Parent-Child Blocks
Often, time pressures encourage shortcuts and the adapting of child patterns in ways that distort the original fit DNA. For example, a fabric dye lot can change material properties. Since material choice is also a fit-intent parameter, a material change necessitates a new parent block. If the decision is made to change the child block instead of the parent, the fit-intent data set is being changed without tracking from Intelligent Shaping™. Altering the fit DNA of a child block essentially introduces fit error, making fit assessment heuristic rather than engineered.
The premise behind parent-child pattern blocks is that a ‘fit’ established in the parent block can be iterated to create child patterns. Technically, the parent block can be iterated infinitely. Product sampling is costly for brands, so capitalizing on a sampled and proven fit is prudent. Parent-child block development is an established apparel practice well-suited to digital environments.
However, using the parent-child relationship without linear logic challenges digital environments.
Established parent-child pattern practice is well suited to logical, linear workflows
and fit-engineered apparel product development.