# Sloper Basics Overview

This discussion covers how to work with your body measurements to build the sloper you see on screen. You will learn how to enter your measurements into the Sloper dialog for either a Simple-Fit or Refined-Fit sloper and you will learn how and when to move back and forth between the two modes. Lastly, you will learn how to test a garment style to see if your measurements are accurate and if you like the fit of a basic garment.

## What is a Sloper?

In the apparel industry, a Sloper is a basic pattern that has a minimum of ease. It is used to create all further patterns. Often called a block or a base, it serves as the starting point for all patterns. In Garment Designer, our sloper serves a similar yet slightly different purpose. The sloper you build and see on screen presents a visual flat representation of your body. You can quickly and easily see the basic widths and lengths of the body and get a sense of its general shape. This follows a Japanese approach to design that has been used for many years.

However, because the sloper does not have body darts built into it (and yes, this will come in a future version of Garment Designer), you cannot get a 3-dimensional view of the body. So, understand that the purpose of the sloper in Garment Designer is to allow you to see your body lengths, widths, and proportions. In addition, you can see the position of the bust apex which is helpful when darts are in use. You can view flat patterns on the flat sloper and get a good sense of ease allowances, pattern positioning and general fit.