Comparing Fit of Basic Bodices and Skirts Altered by Traditional and Experimental Techniques

Abstract

The goal of this research was to compare the fit of two sets of attached basic bodices and skirts. One set was altered by a traditional method that used body lengths and circumferences and the other set by an experimental method that added to the length and circumference measurements information about body angles. These angle measurements were obtained from computer-drawn plots of the body profiles and were used to alter dart size and length and slope of the shoulder seam. Three judges evaluated the sets of muslins on a 47-item rating scale developed by the researchers. Statistical analysis of the results was by analysis of variance and examination of the means for each item. Of the 16 significant treatment main effects, 10 favored the traditional method and 6 favored the experimental method. Models with deep body contours, represented by angles, more often received satisfactory fit by the traditional method; models with shallow body angles benefited from the use of the experimental method, according to the 2 0 significant subject by treatment interactions.