# Stitch Authority resource comparison

Generated: 2026-07-28T09:59:21.883Z
Comparison: <https://stitchauthority.com/directory/compare?ids=foursource%2Ccommon-objective%2Cnmsu-pattern-alteration%2Cgrading-guide>

This file preserves the published decision metadata for the selected routes. It is not a recommendation, provider approval, compliance decision, or record of project-specific due diligence.

## 1. FOURSOURCE Supplier Network

Permanent record: <https://stitchauthority.com/directory/foursource>
Source page: <https://www.foursource.com/explore-network/>

- Primary job: Source production
- Area: Production
- For: Apparel brands
- Location or jurisdiction: Global
- Access: Free account
- Format: Marketplace
- Source type: Commercial marketplace
- Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-21
- Next review due: 2027-01-17

### Best for

Searching global apparel and textile production capabilities

### What the source establishes

FOURSOURCE's current public network page presents an operator-reported global company count and country or territory search. It says logged-in users can narrow results by compliance certificates, product groups, fabric types, target groups, minimum order quantities, and other fields, with a free-trial and supplier sign-up route.

### Know before using

The company count is a changing platform claim. Search fields, profiles, certificates, locations, and account access do not independently verify the legal entity, factory ownership, capability, capacity, certificate validity or scope, compliance performance, delivery, or project fit. Confirm the site and subcontracting, credentials with issuers, samples, audits when appropriate, specifications, contracts, and commercial terms.

## 2. Common Objective

Permanent record: <https://stitchauthority.com/directory/common-objective>
Source page: <https://www.commonobjective.co/>

- Primary job: Source production
- Area: Production
- For: Apparel brands
- Location or jurisdiction: Global
- Access: Free + paid
- Format: Marketplace
- Source type: Commercial marketplace
- Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-28
- Next review due: 2027-01-24

### Best for

Finding sustainability-focused suppliers and guidance

### What the source establishes

Common Objective currently offers free individual and business profiles, personalised matches, supplier and content search, and limited monthly connection requests. Paid tiers unlock unlimited connections, additional content, training credits, and the CO Create sourcing workflow. Businesses enter their own profile information and upload certification or membership evidence; profile completeness, sustainability material, training credits, awards, and paid capabilities can influence visibility or ranking.

### Know before using

A profile, match, uploaded credential, training credit, award, or platform ranking is not independent certification of a supplier or proof of current capability, performance, impact, capacity, or project fit. The platform's own ranking inputs and paid visibility affect discovery. Verify credentials with the issuer and check the legal entity, production site, claims, samples, references, terms, and compliance directly.

### Account, payment, and exit

- Access scope: Fashion professional or supplier using content, profiles, connections, or a sourcing workflow.
- Before an account: Public content and explanation pages are visible while signed out; profiles, personalized matches, saved items, and connections require signup.
- Free-account boundary: A free account provides a personal or business profile, limited monthly connections, free content, and up to three portfolio items.
- Payment boundary: PRO adds unlimited connections, paid content and training, more profile capacity, and business sourcing workflows. Monthly and annual routes use provider-set terms.
- Cancellation or exit: Cancel in the account by selecting downgrade. A business profile returns to the free version and only its first three portfolio items remain visible.
- Saved work and data: Profiles can contain files, work history, product galleries, and sustainability evidence. The current access and pricing pages do not establish full export or deletion; retain originals.

## 3. NMSU Pattern Alteration Guide

Permanent record: <https://stitchauthority.com/directory/nmsu-pattern-alteration>
Source page: <https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_c/C228/>

- Primary job: Find patterns & fit
- Area: Patterns & fit
- For: Makers
- Location or jurisdiction: United States · North America
- Access: Open access
- Format: Reference
- Source type: Government guidance
- Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-21
- Next review due: 2026-10-19

### Best for

Checking a common flat-pattern alteration method

### What the source establishes

New Mexico State University's current Cooperative Extension Guide C-228 explains three alteration methods, folding out fullness, slashing and spreading or overlapping, and redrawing darts or seams. It provides illustrated bodice, sleeve, skirt, and trouser examples and tells readers to compare body measurements plus intended ease with the pattern while preserving grain, design lines, related-piece changes, and comfort ease.

### Know before using

The guide's general womenswear diagrams and ease ranges are teaching examples, not an individual diagnosis, current commercial-pattern specification, or complete fitting course. A named symptom can have several causes, and alterations may affect adjoining seams, facings, collars, sleeves, balance, and style. Verify the method against the exact pattern and test the coordinated changes on a muslin.

## 4. Pattern Grading & Size-Run Validation Record

Permanent record: <https://stitchauthority.com/directory/grading-guide>
Source page: <https://stitchauthority.com/guides/pattern-grading-explained>

- Primary job: Find patterns & fit
- Area: Patterns & fit
- For: Apparel brands
- Location or jurisdiction: Global
- Access: Open access
- Format: Stitch Authority
- Source type: Stitch Authority
- Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-27
- Next review due: 2027-07-27

### Best for

Auditing inherited grade rules or controlling a new multi-size pattern release from approved targets through sample evidence

### What the source establishes

The guide cites current ISO body-table, size-designation, and garment-measurement boundaries plus two peer-reviewed studies that tested the relationship between conventional grade rules, anthropometric evidence, and garment fit; it requires product-specific target deltas and validation instead of publishing universal increments.

### Know before using

The record does not create a production grade, supply universal increments or breakpoints, validate a CAD file or fit population, reproduce licensed standards, or replace qualified anthropometric, pattern, technical-design, fit, quality, accessibility, safety, statistical, and user-research review.

## Next checks

1. Remove any route whose audience, jurisdiction, access, or scope does not match the job.
2. Open the permanent record and source page for every remaining route.
3. Recheck facts that can change after the listed review date.
4. Verify project-specific capability, terms, test evidence, and legal requirements with the responsible source or provider.
5. Record the reason for the final choice outside Stitch Authority.
