Comments on: How to hire a pattern grading service

By: Santosh

Santosh — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 06:52:04 +0000

We offer pattern grading services at very reasonable prices. We charge depending on the number of sizes graded ( maximum $ 60 ) per style.

With this you get either a soft copy of your style in a printable format, which can be opened on any CAD system and printed at a services bureau or we courier the patterns after printing ( either on white paper of cutout oak tag ).

We work with a large number of retailers from USA and have been able to get repeat business from them and they have also recommended us to new clients.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:55:16 +0000

If they don’t give you your files then why would you hire them? Or maybe I misunderstand the question…

By: oscar

oscar — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:43:37 +0000

Kathleen,

Thank you for such a great post. I have finally reach a prototype and now ready to send it out for grading services. If I do hire a grader, can I asked the files to be sent over to me or do they keep it exclusively?

By: Kathleen Fasanella

Kathleen Fasanella — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 21:50:55 +0000

Hi I was wondering about what you need to supply when getting a pattern graded. Can you send a hand drawn pattern and have it drawn up and graded? Or does it need to be cad.

It doesn’t have to be CAD. You will need to supply specs tho.

Was also wondering if you can usually get the pattern grader give you a file that is ready for printing and reselling. (a nested pattern in a digital file.)

These entries might be useful:
http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/starting_a_home_sewing_pattern_company/
http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/starting_a_home_sewing_pattern_company_pt2/

Your typical grader won’t be able to format the pattern for printing at McCalls etc, that’s a special order and requires different skills as well as software. However, there is no reason you couldn’t clean up the CAD plot in Illustrator.

There are also many entries on the subject in the forum, most recently this one about formatting patterns for the home sewing market:
http://fashion-incubator.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=46870#46870

By: Siv

Siv — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 19:52:10 +0000

Hi I was wondering about what you need to supply when getting a pattern graded. Can you send a hand drawn pattern and have it drawn up and graded? Or does it need to be cad.
Was also wondering if you can usually get the pattern grader give you a file that is ready for printing and reselling. (a nested pattern in a digital file.)
I am in the proses of starting a small business where I will be designing pattern for home sewers and need help getting some professional patterns drawn up.

By: Making ePatterns Part One: Pattern Drafting & Grading « Sew,Mama,Sew! Blog

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 07:03:08 +0000

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Drafting to measure pattern book recommendations — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:39 +0000

[...] I’m guessing they’re looking in the wrong place. There are enterprising individuals who target DIY producers and charge a premium because the customer doesn’t know where to look. Perhaps those grading services are their [...]

By: How to hire a pattern maker pt. 48

How to hire a pattern maker pt. 48 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:58:23 +0000

[...] don’t make things that complex just starting out. I have seen some ludicrous charges before, the worst from a service charging $960 to grade a six piece pattern in five sizes. 3. After looking at the [...]

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By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 19:44:25 +0000

Thank you so much for this article! I own a vintage pattern business and want to offer multi-sized patterns. I contacted a company earlier this year about grading a 13 piece vintage pattern into 4 sizes, and was quoted $1,400. I’m sure you can guess which company it was. My jaw hit the floor, because I have read The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing expected the cost to be much, much lower. I’m glad to find out that it should be, and I will contact some of the companies you mentioned for additional quotes.

This information is really going to move my business forward. Thank you!