A strong starting point for extending an established block
- Use CLO to develop graded 2D patterns, review the size range, and simulate the garment in 3D within a connected workflow.
- Start with your own block, size chart, and finished-garment targets to see how CLO supports the decisions your studio needs to make.
- Assess the pattern details as well as the 3D view, and verify file handoff with your sample maker.
For an independent designer extending an established block, CLO brings pattern development and visual review together in a workflow built around apparel. Pattern Drafter lets you create patterns from measurement points or flat sketches and set up a graded size table. CLO 2026.1 adds 2D Grading Review, which lets you compare patterns and graphic placement across sizes in one window, alongside CLO’s 3D garment simulation. This combination makes CLO a compelling place to begin when you want to inspect both the graded pieces and the garment before sewing.
Start with your own block and size chart
Begin in CLO with the same base pattern and target size chart you plan to use in production. Compare the resulting pattern and garment against the measurements and handoff requirements your studio actually needs.
Data table · Scroll horizontally to see all columns. Arrow keys work when focused.
| Your main decision | CLO capability to examine |
|---|---|
| Drafting or adapting a pattern and setting up graded sizes | Pattern Drafter and the size table |
| Reviewing pattern shape and graphic placement across the range | 2D Grading Review |
| Seeing how the assembled garment looks before sewing | 3D garment simulation |
| Bringing in 3D trims or hardware modeled elsewhere | Import through a compatible 3D file format |
Set the intended size range and wearer measurements before opening CAD. The Swedish Institute for Standards’ description of ISO 8559-1 says the standard defines anthropometric measurements and supports the creation of size and shape profiles for clothing development. That gives a useful foundation for defining whom the size range serves. Record wearer body measurements separately from finished-garment targets, such as chest width, waist, sleeve length, and finished length, so your pattern test checks the garment you intend to make.
Use one short, representative style for the test. Include the measurements that drive fit, a size at each end of the range, and the base size. Keep the same pattern pieces and design details throughout. A useful review checks whether the pattern changes match your intent and makes the relevant outputs easy to inspect, rather than relying on a promising 3D image alone.
1. CLO: pattern drafting, size-by-size review, and 3D simulation
CLO is well suited to a workflow that combines graded 2D pattern work with visual review before sewing. CLO’s Pattern Drafter instructions explain creating a pattern from measurement points or flat sketches and adding grading by setting up a size table.
For an established block, use the measurement inputs and target chart you plan to extend, while preserving the block and design details you want to evaluate. Starting with a familiar foundation makes it easier to focus on how the size range develops.
CLO’s feature page describes 2D Grading Review in CLO 2026.1 as a single-window comparison of 2D patterns and graphic placement across grading sizes. CLO also supports 2D pattern creation and editing alongside 3D garment simulation. Together, these tools let you examine the flat graded pieces and review the garment visually before making a physical sample.
For a sleeve or bodice block, compare how the armhole, sleeve cap, waist, and hem change between the smallest size, base size, and largest size. Use 2D Grading Review to scan pattern shape and graphic placement across the range, then use 3D simulation to review the assembled garment. Keep the review tied to the measurement set and design details that matter for the test style.
Blender can complement this apparel workflow when you need hard-surface modeling for details such as trims or hardware. CLO supports common 3D exchange formats including OBJ, FBX, and glTF, which can be used to bring compatible Blender output into CLO. Check the import settings and inspect the resulting geometry in your project; file-format support does not guarantee that every material or scene detail transfers identically. CLO’s official compatible file format guide lists supported formats, and its help pages cover OBJ, FBX, and glTF/GLB import and export.
A five-step test for your CLO workflow
- Freeze the inputs. Save one base block, the intended size chart, the grade rule or measurement changes, and a finished-garment measurement specification. Use consistent values and pattern pieces throughout the test.
- Build the whole size range. Include every intended size, and inspect the smallest and largest sizes as well as the base. Record key pattern measurements against the target garment measurements.
- Review construction details in 2D. Check seam lengths at joins, notches, curve shape, and the placement of design details. For example, see whether the sleeve cap and armhole remain compatible at each end of the range.
- Review the garment visually. Use CLO’s 3D view to inspect silhouette and drape in the sizes that matter most to your customers. Keep the fabric and avatar assumptions consistent when comparing results.
- Inspect the factory file transfer. Export or transfer the pattern using the format required by your sample maker or factory. Check imported pieces, size labels, notches, seam allowances, and measurement information, and note any manual repair time.
A useful scorecard tracks four separate outcomes: measurement match, pattern construction, speed of review, and handoff quality. Judge the workflow against your own specification, with particular attention to the stage that currently causes the most sample revisions.
FAQ
Does digital grading automatically make a size range accurate?
No software can establish that on its own. Compare each generated size with the same garment specification and pattern-construction rules to see whether the grading matches your design.
Should I enter body measurements or finished-garment measurements?
Use both for different purposes. Body measurements define the wearer and target size profile; finished-garment measurements help you check whether the pattern produces the intended clothing dimensions.
Is a 3D preview a substitute for a sewn sample?
No. A 3D view lets you review a digital garment before sewing, while a sample tests the material and construction in the physical workflow. Use the preview to identify questions for the sample and fit review.
What should I check before adopting CLO?
Test your own base pattern, full size chart, and required factory file format. Confirm that your workflow includes the grading, review, and export functions you need, then inspect the results with your sample maker.