Garment Sewists Needed! | Parametric Pattern Project
Revolutionize the Future of Clothing Fit: Join Our Research Project
Are you passionate about sewing and frustrated with standard clothing sizes that don't reflect real bodies? We invite experienced sewists to participate in a groundbreaking research project that aims to redefine apparel industry sizing standards using cutting-edge technology.
What's Involved?
As a participant, you'll be part of an innovative process that combines traditional sewing skills with modern technology:
Get a personalized 3D body scan using just your smartphone
Receive a custom-fitted button-up shirt pattern generated from your exact measurements
Sew your shirt using provided fabric and participate in a virtual fitting session
Contribute to research that could transform how clothing is sized and patterned
What You'll Receive
Your own personal, precision-fitted (parametric) button-up shirt pattern
High-quality fabric for constructing your shirt (you will provide your own buttons, interfacing, and thread)
Access to pioneering parametric pattern technology
The opportunity to influence the future of garment sizing
You get to keep your custom-fitted shirt
Connection to a global team of industry experts who are solving this problem together
Why This Matters
Current sizing standards don't reflect the diversity of human bodies, leading to poor fit and waste in the apparel industry. Your participation will help develop a more inclusive, accurate, and sustainable approach to clothing production.
Who We're Looking For
Experienced sewists comfortable with shirt construction
Access to a smartphone for body scanning
Interest in the intersection of technology and traditional crafts
Willingness to provide detailed feedback on the pattern and fitting process
Time Commitment
Initial body scan: 15 minutes
Pattern review and preparation: 30 minutes
Shirt construction: At your own pace
Virtual fitting session: 30 minutes
Final feedback: 15 minutes
Who Is Behind The Study?
Four organizations are working together on this project. Two of these organizations are trying to solve the challenge of better utilization of body measurement data in garment production, and part of getting there is working with all kinds of sewists to ensure that solutions are adoptable. Working with Chicago Sews and AIBI members, as well as other volunteers, we believe we can make very important strides in this direction. Outcomes will be presented in literature and at worldwide academic and industry events.
Join us in bridging the gap between traditional sewing and modern technology. Together, we can create a future where clothing fits everyone better.
Have questions? Contact Dana Todd, dana.todd@balodana.com.
The fine print:
This project adheres to academic standards for participant privacy and protection of personally identifiable information. Balodana (see Privacy Policy) is managing the technical aspects of privacy and housing the data, along with body scanning partner SizeStream (Privacy Policy).
There is no fee to participate, but you must provide your own thread and buttons. We will provide fabric and a printed copy of your personal pattern. We will also provide a digital version of it that you get to keep and modify as you like.
What we are looking for in feedback is for you to document the journey as best you can, with words, pictures, and videos. This is so we understand best how to communicate with sewists about how to work with parametric patterns, and where technical issues may arise in what we've produced.
Comments