Knowing The Fundamentals of Garment Pattern Making Can Help Aspiring Designers to Carve a Niche in The Field of Fashion

Pattern making is the complete process of creating a blueprint of your garment. A pattern is typically used as a template necessary to cut out fabric that matches the essential specifications to sew a garment. The process of garment pattern making takes into account the type of material, the necessary fit on the wearer, and any trims that are likely to be used. The pattern is used to make 2-dimensional fabric sit appropriately on a 3-dimensional body.

Industrial Pattern Making

Industrial pattern making is a blueprint for creating the export-ready garments. It is a framework or a template to make all of the components of a garment necessary to form a complete piece of clothing. Industrial pattern making is the link between design and production that turns overseas buyer’s designer’s sketch into a three-dimensional functional garment.

The Different Methods of Pattern Making

Pattern making consists of three methods-

  • Drafting
  • Draping
  • Flat paper patternmaking

Drafting:

It involves measurements obtained from the different body measurements taken on a person, dress or body form that need to be matched. Measurements for waist, chest, hip etc., and ease allowances are also marked on paper and construction lines are drawn to complete the created pattern. Drafting is also used to create a foundation or design patterns.

Draping:

It involves the draping of a two-dimensional piece of fabric around a particular form, conforming to its shape, creating a three-dimensional fabric pattern. Ease allowances for movement are added to a garment to make it comfortable to wear. Advantages of draping are that the designer can see the overall design and pattern effect of the final garment on the body form even before the garment piece is cut and sewn. However, it is more expensive and time-consuming than flat pattern making.

Flat Pattern Making:

It involves the development of a basic fitted pattern to fit a person or body form. A sloper is the starting point for a flat pattern designing. It is usually a simple pattern that fits the body with just enough ease for movement and comfort. The basic structure of a sloper must be such that adjustments can be introduced quickly. For a good pattern making, precise measurements are of incredible importance.

Significance of Garment Ease

After having your body measurements, you must determine the garment ease. The garment ease is the amount of difference between body measurements and garment measurements. It will determine how the garment fits in relation to the body for which it is specifically designed. A loose garment will have more comfort than fitted attire. Some garments, like the athletic leggings, will often have what’s called negative ease; that means that the garment measurements are relatively smaller than the body measurements. It will also highlight if there are any negative ease which is also not useful. Negative ease can only be applicable for stretch fabrics. Garment pattern making thus has a crucial role to play.

Creating a Production-ready Pattern

The first and the foremost step to finalizing your pattern is called ‘trueing’ your pattern. This means ensuring that the seam lines on each piece match the length of the seam lines on the piece they will be sewn to and that there are no strange angles at the top of bottom of the seams. For most portions of the garment, you’ll want these seam lengths to match precisely.

A garment is a three-dimensional product, whereas the raw materials such as the fabric are two dimensional. So to convert into a three-dimensional garment, industrial pattern makers must introduce the depth and fullness to the fabric in a specific area to get a proper fit for the human body. This process can be effortlessly done with the help of pattern making.

With Pattern Creations‘, online pattern creation courses, making garments with your favourite designs and cuts has become much easier. Hence, opt for one such course to create some appealing designs.

A Comprehensive Guide on Pattern Making and Why It Is Important

Pattern creation in fashion industry is a skilled procedure. The details and technique used to make a pattern ensure that garments are made with ultimate precision and minimum errors. Once you are done with your design, your rough sketch has to be turned into technical drawings before the patterns are made. This is why both offline and online pattern making courses in Australia and other parts of the globe have become quite demanding.

For designers who are new to fabric pattern creation, there are various resources that they can take the help of, like the professionals who provide training on pattern making. Pattern Creations provide online training courses to fulfil your requirements on the right pattern creations, designing, and developing. Through pattern creation courses, designers will help visualise the fit and decide what type of size will be perfect for the fittings.

Mainly pattern helps in creating a connection between creativity and production that makes the designing process much simpler for both brands and manufacturers. In this blog, we will help you know about pattern making basics and provide you with insights into garment shaping.

How to Make the Right Patterns

There are various ways or methods available for making the right patterns for commercial purposes. Though the pop culture made this concept, not all methods are 3-dimensional. It has become a trend for pattern makers to use computers or even high-end tablets to create patterns that can be used for cutting and assembling everything.

No matter what type of pattern making tool a designer is using, the initial stage starts with a designer who sketches a dress they like to make. Though the basic is made with keeping in mind the human structure, some more steps are involved in transforming the initial idea into the garment.

Check Out Pattern Making Basics

Pattern making is the art of translating a designer’s basic idea for designing a garment into a real piece of dress that attractively fits a human being. There is some pattern making steps that have been rocking the market for several centuries. Moreover, some pattern creators also prefer using old school techniques for the purpose.

Several generations of experience have helped in developing new methods of creating patterns that are useful for designers. A technique that helps to convert a sketch to a real garment is possible due to pattern making, and now, designers are shifting from flat patterns to 3-D patterns.

Pattern Creations is one such name in the apparel designing industry that aims to provide the best online courses on pattern making and give knowledge on sewing and fashion designing basics.

Essentials Of Garment Pattern Making That You Want To Know

Creating patterns for garments requires skills. The technique behind every pattern makes sure the garment is made to specification without any error.

If you want to sew your own clothes and learn garment pattern making basics, you are in luck. At Pattern Creations Australia, we can help you learn creating patterns through our comprehensive online courses.

By understanding the basics of pattern creation, you will gain an insight into how your clothing will take shape.

What are the patterns?

The term pattern in sewing refers to the blueprint for garments. Patterns can be crafted both in the form of paper format and or digital file. The digital print is then printed on a paper.

Pattern making involves creating clothing and sewing patterns using blocks and slopers. They can be developed in a range of styles with various techniques. If some techniques do not suit your fancy, do not hesitate to try another one. Remember, there are always ways available.

Pattern making basics

Pattern making is a practice of translating a designer’s idea for a cloth into a real piece of garment to fit the human body well. While there are lots of old pattern making techniques available, today’s techniques are way more advanced, thanks to the generations of experience in the field. Most designers, these days, have turned to make 3-D patterns, thanks to the digital era.

If you see the apparel industry closely, you will notice that pattern designs take myriads of different forms. However, the pattern making basics remains the same – bringing the garment’s idea into reality.

Where to learn pattern making?

Pattern making is an exciting practice, especially if you want to spend time to sew your own garment. Learning pattern making is not a hard job, and anyone can master the skills. At Pattern Creations Australia, you can learn pattern making in a simple and affordable way. Our online course helps you to gather knowledge in the following areas of pattern making:

  • Drafting lets you create block patterns and
  • Lay planning enables you to decide how to lay out your pattern on the chosen fabric
  • Assembly includes basic sewing and pattern making instructions

Learning pattern making

Producing a garment needs the right expertise from start to finish. If you want to expand your knowledge of garment production, it makes sense to create your own patterns. Online courses, study and local workshops are the best way to learn new skills. However, you need to understand it takes lots of time and patience to acquire the most coveted skills of pattern making.

Online courses give you a brief insight into the process of pattern making. With time, you will be able to understand the complexities of the process while developing the required skills and expertise. Learning pattern making is not an overnight thing, so make sure you keep your cool with it.

At Pattern Creations Australia, learning how to make patterns for your own cloth is easier than you think. No matter the skill level, anyone can learn pattern making through our online, affordable courses.

What are the Ideal Methods of Pattern Drafting for Fashion Design?

A simple definition of pattern-making is altering a piece of cloth for making outfits that suit a person’s body shape. In a way, it is nothing less than the building block of fashion design. Furthermore, pattern drafting is an essential skill needed in the career of fashion designing because without this skill it is not possible to make a perfect garment. This knowledge is also needed in varying degrees by costume designers, fashion designers, sewing business owners, home sewists, and pattern makers. So now, you can understand how pattern drafting in fashion designing is very significant in this industry.

Methods of Pattern Making

Nowadays, there are many methods of pattern making. However, the most perfect and easy way to make patterns is by computer. That is why the demand for pattern making software is very high in the garment making industry. They rely on this computer software for making various patterns with the talent of professional fashion designers. Computerised pattern making is faster, with less chance of errors, yet it is a bit costly. That is why many go for manual pattern drafting.

Manual pattern drafting is done by two main methods, which include Flat pattern drafting method (with block patterns) & the Draping method.

Flat Pattern Drafting

It is the process of making drawing on a pattern paper in accordance with the body measurements and design on a fashion sketch. It is considered to be the most accurate pattern making method amongst fashion designers. The fundamental patterns are referred to as slopers, which has bare minimum ease. Generally, it fits the figure T. the fundamental slopers are then altered to create various types of other complex yet feature-rich flat patterns. Simultaneously, the slopers are managed and altered by adding ease along with other design elements like tucks, fullness, change in design lines, etcetera.

Even though fashion sketches and patterns are flat, but clothes are definitely not. Things that add depth and dimension to the flat patterns are the design elements. Spreading and slashing of the sloper patterns bring more plumpness to the pattern, and then darts are added to offer a 3D effect, and fabric manipulations provide texture to the fabric.

Draping Method

It is called draping the fabric on the dress form, after that pattern is done. Usually, the fabric used in this case is muslin that is pinned directly on to the mannequin, and adjustments are made like darts, tucks, and curves are pinned, and the marking is done with the chalk.

This process helps the designer to clearly check how the fabric drapes and how it will turn out in the end. Therefore, when you want to visualize your design in a 3 dimensional way before making a pattern, then this is the method for you. The draping is nearly transformed into a flat pattern before it is made into the final garment.

For more information regarding pattern drafting, visit Pattern Creations today.

Lesser-Known Facts About Stretch Fundamentals of Pattern Making

To know more about the stretch fundamentals of pattern making, we need to understand the difference between woven and knit fabrics. In that case, it is significant to state that Lycra or spandex can be added to woven and knit garments for adding stretch. However, we will look into both these fabrics in their natural state and later discuss about adding spandex. When you know the fabric’s structure, it becomes easy to understand the reason and how stretch and knit is managed interchangeably, even though many woven fabric are known to have stretch. The point is when you know the fundamentals then you will be able to make the best use of a clothes pattern making software based on your requirements.

Woven fabric is made by weaving or interlacing the threads in conjunction on right angles to each other. Generally, maximum threads in their natural form do not stretch. Imagine pulling the woven fabric on the left and right side, up and down side. Either way, you are pulling the fabric along the length of the thread. There are loops in the structure of the fabric that opens up, allowing the stretching of the fabric. It is how the loops of the knitted yarn are made to allow stretching.

The difference between Stretch woven & Knits

Well, jerseys are usually knits, but in many cases it is not easy to tell it at one go. However, checking the end part of the fabric or the cut edge will provide you with information on whether the fabric is knit or stretch woven. If you check a tartan fabric, you will find at the cut edge that it is frayed, plus the interlaced crosswise and lengthwise threads are coming loose. On the other hand, a velvet fabric has an edge where it curls than frays. It is proof that it is a knit fabric. It should be noted that fabric that stretches on the lengthwise grain is capable of curling on the selvedge.

Ways to check the amount of stretch on a piece of fabric

When you want to test the amount of stretch, fold the fabric first on the grain which you want to test. Make sure to do it on the crosswise grain for Stretch woven, crosswise and/ lengthwise Knits. Also, fold it over if you are stretching some distance away from the edge. First, put two pins in the fabric and then take a tape to measure for marking a particular distance.

Also, fabrics can be divided into three types based on what direction they stretch in and how/where the stretch is derived. There is One way stretch, Two way stretch, and Four way stretch, on which a piece of fabric is categorised. This information is significant when drafting the pattern accordingly because the maximum stretch goes around the body for a dress. To decide the right kind of fabric for a dress, you need to know to have the information when you can use two-way stretch and when you need four way stretch.

For more information regarding drafting, visit pattern creations today.

Importance of Learning Pattern Making

It needs practice to create patterns for clothing production. The technique behind every pattern ensures that the garments are made to specification with a minimal margin of error.  After you have designed your clothing, the sketches need to be turned into technical drawings before patterns can be created.

People who are new to fabric patterns, there are professionals and pattern making course online as well that can assist you. Pattern creations Australia can help you in this whole process. The critical stage in development will help you to visualize the fit and decide the size ranges of clothing. Pattern bridge the gap between ideation and production. It makes the process straightforward for the brand as well as manufacturer.

How to create patterns

There are different methods professionals use to make commercial patterns. Despite the conception created by pop culture, all these methods do not include three-dimensional dress forms. It is popular for pattern makers to use computers or tablets to make patterns that can be used to cut and assemble clothes.

No matter which pattern making tools are employed, the process begins when the designer makes a sketch of a garment. With this sketch, there are some steps that need to take in order to transform the idea into a garment.

Pattern making basics

Pattern making is the art of translating a basic idea for a garment into real piece of apparel that fits someone in a flattering way. Many techniques have been used in pattern making for centuries and some pattern makes prefer to keep things old school.

Generations of experience in making design patterns have produced adapted techniques in the art of pattern making. Techniques that turns a sketch in real one is valid in pattern making and many designers moved on from flat patterns to making three dimensional patterns in the digital world.

The designers tend to get their heads stuck in the clouds with whimsical ideas and plans that will never pan out, pattern makers are tasked with the responsibility of making these dreams into products that can be mass produced or worn down the runway.

While clothing manufacturers are mere workhorses, pattern makers have to be imaginative even though they fulfill pragmatic roles. Designing a garment is one thing, but making sure that these designs can actually see the light of day is a pattern maker’s unique responsibility. Pattern makers are to fashions as directors are to films; in the production of a film, it’s the screenwriter’s job to come up with amazing ideas and the director’s job to make sure that all of the actors work together, and in the world of fashion, it’s a pattern maker’s job to make sure that designs on paper communicate properly tangible fabrics in the real world.

Have a Look on Basics of Pattern Making In Women Garment Industry

A pattern is an outline made on hard paper depending upon each individual’s style to wear garments. It is the template from where a garment’s parts are traced to the fabric before being cut or assembled. This step is one of the most important steps in garment making. Pattern making for womenswear is a highly skilled technique that needs methodological skills, knowledge about design, and practical understanding of garment preparation. Pattern making acts as a bridge between your design and production of a dress.

A basic pattern is made by two different methods- drafting or draping fabric over a model. Pattern drafting is a drawing pattern on brown paper with accurate precision depending on body measurements and or standard measuring chart. It is an economical method used for making various patterns or styles of dresses.

Types of Paper Patterns Available-

Various types of paper patterns are found to help a designer draft the design for an outfit on a paper. If you are new to this business and want to start your boutique or garments store, you can avail online pattern-making courses or buy CDs that will help you to have a vivid knowledge of garment designing, drafting, and pattern making.

  1. Standardised Paper Pattern– the paper pattern is made by using body measurements. This method is practiced during training and tailoring courses.
  2. Individual Paper Pattern- Here, the measurement of an individual is taken into account, and a pattern is made on that particular measurement. A pattern made for one person will not suit another person. These patterns are mainly made for customised orders or at specialised tailoring shops.
  3. Final Paper Pattern- once the individual is satisfied with standardised paper pattern, the final paper pattern is made. While making individual paper patterns, several precautions are maintained; some minor changes or issues that are left behind, are corrected while making final paper patterns.
     
  4. Block Paper Patterns– these patterns are made with standard sizes on cardboard. These patterns are mainly used in the larger garment manufacturing industries. Apparels made out of these block patterns will normally fit everyone with similar body type as they have standard measurements.
     
  5. Graded Paper Pattern– patterns of 5 common sizes like 30″, 32″, 34″, 36″ and 38″ chest sizes are made with one single pattern. The required size as per individual body measurement is taken separately, cut, and used.
  6. Readymade Paper Pattern– in this type of pattern making, a unique tracing paper is used. These tracing papers are brought from the market and are best suitable for people in the stitching business. These patterns are available in readymade sizes and used easily by putting the pattern on the fabric, cutting the shape, and stitched.
     
  7. Commercial Paper Pattern– These patterns are available in various colours and designs. These patterns are available in an envelope with a design instruction sheet. The sheet will give you an idea of selecting the right fabric, marking the fabric, cutting, and sewing steps.

Benefits of Using Paper Patterns

  1. A perfect pattern that has a size sheet made on individual requirements results in a better fit. 
  2. Paper pattern made on thick cardboard is highly durable and can be reused several times
  3. By using the flat pattern method, anyone can make patterns to get original designs
  4. Paper pattern of a particular size is suitable to make patterns of other sizes by the grading process
  5. These patterns can be customised or modified as per the latest fashion trends.

This is a basic guide on pattern making for designing apparels. If you want to have some ideas on designing and drafting women’s dresses, you can learn from online courses provided by Patterns Creations.

One Size Won’t Fit Everyone and a CAD Pattern Making Course Online Will Teach You this

The goal of getting involved in the fashion industry is a coveted and most glamorous career opportunity for people. If you are to pursue such a dream and are looking for some pointers, then it is crucial to be aware of some essential facts about the fashion industry. For instance, you need to know that both the fashion industry and its creations require a level of flexibility different than any other sector. Hence, getting enrolled in a CAD pattern making course online has more importance than you thought.

Getting prepared for the fashion industry

Developing the right skills is required for any career and industry, and fashion requires a little more devotion, time and involvement. Moreover, you are entering the industry at such a juncture when fashion and decade-old ideas about what it should be is transforming. Social and environmental issues are influencing every aspect of fashion, including the dress material to how it is being sourced. The use of colour and other embellishments, cuts and designs of dresses, how a man or a woman is being portrayed through dresses, everything is changing. 

Emerging changes in the fashion industry

Forward-thinking individuals in the industry are taking fashion forward while making it sustainable, affordable, beautiful and not derogatory in any sense of the term. Fashion houses and companies are busy in creating new strategies so that they can handle the emerging trends and shifts in the market. Due to the global pandemic, some aspects of the fashion industry are rapidly changing. For instance, people are looking into customising and accessorising the PPE gear.

Acquiring the skills, you will need

Society and its norms are changing, thoughts are changing, and practices are changing as well. Fashion houses have realised that the old ideas and opinions are not going to work anymore. Hence, they are looking for designers, creators and other professionals who are skilled and have fresh thoughts to survive and thrive in the new world order. This can be your ticket to greatness, and you can begin with gathering the needed skills. If you want to remain involved directly with the designing of dresses, then completing a pattern making course will help. 

Determining the future carefully

This is a time of crisis, and it requires critical thought on the subject to determine the future of a fashion house and the clothing lines it makes. Today’s ideas will decide if the fashion house can remain in business in the future, or whether it will be discarded. The pattern making course will help a lot in this situation as it will teach you some valuable lessons, such as one size won’t fit everyone. The consumer of today are well-aware of fashion and emerging trends. They know their stuff and are determined to be taken seriously and want their need to be looked after.

The tools to wield your potential and use it

Whether it is about designing luxury garments or creating uniquely diverse dresses or using alternative and environment-friendly materials or catering to the emerging market niche, the course will prepare you for everything. You will learn that the dress needs to fit the customer; otherwise, its purpose is lost, and the item won’t sell. The course will provide the tools to bring your ideas to fruition, and that will be essential for your career. 

Sewing Your Own Clothing Has Never Been Easier With Online Dressmaking Courses

Sewing is not just a fulfilling hobby, it is a gateway to body acceptance, creative skills and a soothing practice that helps you escape the fast fashion trends. Learning how to sew your own clothes can change your life forever. If you wish to learn how to make unique outfits for yourself, online dressmaking courses in Australia are there to save you.

Sewing is a great hobby to pursue. Starting a new hobby can be overwhelming, this is why we are here to take you through some interesting dressmaking tips to help you get started.

Tips if you are sewing for the first time

Supplies

When you are sewing for the first time, you will need a few essential items. That may include a seam ripper, sharp scissors, thread, pencil, a measuring tape, pins etc. You will also require a sewing machine.

Fabric

If you are a beginner, cotton fabric is ideal for you. It is easier to sew as you can pin it together and sew easily. Look for light or medium weight cottons that you can begin with.

Sewing courses

If you feel nervous to visit a shop or have a no idea which fabric to buy, there are dressmaking kits available online that come with sewing fabric and patterns- ideal for beginners.

You can also take online sewing classes that are a great way to help you get through the process easier.

Create your own rules of sewing

Online classes are a fantastic way to utilize your skills to get better at sewing. You can make your own sewing rules to make the entire process easier.

  • Decide what you want to achieve. Choose what you sew and keep cool with it
  • When you begin with learning how to sew, make clothes for yourself first
  • Feel motivated to sew for your own pleasure.
  • Sewing is a fulfilling activity, do not let it become a dreaded task for you
  • Go at your own pace and do not feel pressurized by your mistakes

In a nutshell

Learning sewing takes time. When you are starting something new, it is best not to rush because you do not want to miss out on essential steps. Allow yourself a few weeks to months (it depends on your learning ability and the time you are spending on it) so that you can start sewing clothes without making any mistakes.    

How Pattern Creations Australia can help you?

At Pattern Creations Australia, we take you on a journey of pattern making with our affordable online course. With our 12-week online tutor support, anyone can learn how to design and make their own dresses.

Our sewing instructor will help you with tips and techniques so that you can transform your imagination into a self-made wardrobe that you love.

What are the benefits of our online sewing course?
  • You can learn at your own pace
  • We provide you with useful tips and methods to help you make your own clothes
  • You will acquire sewing skills that are not only unique but you can also transfer them in your future sewing projects
  • Our expert can teach you how to sew skirts, blouses, trousers for women, kids wear, menswear and more.
  • Take the leap now

    Our online training class lets you work at your own pace anytime, anywhere. Learn everything you want to know about sewing your favourite clothing with more advanced techniques.