Visual analysis of body shape changes during pregnancy

This paper describes how body shape changes during pregnancy affect pattern shape for maternity wear. Using a 3D body scanner, participants were scanned during each month of their pregnancy. Virtual fit-to-shape patterns were adjusted to fit each body scan using 3D digital draping. The pattern adjustment process represents the visual analysis of the relationship of body changes to pattern changes. The set of 2D front and back fit-to-shape patterns were overlaid in order to analyse pattern shape changes. The results of this study indicate that pattern changes corresponded to the body changes but the patterns did not increase proportionally to each other.