Method for laying out pieces to be cut automatically into a patterned fabric

A method for placing pieces intended to be cut automatically from a fabric having a pattern that repeats at a predetermined pitch, called pattern pitch, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) determining a list of pieces to be placed on the fabric;
• (b) for at least one piece of the placement, calculating a contour to be placed around the piece, the contour comprising a variable margin in order to avoid an overlap between adjacent pieces, the margin being a function of a predefined rate of variation of the fabric and of at least one predetermined constraint of placement of the piece on the fabric;
• and
• (c) developing a theoretical placement of the pieces on the fabric taking into account the contour to be placed for the at least one piece;
• wherein the rate of variation of the fabric corresponds to a percentage of elongation of the pattern fabric.