Professional Pattern Cutting Course
If you want to create your own pattern designs for clothing for yourself or for commercial purposes this course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need. The course is designed to take you from enthusiastic beginner to a level where you have a thorough grounding in pattern cutting so that you will be able to use a Basic Block/Sloper to create a pattern to your own design for a complete garment.
A note about units of measurement - I work in centimetres how ever I give inch equivalents in all lecture notes and videos too!
If you have any questions please email me at: [email protected]
Watch the video for an overview of the course and some background.
This Course is split into 3 parts. The first part is made up of 15 lessons, with videos, where appropriate. It gives you all the background and essential knowledge you need to understand pattern cutting. This section can be used as a reference guide, whilst you are free to read it all in one go it is really intended to be something you dip in and out of as you need to. Used in this way it is also more likely that the information will sink in.
The second part of the course is much more practical, we start with skirts and move on to bodice pattern cutting including rotating darts. Bodices are followed by trouser styles, drafting collars and finally basic sleeve pattern cutting.
The lessons are structured in a way that means you read my lesson notes that describe the pattern cutting steps in great details and then watch the video that supports the notes.
Section 3 of the course gets to the 'nitty gritty' of pattern cutting. Here I guide you through the finer details of pattern cutting, adding button stands, fitting lines etc. I will also cover darts in great details and you will learn how to pivot darts professionally.
There are lots of PDF's to download, and charts as well as a set of quarter and half scale blocks for you to download and follow along. Obviously you can follow along in full scale, using your own blocks, if you prefer. I work in half scale for the course so that the whole process can fit into the video frame, this means you can see everything I am doing.
If all that wasn't enough I have also added a number of bonus modules that cover pattern drafting for shirts and blouse styles and I show you my favourite shirt draft!
I cover the importance of technical sketches and also introduce you to draping on the dress stand.
I couldn't resist adding a section in to start you drafting your own blocks, if you choose to.
Finally a section of the course that I intend to build and add to as the course grows - called PATTERN MAPS. In PATTERN MAPS I intend to add visual guides to pattern drafts to inspire you!
In total the course has over 80 lessons supported by 50 videos.
The Basic Principles of Pattern Design
Use this part of the course as a reference section to dip in and out of as required - it contains all the basic knowledge you need to have a good solid foundation to your pattern cutting journey!
Skirt Pattern Design
We begin the pattern cutting foundations course with skirts, there is no better place to start! Here you will learn valuable skills that you can use as a base for all the other course units. We will work in half scale and develop a range of basic skirt styles.
Bodice Pattern Development
In this unit of the course we learn how to create patterns using the basic bodice block. You will learn how to professionally draft a range of bodice styles while picking up the correct terminology. We will also cover the slashing method of moving darts!
Learn the Modeliste Creative Method of Trouser Cutting
Using my methods and techniques you can be sure to create perfectly balanced and well cut trouser styles every time! Follow me as I create half scale examples of each trouser draft and follow along with the templates provided in half scale.
Basic Collar Drafting
In this section of the course we look at a range of basic collar drafts, follow me using the detailed lesson notes and accompanying videos as I show you how to draft basic collars.
Basic Sleeves Explored
Here you can let your creativity go wild - once you have the basic techniques for sleeve drafting you will be excited to get started with designing and drafting your own individual sleeve styles - Here your own creativity is the only limit!
The 'Nitty Gritty' of Pattern Cutting
Here we look at finishing details, including waistbands, button stands, plackets etc. The finer details you need to know to finish off your pattern professionally!
The Complete Darts Workbook
Download this PDF guide to working with darts, the very foundation of pattern design.
PATTERN MAPS!
This is a 'Live' section of the course - Here I will be adding visual pattern drafts to inspire and inform you!
Drafting your own Blocks or Slopers.
This bonus module is here to introduce you to drafting your own blocks from scratch. I know this isn't for everyone - after all my company moto is ' Why waste your precious time drafting & grading blocks, when I have done all the hard work for you! So feel free to use this as and when you feel ready!
Flats or Tech Sketches
We take a brief look at why tech sketches are so important in pattern design.
Draping or Moulage or Modelling on the Stand
The course provides a very brief introduction to draping fabric on the stand - to develop these skills further you may want to join me for a modelling course!
Find out more on my Blog
If you would like to stay up to date about the courses as I add them, or if you are just interested in my Blocks/Slopers (and other projects that I am doing) you will find lots more information on my Blog. You can just browse or subscribe for updates (and FREE downloads) if you wish. Click the image to visit the Blog!
Happy Pattern Making!...Nicola
Course Curriculum
- Introduction to my BIG Pattern Cutting Guide - And How to use it!
- Module P1 - Lesson 1 - Introduction to Pattern Cutting
- Module P1 - Lesson 2 - What is Pattern Design ?
- Module P1 - Lesson 3 - Drafting Basic Blocks or Slopers
- Module P1 - Lesson 4 - Tools of the Trade
- Module P1 - Lesson 5 - Size Charts & how to Measure
- Module P1 - Lesson 6 - The Dress Stand or Mannequin
- Module P1 - Lesson 7 - What is a Basic Block - Sloper - A Note on Stretch Wear
- Module P1 - Lesson 8 - The Advantages of Drafting your own Patterns
- Module P1 - Lesson 9 - Workflow - Making a Pattern from a Block - PDF DOWNLOADS
- Module P1 - Lesson 10 - Key Industry Stages
- Module P1 - Lesson 11 - Ease Explained
- Module P1 - Lesson 12 - Woven Fabric Grain Explained
- Module P1 - Lesson 13 - Seam Allowance, Notches, Drill Holes etc. (27:02)
- Module P1 - Lecture 14 - Facings, Fitting Lines & Closures (4:23)
- Module P1 - Lesson 15 - A Note on Fitting Toiles
- Module P2 - Lesson 1 - Introduction to Skirt Pattern Cutting (3:19)
- Module P2 - Lesson 2 - The A-line Skirt Draft (21:57)
- Module P2 - Lesson 3 - Creating Yoke Style Lines (18:39)
- Module P2 - Lesson 4 - The Wrap Over Skirt Style (11:21)
- Module P2 - Lesson 5 - Skirts from Rectangular Pattern Pieces
- Module P2 - Lesson 6 - Circular Skirts
- Some Hints & Tips - Extra Information & Links
- Module P2 - Lesson 1 - Introduction to Trouser Cutting (2:51)
- Module P2 - Lesson 2 - The Tapered Trouser - Skinny Fit (11:33)
- Module P2 - Lesson 3 - The Boot Cut - or Flared Trouser (5:40)
- Module P2 - Lesson 4 - 501 Style Jeans Draft (11:36)
- Module P2 - Lesson 5 - Pleated Front Trouser
- Module P2 - Lesson 6 - Elasticated Casual Trouser Styles (8:34)
- Module P2 - Lesson 7 - Wide Leg Trouser Styles
- Conclusion & Useful Links
- Module P2 - lesson 1 - An Introduction to Collars
- Module P2 - Lesson 2 - Drafting the Band, Mandarin and Prussian Collar (21:00)
- Module P2 - Lesson 3 - Drafting Flat, Peter Pan and Sailor Collars (15:55)
- Module P2 - Lesson 4 - The Simple Shirt Collar (8:00)
- Module P2 - Lesson 5 - Shirt Collar with Separate Stand (12:15)
- Module P2 - Lesson 6 - Drafting the Convertible Collar (12:00)
- Collar Conclusion
- Introduction to Sleeve Pattern Drafting (5:41)
- Module P2 - Lesson 1 - Increasing or Decreasing Sleeve Head Ease (7:03)
- Module P2 - Lesson 2 - Drafting a Bespoke Sleeve Block
- Module P2 - Lesson 3 - Easing a Sleeve into an Armhole
- Module P2 - Lesson 4 - Spot the Mistake!
- Module P2 - Lesson 5 - Cuffs & Sleeve Openings
- Module P2 - Lesson 6 - Sleeve Styles - An Introduction
- Module P2 - Lesson 7 - The Semi Fitted Sleeve Draft (4:36)
- Module P2 - Lesson 8 - Sleeve Lengths (4:40)
- Module P2 - Lesson 9 - Armhole Adaptations to the Basic Block (2:32)
- Module P2 - Lesson 10 - The Dropped Shoulder
- Module P2 - Lesson 11 - The Cap Sleeve (9:07)
- Module P2 - Lesson 12 - The Puff Sleeve (8:51)
- Module P2 - Lesson 13 - The Lantern Sleeve (5:30)
- Module P2 - Lesson 14 - The Shirt / Blouse Sleeve
- Module P2 - Lesson 15 - The Bishop Sleeve
- Module P2 - Lesson 16 - The Leg o'Mutton Sleeve
- Module P2 - Lesson 17 - The Fit & Flare Sleeve (5:52)
- Module P2 - Lesson 18 - The Asymmetrical Puff Sleeve (10:41)
- Sleeve Conclusion & Useful Links
- Introduction To Pattern Maps (0:03)
- PATTERN MAP TROUSERS -Jodphur Trouser Draft
- The Circular Trouser Draft
- Childs or Adults Gathered Top
- 'School Skirt' - Flat Front - Gathered Back
- Churinda Link and Notes
- The Empire Line
- Ranglan Sleeve Draft Illustration and Toile Example (0:15)
- SIMPLE - Grown on Collar Draft - Waterfall & Shawl Collars