What is Pattern Grading? A Beginners Guide

Grading is the process of creating different sizes from a single base pattern or block.

Disclaimer: This article was originally published as a paid post for The Thread. The views and opinions expressed are entirely my own and based on my personal experiences.

Photo by Annie Spratt for Unsplash

Grading is the process of creating different sizes from a single base pattern or block. It doesn't alter the design itself but instead scales the base pattern up or down to accommodate a range of body sizes, such as going from a size XXS to a size 4XL. This allows a single design to fit various sizes while maintaining the intended proportions, fit, and style.

It's worth noting that there is a difference between grading and fitting. Grading involves generating entirely new sizes. In contrast, fitting is the process of adjusting specific areas of a garment to better suit an individual's body shape, such as narrowing the waist or enlarging the width of the hips.

Basic Concepts in Grading

Grade Rules

Grade rules are the specific measurements and instructions used to scale the base pattern up or down to create additional sizes. These rules specify the amount and direction of these increases or decreases at key points on the pattern. 

Grade rules can vary depending on a few factors, including:

• Body growth patterns: Different parts of the body grow at different rates, so grade rules are not applied uniformly across the entire pattern.

• Garment style: Fitted garments will follow different grading rules to looser or more oversized styles.

• Brand standards: Each company or brand may use its own set of grading guidelines.

• Sizing systems: International sizing can be different (e.g. EU vs. US) and this will impact how patterns are graded.

Diagram 1 below is an example of a Grade Plan—an overview (like a roadmap) of how a pattern is graded across sizes, based on these grade rules. It identifies how much to add or subtract  and which in which direction at key points for each size. The measurements in this example are in millimetres.

Multi-size patterns

Multi-size or nested patterns, are just as they sound. These patterns include multiple sizes, typically identified by varying line weights, styles (such as dashed or solid lines), or colour-coding, making it easy to identify each size on the same pattern (see Diagram 2 below for a simple example). Multi-size patterns allow the maker to not only choose and cut the size they need, but to blend between sizes where necessary (e.g. a size 10 bust with a size 12 hip).

For more on blending between sizes, see my earlier article, Checking, Blending, and Truing Your Sewing Patterns – Part 2.

Proportional vs. custom grading:

• Proportional grading involves making uniform adjustments across the pattern (e.g., 4cm growth between each size).

• Custom grading is more tailored to specific body measurements and styles and may not follow consistent intervals.

Methods of Grading

Note: In the diagrams below, I demonstrate how to manually grade based on hypothetical grade plans. The diagrams are not to scale. A full demonstration is a bit beyond the scope of this article, which is intended to simply introduce the concept of grading.

Manual Grading:

I was first introduced to manual grading at university around 17 years ago, where I learned the process entirely by hand. Manual grading, while more time consuming and less precise, is definitely a valuable skill to have for understanding how patterns are scaled across different sizes.

There are two common methods of manual grading.

Method 1: Shift (or slide)

The shift method, also known as the slide method, involves moving the block or pattern piece in specific directions—up, down, inward, or outward—by the measured increments, specified by the grade rules. 

How it works:

1. Trace the base block or pattern.

2. Mark the measured increments and direction on the pattern derived from the grade plan on the pattern (refer to the blue and green lines).

   
   

1. Move (or shift) the entire pattern accordingly, ensuring the correct grain is maintained, and trace each section.

2. Redraw the entire pattern in its new position to create a larger or smaller size, and blend as needed.

   
   

This method is relatively quick and effective (once you get the hang of it). It’s also a helpful way to understand the fundamental principles of grading. However, despite its simplicity, the technique can be prone to small errors caused by simply factors like pen thickness, or slight misalignments during shifting. Because of this, it's less ideal for complex or irregular shapes, or situations where a high level of accuracy is needed.

Method 2: Cut and spread (or slash and spread)

The cut and spread, or slash and spread method is a patternmaking technique commonly used to add fullness to specific areas of a pattern (such as for gathering). The same principles can also be applied to grade a pattern.

How it works:

1. Trace the base block or pattern.

2. Mark the measured increments and direction on the pattern derived from the grade plan on the pattern (refer to the blue and green lines).

3. Mark corresponding cut and spread lines (refer to red dashed lines).

4. Cut along cut and spread lines.

1. Spread the sections apart to increase the size, or overlap them to reduce it.

2. Redraw the pattern in its new position to create the larger or smaller size. 

This method can be a little more time-consuming, and like the shift method, can be prone to minor errors. 

Photo by Annie Spratt for Unsplash

Digital Grading:

I was introduced to digital (or computerised) grading after winning a scholarship at university that gave me access to Gerber, a specialised grading program.

It was fascinating but also a little overwhelming. As an advanced, industry focused program this scholarship was only able to offer a surface-level experience, and unfortunately, with limited access to the program I kind of just lost the skill.

Fast forward to recent years, and I’ve learnt a far more accessible way to grade patterns digitally and at home using Adobe Illustrator. 

While Illustrator isn’t a dedicated grading software like Gerber, it is great for small-scale designers and home sewists like myself. What once took hours of manual measuring, shifting, and redrawing can now be done in a fraction of the time, with far greater accuracy and consistency. 

Learning pattern making using Illustrator really has been a game changer. That said, I'm really glad I learned manual grading first. It gave me a good understanding of how grading works, which makes the digital process a bit more intuitive.

How does digital grading work in Illustrator (an introduction):

In Illustrator, grading involves scaling a base pattern into additional sizes by manually moving anchor points based on the grade rules. Each new size is usually placed on its own layer and can be colour-coded and labelled to keep everything organised and easy to reference.

Although it does feel a little overwhelming at first, especially if you're new to the program, Illustrator offers a fast, accurate, and repeatable method for grading. You just got to get  past the initial manual setup and becoming familiar with how it works.

Grading is the process of taking a single pattern and resizing it to fit a range of body sizes while maintaining the style, fit, and proportions of the original design across multiple sizes. Once you understand the basics, grading becomes an invaluable skill. It is also a step toward making clothing more inclusive, flexible, and accessible!