Well my friends I am really thrilled to tell you all about how my pattern sizing is changing! We’ve been working on this for a very long time, and it’s been a mammoth effort behind the scenes, but i think you’ll agree its been SO worth it!
When I launched my brand back in 2010 my business consisted of just myself drafting and grading by hand, so I started with five manageable sizes: XS, S, M, L and XL. As time has gone on I’ve received many requests for extended sizing, and for myself as a designer I’ve really felt the limitations of not only 5 sizes, but of the numerical size labels themselves. I take your feedback really seriously, so for the last few years I have been working on extending my size range to cover more sizes. I’ve worked SO hard on this, and there have been many sleepless nights considering all the pros and cons of different sizing regimes (i am not joking) but I feel really happy with what we have come up with.
After a lot of research and gathered feedback I’ve found that most people are familiar with and comfortable with the American sizing system which begins at size 0, rather than brand specific naming, so this is what I have decided to adopt to an extent. Even though I am using familiar size labels, like any brand, I can’t guarantee that my size measurements will line up with other brands sizing or with your expectations. And as with any pattern’s sizing, please make sure you always choose your size based on your actual body measurements not your size expectations. At the end of the day, these are just labels to help distinguish cutting lines :) As a small side note: you may wonder why I haven’t chosen Australian sizing for my patterns, and that is simply because there is no standard Australian sizing! I know, it’s weird.
The feedback from our testers on the new sizing has been amazing so i’m really hoping you love the new sizes as much as we do!
My new sizing will consist of two ranges. My standard range will cover sizes 0-20 and includes 6 additional sizes plus the 5 original sizes. Two sizes larger, two sizes smaller, and two sizes in the middle. As you can see from this size chart, we’ve worked hard to make sure that our new sizes line up with the old sizes cleanly, so that you can feel confident that all Megan Nielsen patterns are consistent and accurate. For example if you have always cut a size M in my patterns this will correlate exactly to the new 12.
From now on all new patterns will be available in the 0-20 size range, however I won’t be updating all existing patterns with this new size range. You may see some existing patterns being released with extended sizing in coming months, but most existing patterns will remain available in XS-XL. Extending the size range for a pattern is akin to beginning from scratch with that design in development, timeline and cost, and it sadly isn’t possible for us to do this for all existing patterns.
The curve range will cover sizes 14-30. You’ve probably noticed that there is an overlap of four sizes with the standard range, and this is completely intentional. I am well aware that our bodies are all different and that we often span a range of sizes, so I wanted to be thoughtful and intentional about the intersection of these two size ranges. I didn’t want anyone to be in the situation where they found themselves stuck between two size ranges and needing to purchase both and blend. I am hoping this overlap of sizes will remove that worry for you. If you are a size 14 to 20 I leave it up to your discretion to decide which size range will work better for you.
Now that I’ve told you all about the new sizing, I’m really thrilled to share that the first two patterns with the new sizing will be the much loved Virginia leggings and Brumby skirt patterns! These patterns were both due for a reprint, so it was an ideal opportunity for us to regrade. This means that the Virginia leggings and Brumby skirt are now both available in printed form for sizes 0-20 and in digital PDF form for sizes 0-20, and Curve sizes 14-30!
I am really super excited about this and I hope you are too! If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment below or email us at hello@megannielsen.com !
This is super exciting! Does this mean that the Ash jeans will get a size update as well? Fantastic work on becomeing more inclusive ?
I’m so glad you like this change! The Ash jeans are on a separate jeans sizing system, not the XS-XL sizing so they won’t be getting a 0-20 size update as they cover the same size range with a different system :) I would like to release a curve version at some point, we will have to see how we go with our current in development patterns! xo
Another vote for the Ash (and River too)! I was so disappointed when they were released in the old size range. Us curvy ladies only have the Cashmerette Jeans right now (unless we are brave enough to try jeans with limited instructions, like style arc!).
Fantastic News! If we have already purchased a pattern that now includes extended sizes, will we need to repurchase or can we get an update?
I have this question too!
Hi Sunny, Send us a quick email at hello@megannielsen.com letting us know which pattern you have and we’ll sort something out regarding the extended size version!
Same question – would love to know!
Hi Christine, If you would like to send us a quick email at hello@megannielsen.com letting us know which pattern you have and we’ll sort something out regarding the extended size version of that pattern!
I’m definitely trying to find a good option for anyone who has previously purchased a XS-XL pattern that now has 0-20 sizing. Given the amount of development that has gone into adding sizes i can’t realistically provide complimentary updates to everyone (even though i would love to!) so I would really like to make the additional 0-20 sizes available at a nominal add on price to anyone who has previously purchased an XS-XL pattern. I’m just trying to figure out the logistics right now, and will let you know once we have it sorted!
Hi Claire, Send us a quick email at hello@megannielsen.com letting us know which pattern you have and we’ll sort something out regarding the extended size version!
This is fantastic. My measurements are very much in line with the added sizes, except my hip is 1″ larger. But that’s a super easy adjustment compared to adding size over all! I can’t wait to try the new sizes! Thank You!
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that!
When will they be available?
Hi KM, At the moment, we’ve released the Virginia and Brumby patterns in the extended sizes and will be releasing others in the coming months. Keep an eye out on Instagram and the blog for news!
As always you rock!! I never let the size range keep me from making your patterns. It will be a little less work now going forward. Fabulous!!
Thanks Jodi! I’m so thrilled, it’s so exciting!
This makes me really happy. I just signed up for your newsletter, because now I am a lot more interested! Thank you for including more of us. :)
Yay! I’m so glad you like this change Natasha – it makes me so happy to finally be able to share it!
This is great! Thanks for including more of us.
Any pointers to help decide between the 2 ranges if we are in the overlapping group? Thanks!
Please,please, please release the Sudley in extended sizing!!
At this stage I don’t have plans for extending Sudley, but if it becomes an option we will definitely let everyone know right away!
Thank you for being more size inclusive and especially for the overlapping size in the curve range. I am pear shape, so often blend between sizes and some other pattern companies don’t make a size range that works for my waist and hips. Your sleepless nights paid off because you got it right! I love the Brumby skirt (I’ve made it 6 times) and would love to upgrade my version to the curve one as well as looking forward to seeing new releases!
Kate yay! I’m so glad you like the size overlap, i’m actually really relieved because it’s hard to know whether you’re getting it right when you make these decisions. Send us an email at hello@megannielsen.com and we can help you out with a pattern upgrade. XO
Megan, This is a fantastic step in the right direction!
While I don’t fall into the extended sizing, I’m absolutely thrilled that your patterns are much more inclusive of various size ranges and you have very thoughtfully added overlapping sizes in both ranges. Way to go!
This is fantastic news! I would love to see the darling ranges dress available in the extended size options.
And the Kelly skirt!
Matilda dress too please
Ohmygosh!! I could seriously kiss your feet right now! Finally, finally I’ll be able to sew some of your gorgeous patterns to fit my plus frame!! Thank you!
I’m so excited too Marie, and i’m thrilled you like the new range! xo
Yay! Tania culottes please! I was just thinking today about how to ask about grading them up since they have been sitting in my WIP pile for months.
Don’t worry Rachel these are a few short weeks away!
I just purchased the Tania culottes. Since I am much larger than the bigger pattern I was/am expecting to do major alterations to get them to fit right.
I am willing to pay again to get my size.
Hi Lisa, send us an email at hello@megannielsen.com and we can help you out with a pattern upgrade when the new sizes come out :)
I am sure this was a difficult process! But you can see how excited people are! I personally am finally in your new sizing range and will be thrilled to see how this all progresses! I have been eyeing your patterns for a long time! Congratulations on a job well done! <3
YAY! I’m so happy to hear that, and really hope you enjoy sewing up my new patterns! xo
Thank you for extending your sizing range. I’m pleased that the curve range is drafted for a D cup. Are there differences in sizing below the waist as well — say a different crotch curve to allow for a curvier derriere? Another way of asking: is the Flint in a size 14 exactly the same as the Flint in the curve 14?
I’m wondering this as well!
Hi Pam! The Flint sizes 14-20 are exactly the same in the Curve version – we wanted to keep them the same to make it easier for those in the overlapping sizes. Sizes 14 and up are graded differently to sizes 0-12. I hope this helps!
Thanks for your clarification, Meg.
Omigosh, I can’t tell you just how excited I am to hear about your Curve sizing expansion! I am head over heels in love with your Matilda shirt dress … any chance you might have plans to offer this in Curve sizes?
I’d like to! We’ve had that one in internal testing for over a year, and we’re still trying to tweak the curve fit. We will definitely post about it when we get close :) xo
Thank you for the additional sizes but also for not assuming that since we are larger means we are proportioned differently! I can’t wait to get started with the new “curve” sizes!
Yay! I can’t wait to see what you make! xo
oh this is such terrific news! I’ve been eyeing off your patterns for so long but couldn’t quite bring myself to do the required grading. really, really excited to purchase and sew – thank you so much for taking the time to increase the size, I can assure you that it is truly appreciated!