Replies

1. 
   Susan_Whelan | May 23, 1999 04:02am | #1

   *
   Jo, a sloper is a basic pattern with only minimal wearing ease, that is used to create designs. It usually consists of a basic bodice, skirt and long sleeve, fitted closely to the body. The ease is about two and a half to three inches in the bust, one inch in the waist and two inches in the hips. All the pattern companies make one, usually called a fitting pattern. This is the basic sloper or "block" from which all of their patterns are derived. The theory is that if you fit the basic sloper to your body, you will then know how you differ from the company's standard and will make the same adjustments to any of their patterns to get a good fit. Personally, I like McCall's fitting pattern, used in conjunction with "Fit for Real People" by Pati Palmer and Marta Alto, published by Palmer/Pletsch. The pattern shows you how to fit, and the book guides you through fitting a sloper and then transferring the changes to a fashion pattern. Sue W.