Post
by Tulpje » Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:08 am
*smile*
Interesting article maybe for slopers.
Slopers 101: "What is a sloper?"
A sloper is the most basic of patterns, used by apparel manufacturers to style a garment. Have you ever wondered why some clothes fit better than others do? "But," you ask, "Should you not be able to expect clothes purchased in the same department from the same store to fit as well as the others?" "Why doesn't my friend feel as comfortable as I do while wearing the exact same thing that we both bought from the same store at the same time?"
Consider jeans for example. You might have a distinct preference for EhBCs and your best friend may wear only XYZees - ALL the time. This can be due to any of many reasons, one of which is the original sloper used by this particular manufacturer. It is quite likely that the slopers used by your favourite garment or pattern manufacturer are more suitable for your figure type than for your friend's.
Sometimes you really "luck out" and get a fabulous fit from an end-of-season sale on a "no-name" label for a fabulous price. This probably happens as often as you win at Bingo, and it's probably just as memorable too. And why did the no-name pair remain nameless? How can a designer put her or his name on the label, call it exclusive and charge "a king's ransom" when there are so many and they all look alike?
Marketing accounts for a big portion of the price and sometimes, creating an exciting or desirable aura around a brand or designer name. That is why you forget the brand of "no name" jeans, even though they DID actually have a brand name. They didn't have a name you'd often heard or seen. Marketing people are paid to make you remember, and they're good at it. They have to be paid too.
There are a variety of other variables in the production of the garment that influence the price as well. Just remember that the fit is related more to the cut of the sloper than the name of the store where you purchase them or the name on the label.
Now mind you remember:
"If it's worth sewing, it's worth sewing well;
and, if it's worth sewing well, it's worth FITTING FIRST!"
Til next time,
TheSloperLady