A technologically important use of the free-space interference patterns formed by phase gratings is in the creation of the refractive-index variation along optical fiber Bragg gratings. The patterns can be imaged directly by use of a tapered optical fiber tip, which acts as a local probe of the optical field. We present measurements of these patterns under varying conditions and compare them with theoretical predictions. In discussing the results within the context of fiber grating manufacture, we also demonstrate the effects of incident-beam misalignment and wave-front curvature.