When I receive measurement specifications for a design from my clients, I face a choice:
- Follow all the requested specs exactly as provided.
- Ignore the specs and make the pattern according to the measurements that, in my professional opinion, would fit best.
Neither choice ends well.
If I choose the first option and follow the requested specs without question, I do a disservice to my clients. If the specs are off or there is a typo in the spec sheet and I don’t correct it, the project gets delayed and potentially a sample is wasted.
However, choosing the second option is also a disservice to my clients. It is your design and it is not my place to tell you what you want. You know your customer and goals best. It is my responsibility to bring your design to life exactly how you envision it.
Because of this, I like to choose a third way.
I listen and ask questions to understand what your true vision and purpose is for the design. Then I review the provided specs with attention to detail. If any specs seem misaligned with your vision for the design, I bring them to your attention and we discuss different options together.
This way, I honor your vision for the design, but also bring my professional experience to the patternmaking so that we can accomplish the design in as few samples and revisions as possible.