Additional Survey Information
I had some questions come in regarding the survey whose answers I suspect will be of use to you before participating.
There isn't a specific larger organization behind the research--it is a project of my own supported by myself and my own small yarnwear design business. I have a background in both research and data analysis and I have an online connection with individuals who are currently employed in research and data analysis fields who have offered their expertise.
The results will be made publicly available both throughout the process and afterward. Dissemination of the results is the primary goal at this time. Secondary goals depend on the results we get, honestly.
If we're not able to get a meaningful sample size and consistent or significant results, then there won't be much to do with them after but to report what we found with some pretty big caveats about the limitations. Maybe we try again later with a more organized prelaunch approach of getting partners with varying audience sizes to commit.
If we are able to get a meaningful sample size and usable results with clear and consistent responses, we will then work on also developing recommendations and worksheets with the data in a format that designers can use for reference (for example, showing that we found a variance within CYC sizing standards of x" to y" for waist measurements in Z size, and if possible, additional breakdowns in variance based on self-reported body shape). This way, designers will have solid numbers to work with and be able to incorporate into their process usable modifications if they wish. The goal is to take conversations that are already happening and turn them into usable data--numbers with meaning so that designers can incorporate SOME modification within their patterns if they choose.
For example, let's take a basic drop shoulder tee pattern--two identical pieces seamed on the sides. If Person 1 is a size small with A or B cup breasts, that pattern with no modification is likely to fit and look good. If Person 2 is a size medium with D cups, the tee is likely to fit more awkwardly. If there is enough fabric to fit over the bust, there is too much at the back or if it fits around the back, there is an unintended hi-low effect because of the additional vertical inches the bust adds. And Person 3 has a larger belly circumference than chest circumference and Person 4 has a small chest and wide hips where the tee is supposed to hit and so on.
If we can provide numerical guidance, a designer can reference and know that Person 2 needs x" more on the front panel because their bust adds y" to their chest circumference, Person 3 needs more ease in the belly, and Person 4 needs hip shaping or even a split seam option. Now the shirt fits better on a wider range of bodies and a separate pattern isn't required, perhaps just a modification table added at the end of the pattern.
With the body measurements we receive, even though they may not be super accurate, we will still be able to get a sense of the kinds of variations in measurements that the different generalized body body shapes produce. How exactly that will look is as of yet unknown. It really depends on the quantity and quality of data we receive.
The nature of the open ended questions, while more challenging on the back end in data processing, will give us a good snapshot of places where there are consistent issues based on size or shape. Based on the limited data we've received so far, an early consistent result relates to armhole and bust sizing issues.
I can't currently say for sure if we get to the worksheet stage that it would be an open source product--it really depends on how many hours we end up spending on this project and whether I can either justifiably not compensate those helping or afford to personally compensate them from my own business pocket. In any case, the end goal would to make the information as freely available as possible. The results themselves will be freely disseminated, absolutely no cost to that ever in any way, but anything developed as a result may not be.
I think many people are AWARE of the issues, but there isn't any consistent numerical data anywhere to reference in order to know how or where to add in modifications. The CYC charts are a great and needed standardized starting point, but there isn't additional numerical information about variances or where and how much to modify.
The data I'm seeing so far is that generally crafters either pass up patterns they really want to make or they craft on a wing and a prayer without the knowledge of how to modify even if they wanted to. There are, of course, those who know how to modify to fit their bodies, but so far the data shows these as very much in the minority.
I hope that helps. The short answer is to take the current conversations and turn them into mathable numbers.
There isn't a specific larger organization behind the research--it is a project of my own supported by myself and my own small yarnwear design business. I have a background in both research and data analysis and I have an online connection with individuals who are currently employed in research and data analysis fields who have offered their expertise.
The results will be made publicly available both throughout the process and afterward. Dissemination of the results is the primary goal at this time. Secondary goals depend on the results we get, honestly.
If we're not able to get a meaningful sample size and consistent or significant results, then there won't be much to do with them after but to report what we found with some pretty big caveats about the limitations. Maybe we try again later with a more organized prelaunch approach of getting partners with varying audience sizes to commit.
If we are able to get a meaningful sample size and usable results with clear and consistent responses, we will then work on also developing recommendations and worksheets with the data in a format that designers can use for reference (for example, showing that we found a variance within CYC sizing standards of x" to y" for waist measurements in Z size, and if possible, additional breakdowns in variance based on self-reported body shape). This way, designers will have solid numbers to work with and be able to incorporate into their process usable modifications if they wish. The goal is to take conversations that are already happening and turn them into usable data--numbers with meaning so that designers can incorporate SOME modification within their patterns if they choose.
For example, let's take a basic drop shoulder tee pattern--two identical pieces seamed on the sides. If Person 1 is a size small with A or B cup breasts, that pattern with no modification is likely to fit and look good. If Person 2 is a size medium with D cups, the tee is likely to fit more awkwardly. If there is enough fabric to fit over the bust, there is too much at the back or if it fits around the back, there is an unintended hi-low effect because of the additional vertical inches the bust adds. And Person 3 has a larger belly circumference than chest circumference and Person 4 has a small chest and wide hips where the tee is supposed to hit and so on.
If we can provide numerical guidance, a designer can reference and know that Person 2 needs x" more on the front panel because their bust adds y" to their chest circumference, Person 3 needs more ease in the belly, and Person 4 needs hip shaping or even a split seam option. Now the shirt fits better on a wider range of bodies and a separate pattern isn't required, perhaps just a modification table added at the end of the pattern.
With the body measurements we receive, even though they may not be super accurate, we will still be able to get a sense of the kinds of variations in measurements that the different generalized body body shapes produce. How exactly that will look is as of yet unknown. It really depends on the quantity and quality of data we receive.
The nature of the open ended questions, while more challenging on the back end in data processing, will give us a good snapshot of places where there are consistent issues based on size or shape. Based on the limited data we've received so far, an early consistent result relates to armhole and bust sizing issues.
I can't currently say for sure if we get to the worksheet stage that it would be an open source product--it really depends on how many hours we end up spending on this project and whether I can either justifiably not compensate those helping or afford to personally compensate them from my own business pocket. In any case, the end goal would to make the information as freely available as possible. The results themselves will be freely disseminated, absolutely no cost to that ever in any way, but anything developed as a result may not be.
I think many people are AWARE of the issues, but there isn't any consistent numerical data anywhere to reference in order to know how or where to add in modifications. The CYC charts are a great and needed standardized starting point, but there isn't additional numerical information about variances or where and how much to modify.
The data I'm seeing so far is that generally crafters either pass up patterns they really want to make or they craft on a wing and a prayer without the knowledge of how to modify even if they wanted to. There are, of course, those who know how to modify to fit their bodies, but so far the data shows these as very much in the minority.
I hope that helps. The short answer is to take the current conversations and turn them into mathable numbers.