diff --git a/markdown/org/blog/breanna-measurements-sizes-in-2-2/en.md b/markdown/org/blog/breanna-measurements-sizes-in-2-2/en.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000000..7a65e58f30f --- /dev/null +++ b/markdown/org/blog/breanna-measurements-sizes-in-2-2/en.md @@ -0,0 +1,151 @@ +--- +author: "joostdecock" +caption: "This post describes what's new in version 2.2 of FreeSewing" +date: "2020-02-22" +image: "https://cdn.sanity.io/images/hl5bw8cj/site-content/356c127b8b37937b9537790d71a949c236027513-1920x1280.jpg" +intro: "A look at what's new in FreeSewing 2.2, including Breanna, our bodice block for womenswear" +title: "A look at what's new in FreeSewing 2.2, including Breanna, our bodice block for womenswear" +--- + +Version 2.2 of FreeSewing is here, and it has a bunch of changes and improvements big and small. +The [changelog](https://github.com/freesewing/freesewing/blob/develop/CHANGELOG.md) lists all the changes, but here's what you need to know: + + - [New pattern: Breanna is a bodice block for womenswear](#new-pattern-breanna-is-a-bodice-block-for-womenswear) + - [New/Different measurements to better suit womenswear](#newdifferent-measurements-to-better-suit-womenswear) + - [Generate patterns in *standard* sizes (no account required)](#generate-patterns-in-standard-sizes-no-account-required) + +Let's have a look at what it all means: + +## New pattern: Breanna is a bodice block for womenswear + + + +Meet [Breanna](/designs/breanna/), our bodice block for womenswear. + +A block (or sloper) may not the most exciting pattern to look at, but it plays an important +role as it is the basic form which other patterns are built on. + +For example, we have a similar block for menswear called [Brian](/designs/brian/) and our +[Aaron](/designs/aaron/), +[Bent](/designs/bent/), +[Carlita](/designs/carlita/), +[Carlton](/designs/carlton/), +[Huey](/designs/huey/), +[Hugo](/designs/hugo/), +[Jaeger](/designs/jaeger/), +[Simon](/designs/simon/), +[Simone](/designs/simone/), +[Sven](/designs/sven/), +and [Wahid](/designs/wahid/) patterns can all can trace their lineage back to Brain somehow. + +In other words, Breanna is an important building block for us to extend our womenswear collection. +But that does not mean it is not good news for you too. If you have been sewing for +a while, chances are drafting your own block/sloper has perpetually been on your +to-do list. Well, good news, because here is your block ready to go. + +Oh, and of course it has all the bells and whistles you can expect from us. +Have a look at [the pattern options](/docs/patterns/breanna/options/) and +I think you'll be positively impressed. If nothing else, this block can accommodate 1 or 2 bust +darts in 15 different places, giving you 120 unique ways to place your bust dart(s). + +Breanna has has been a while in the making, and we'd love to get your feedback on it. +Making a muslin from a block like this really isn't much work. +So if you've got some time to spare to whip this one up and let us know how it went, +that would be great. + + +## New/Different measurements to better suit womenswear + +Now that we're making our jouney into womenswear, we realized that the measurements we +use on the site are somewhat skewed towards menswear. In addition, we had a lot of people +stuggling with the shoulder slope measurement. So we decided to re-visit our measuremets, +and we've made the following changes: + +### We have a bunch of new *HPS* measurements + +We've settled on the High-Point Shoulder, the so-called HPS point, as the basis for many +of the vertical torso measurements. If you're not certain what/where the HPS point is, +[check the HPS documentation](/docs/measurements/hps/). + +### We discontinued the Center Back To Neck measurement + +As we mentioned earlier, we use measurements from the HPS point now for vertical torso +measurements. As a result, we've discontinued the old *Center back neck to waist* measurement. + +Given that this measurement is now gone, you may need to add another measurement for certain patterns. + +### We changed the way the shoulder slope is measured + +We noticed that people struggles with the way we asked them to measure [the +shoulder slope measurement](/docs/measurements/shoulderslope) so we have changed how to do that. + +Because the new method yields a very different number (that ultimately captures the same +thing, how much your shoulder slopes downward) here too we had to go in and reset all +the existing data. In other words, you'll have to re-measure your shoulder slope. + +## Generate patterns in *standard* sizes (no account required + +To get great patterns, you need good measurements, and a bunch of them. +It's what we do here at FreeSewing, and most of the problems with patterns are because +something goes wrong with taking measurements. + +Unfortunately, there is no magic shortcut for this. If you want something made-to-measure, +it's always going to start with acurate measurements. + +This does raise the bar for people who are new to the site, and want to kick the tires. + +> *Oooh, free patterns, nice* 😍 +> *Wait, I have to create an account first?* 🤔 +> *And take all these measurements?* 😬 +> *That seems like a lot of work.* + +Fair enough. + +In addition, our regular visitors also asked us whether they could get to see a pattern and +play around with it without first having to put in a bunch of measurements. + +So __*drumroll*__ that is no longer required. We now offer all our patterns in *standard sizes*. +Not only do you not have to take measurements to try out the patterns, you don't even have to sign up +or log in. No account needed, just pick a pattern, a size, and you're good to go. + +Obvously, made-to-measure patterns is *our thing*, and we're not changing that. But we're hoping +that by lowering the bar to try out our platform, more people will give FreeSewing a try. + +### What are standard sizes anyway? + +The hardest thing about adding support for standard sizes? Figuring out what the heck standard sizes +are supposed to be. We took a stab at it, and if you're curious you can [check out +our sizing table here](/docs/various/sizes/). + +For menswear, our size range is 32 to 50, and they are based on a size 38 baseline that we then graded +up and down. +For womenswear, our size range is 28 to 48, and they are based on a size 34 baseline that we then graded +up and down. + + + +If you're not sure what these numbers are, they are the neck circumference in cm. + + + +While we tried to make our size ranges inclusive, and these tables are an honest attempt to come up with +something that makes sense, please understand that this is not our core business. +We've love to hear your feedback on the sizing tables, and are open to tweaks and suggestions, but at +the end of the day, what we want is to give you a pattern drafted to your measurements. +These sizes are just a way to lure you in 🤫 + + +## Also: All the other stuff + +Now go and click around, for we've changed a bunch of other stuff too. + +If you bump into any problems or have questions, as always [our chat room is the place to get +in touch](https://discord.freesewing.org/). + +And if you happen to like what we do here, perhaps now is a good time to tell your friends about +FreeSewing. After all, they can now check it out without needing to sign up. + +PS: We have [a handy share page](/share/) you can use for this. + + +