Garment Ease
Definition
The extra room in a garment beyond your body measurements. Simply put, it's how loose or tight a garment fits on your body.
Key Information
- Two main types: wearing ease and design ease
- Wearing ease provides room for basic movement
- Design ease creates the intended style (fitted, relaxed, oversized)
- Knit garments typically need less ease than woven ones
- Amount varies by garment type and fabric stretch
- Essential for achieving proper fit
- Can be positive (larger than body) or negative (smaller than body)
Usage and Application
While most everyday garments have some amount of ease for comfort, certain types of clothing fit differently by design. For example, a cozy sweatshirt has lots of ease for a relaxed fit, while swimwear often uses negative ease (meaning it's smaller than your body measurements) to stay in place while swimming. In our patterns, we keep things simple by providing clear size charts that already account for the right amount of ease - you'll mostly encounter the term "negative ease" in our swimwear patterns where a snug fit is important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know how much ease I need for my fabric?
A: Look at your fabric's stretch percentage. Knit fabrics with more stretch need less ease, while stable knits need more. Test your fabric's stretch and recovery to determine the right amount of ease needed.
Q: What's an easy way to understand how much ease I prefer?
A: Look at your favorite ready-to-wear garments that fit well. Measure the garment and compare it to your body measurements - this difference is your preferred ease. Use these measurements as a guide when sewing similar styles.
Q: Why does my garment feel too tight when I followed the size chart?
A: Check the ease allowance in the finished measurements. If it feels tight, you may need more ease for comfort. Consider sizing up, especially if your fabric has less stretch than recommended or if you prefer a looser fit.
Q: Why does my garment look baggier than the pattern photos?
A: This usually means you have too much ease for your fabric type. If you're using a very stretchy fabric, consider sizing down. Also check that your fabric has similar stretch properties to what the pattern recommends.
Q: How do I choose between sizes when my measurements put me in different size ranges?
A: Use the size charts along with the finished measurements to make your decision. Consider where you need the best fit (such as chest for tops, hips for bottoms) and choose based on your preferences for how fitted you like your clothes.
Related Terms
Negative Ease
Often used in fitted knit garments
Size Chart
Shows body measurements for choosing size
Pattern Grading
How ease is incorporated across sizes