ICCON Technology™ Block Based Pattern Design is a very reliable and systematic method of pattern making. It gives technicians the freedom to develop new and exciting garment shapes without being dependent on a library of patterns to copy from, or needing to spend a long time on development of original patterns. Technicians are thus able to concentrate on mastering the look and silhouette of the garment while working from an accurate and reliable base that already delivers the required fit.

Why not use existing patterns from a pattern library?

Existing or library patterns can be used when they are close in style to the new pattern and when both old and new patterns are based on the exact body type. Otherwise, adaptation of an old style to the requirements of a new style can actually be more time consuming and produce a poorer fitting garment than when the pattern is developed directly from a well fitting block.

This is because an existing pattern usually contains some adjustments for the fabric or interfacing performance (shrinking, stretch) and numerous alterations. If this pattern is used for different fabric and styling features, a pattern maker has to apply a lengthy process of reversing the previous adjustments and applying the new ones.

A block based system such as ICCON Technology™ provides pattern makers with a greater degree of control, changing pattern development from a trial and error process to a systematic pattern engineering process.

Figure 5 illustrates how ICCON Technology™ was applied through the various stages of design to fully finished garment, using a CAD PDS system. The pattern fitted the body first time, because the block base for this pattern fitted well.