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| Decision field | Open accessSeam Allowance ConverterGlobalRemove | Free downloadAAFA Restricted Substance ListGlobalRemove | Free + paidThreadloop Sewing Pattern DatabaseGlobalRemove | Open accessPattern Grading & Size-Run Validation RecordGlobalRemove |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decision fit | ||||
| Primary job | Find patterns & fit | Check standards | Find patterns & fit | Find patterns & fit |
| Also useful for | No additional job recorded | No additional job recorded | No additional job recorded | No additional job recorded |
| Area | Patterns & fit | Standards | Patterns & fit | Patterns & fit |
| Best for | Translating a seam allowance already stated by a pattern or controlled specification | Surveying finished-product chemical regulations | Searching current and out-of-print sewing patterns | Auditing inherited grade rules or controlling a new multi-size pattern release from approved targets through sample evidence |
| Know before using | This is a unit-translation reference. It does not select, approve, or change a seam allowance; establish a universal fraction; interpret an unstated cutting or stitching line; or replace the exact pattern version, controlled specification, material and seam evidence, sample, production method, equipment, tolerance, or release authority. | AAFA provides the list for information only and says it is voluntary, may contain omissions or inaccuracies, and is not legal advice. A global most-restrictive value is not a complete market or product determination. Verify the current controlling law, jurisdiction, product and component scope, exemptions, effective dates, test method, sampling plan, brand requirements, manufacturing-input controls, and other safety rules. | Community members add and quality-control the records, so confirm sizing, measurements, fabric suggestions, format, availability, errata, license, and purchase terms with the designer or publisher. Adding an entry to a stash does not provide the pattern files. Saved searches and private PDF storage are paid Plus features, and a listing or review does not establish pattern accuracy or fit. | 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. |
| Practical access | ||||
| For | Both | Apparel brands | Makers | Apparel brands |
| Location or jurisdiction | Global | Global | Global | Global |
| Access | Open access | Free download | Free + paid | Open access |
| Format | Stitch Authority | Reference | Community | Stitch Authority |
| Source type | Stitch Authority | Industry organization | Community database | Stitch Authority |
| Account, payment, and exit | ||||
| Access scope | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Sewer searching pattern records or organizing patterns, projects, fabric, notions, and private files. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Before an account | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Browse the pattern database, guide, designers, publications, and public community areas without creating an account. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Free-account boundary | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Not yet reviewed at this level. | A free account needs no card and supports a stash, wishlist, projects, reviews, and personal organization. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Payment boundary | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Plus adds PDF pattern storage, collections, saved searches, bulk editing, and other workflow features on monthly or annual billing. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Cancellation or exit | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Cancel through an in-account link. Paid features remain through the current billing cycle, then the account returns to free features. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Saved work and data | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Not yet reviewed at this level. | The terms say submitted materials remain yours, but the checked public pages do not explain a full export or how stored PDFs behave after downgrade. Keep originals outside the platform. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Source and review | ||||
| What the source establishes | NIST states that one inch is exactly 25.4 millimetres, and the SI decimal relationship makes one centimetre equal to 10 millimetres. The tool uses those factors, displays rounded equivalents, exposes the size difference to the nearest 1/16 inch when converting to inches, and preserves valid value, source-unit, and target-unit state in the URL. | AAFA published RSL Version 26 on January 28, 2026 in searchable spreadsheet and PDF formats. The association describes it as a regularly updated reference to laws and regulations restricting chemicals in finished apparel, footwear, accessories, and home textiles. Its methodology records final-product or component limits, jurisdiction, test method, and comments, and excludes factory-process restrictions and non-chemical product-safety rules. | Threadloop's official guide describes an independent, fully crowdsourced database covering available and out-of-print sewing patterns. Its search supports pattern type, fabric type, age group, body type, cup size, level, format, file features, language, measurements, availability, and other filters; members can also track a stash, wishlist, projects, reviews, and discussions. Current terms state that the free plan requires no card, paid upgrades start billing immediately, cancellation retains paid features through the current cycle, and the account then returns to free features. | 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. |
| Linked page reviewed | Jul 28, 2026 | Jul 21, 2026 | Jul 28, 2026 | Jul 27, 2026 |
| Next review due | Jul 28, 2027 | Oct 19, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | Jul 27, 2027 |
| Inspect | ||||
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