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Pattern Making Agreement

For pattern makers and clients developing garment patterns for sampling or production.

Drafted by a Harvard Law attorney.

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About this contract

This agreement is for pattern makers and clients developing garment patterns for sampling or production. Pattern development is separate from sewing samples or manufacturing garments.

Key points covered in this contract

  • Pattern requirements: approved design, measurements, base size, fitting rounds, grading, and pattern format.
  • Fee and schedule: the fee, payment dates, and when the work will be completed.
  • Delivery and extra work: what is handed over, and which changes count as extra work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are source files, and are they included with the finished work?
Source files are the editable files used to create a finished result. They can make later changes easier, but may require particular software or licensed assets. A service fee may cover only the finished output; source-file delivery and permission to reuse its contents are separate questions.
When do revision requests become extra paid work?
A request can become extra work when it adds something beyond the original brief or exceeds the included revision rounds. A new concept, extra recording session, or additional format is different from a small adjustment. Correcting work that did not meet the agreed requirements may be treated separately from paid revisions.
Does commissioning garment design or sample work also order a production run?
Not automatically. Design, pattern, sample, and alteration services are different from ordering finished goods in quantity. A Manufacturing Agreement can document a separate production order, including quantities, price, quality standards, and delivery terms.
What is pattern grading?
Pattern grading turns a base-size pattern into other sizes using a set of measurement changes. It is separate from designing the original pattern and from checking the fit on a sample. A pattern-making agreement should state whether grading and the required size range are included.