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+---
+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
+
+<Linedrawing pattern="breanna" />
+
+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.
+
+<Note>
+
+If you're not sure what these numbers are, they are the neck circumference in cm.
+
+</Note>
+
+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.
+
+
+