Sample (prototype)
The first garment sewn from a pattern, used to check fit, construction and finish before production.
The sample is made in the base size and is approved or corrected. Only once it is approved is the pattern graded to the rest of the size range and production started. Approval covers the measurements against the specification and the construction details.
Example
A brand approves a t-shirt sample after correcting the neckline width by 1 cm; the correction is made on the base pattern, and only then are all the sizes graded.