V.Mora is here to help. 

Steps for the Product Development

• Sourcing 

• Technical sketches 

• Pattern Making

• Prototype making 

• Sample Making

• Fittings 

• Digitizing and Grading

• Marker Making

• Manufacturing

For product development services, please email vmorainquiry@vmora.com