Fit & patternmaking

A sleeve draft that extends the sleeve pattern up to the neckline in a diagonal seam, combining part of the shoulder with the sleeve rather than using a separate armhole seam.

The distance from the waistband to the crotch seam of a garment or body, measured front and back, determining how high or low trousers sit on the body.

A dart manipulation technique in which a pattern section is rotated about a pivot point to close one dart while opening another, then the resulting cutting lines are redrawn smooth.

A pattern alteration that adds length and width across the upper back of a bodice pattern to accommodate increased curvature of the upper spine.

A posture with increased forward curvature of the upper spine, causing the back of a garment to pull tight and ride up, with drag lines below the neckline.