For most of us, there’s usually a few occasions where we know a style just won’t sit quite right and needs to be taken up or down a size or two – but not to worry! We’ve collated an easy and informative guide to grading to help you resize a pattern with ease.
1 Most commercial patterns are not equivalent to the sizes we get off the peg, so the first step to grading is to take accurate body measurements. Start with your hips, bust and waist, then compare these measurements to those on the back of the envelope.
2 The actual finished measurements of the garment, including the amount of ease, is usually written on the pattern pieces, so use this to check the final fit. If you still find that you need to alter it, then it’s time to grade the pattern pieces.
3 Once you’ve accurately measured your body, select th