Basics of Pattern Making for Beginners

Looking for the best way to understand the nuances of fashion design. If so, you are at the right place. This article will guide you to get a complete understanding of pattern making in fashion design. Give wings to your passion in the fashion industry here!

Introduction

Along with artistic skills, technical skills are also important to be a true fashion design professional. The most important technical skill required for every fashion design student is pattern making. The structure is given more importance in pattern making.

Pattern making considers all the aspects of construction and fit of a particular garment. Fashion sketching focuses on visual representation and artistic expression, while pattern making focuses on the technical details in fashion design.

The journey of every garment starts with a pattern choice and creation. The clothing should be well-fitted to the body, and the pattern-making helps you to understand the nuances of creation. As a beginner, you need to learn the basics of pattern making to develop the best designs.

The pattern making involves processes such as measurements and calculations. Achieving technical accuracy is a key component of pattern making. Pattern making is one of the most interesting aspects of fashion design.

Fashion designing is not only a creative process but also a logical process, as it involves the pattern making. Here is the structured way for beginners to learn pattern making and become advanced learners in no time.

What Is Pattern Making in Fashion Designing?

The creation of garment blueprints is what you can simply call pattern making. It is one of the essential procedures in fashion design. It is important to create paper templates before putting creative efforts into them. The paper patterns will be cut into pieces.

These pieces will be cut precisely, and you can try them before stitching. The pattern-making transforms the idea of a fashion designer into garments that are designed for perfection. The sketch will eventually be transformed into patterns, and patterns will turn into garments that are stitched neatly and ready to wear.

In short, the pattern making in fashion designing involves the shape, structure, and size of the garments, along with the idea associated with the generation of a perfect fit.

Pattern making involves various pieces such as sleeves, collars, waistbands, and front and back, and the patterns for each piece are different. The developed separate pieces will be made into one single garment.

Pattern making plays a quintessential role in fashion design. The pattern making decides the quality of your work. The ideas about a garment transform themselves into pattern-making. The fashion illustration and pattern sketching together give birth to a new fit.

Pattern making is important, as it has the following features:

• Ensures consistent sizing
• Adheres to the comfortability
• Ensures the apt garment fit
• Precision in Fabric Cutting
• Guide through every cut and mark
• Less fabric wastage
• Helps with the mass production of garments
• Plays a major role in tailoring

The pattern making and fitting are directly and indirectly connected. The pattern making ensures the apt fit of the garment. Even without the pattern making, the design can be made, but it will lack precision and accuracy.

Fashion design will not have an existence without the pattern making. And thus, pattern making is regarded as the essential part of fashion designing.

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Types of Pattern-Making Methods

The fashion industry is finding a new source of inspiration every single day. Pattern making can be of different kinds. The practical work involves all the different pattern-making methods.

Flat pattern making

Beginners can resort to flat pattern-making methods. It is regarded as the most commonly used method of pattern making. Flat pattern making involves the patterns that are made of the measurements and size charts, which are standard.

The basic pattern is developed first. The basic pattern is otherwise called the block. After thorough revisions, designing features are inculcated into the garment and later modified into exciting garment styles. Here are some of the key features of flat pattern making-

• Learning and practising are easier.
• Beginner-friendly
• Standard mathematical calculations and measurements are used.
• Suitable for bulk garment manufacturing

Draping method

When the fabric is directly draped around a mannequin and then creates patterns that are visually appealing and creatively tailored, it is what you call the draping method of pattern making.

The desired design can be easily achieved with the fabric neatly pinned and arranged on the mannequin. It is adjusted in such a manner that the desired design can be accomplished with passion and dedication in pattern making. Here are some of the key features of draping method-

• Impart more visual and creative effects.
• Suitable for complex garment designs
• Practice harder to achieve the best pattern.
• Experience and skill are essential to resort to draping pattern-making methods.

Beginners should start learning the flat pattern-making process before moving to other pattern-making techniques. It is essential to build experience and expertise in your passionate area.

Basic Pattern-Making Tools & Equipment

Using the best, apt, and appropriate tools is essential for achieving precision in pattern making. Here is the list of the most basic and important tools and techniques in pattern making.

Measuring tools

Measurement and calculation are important aspects of pattern making.

Measuring tape

Body measurements can be accurately measured.

Ruler 

Straight lines and precise angles in measurements

Pencil 

Drawing lines and giving birth to ideas

Eraser

Apt correction of lines and patterns

Drafting tools

Drafting patterns using pattern or brown paper

Cutting tools

The cutting tools can be of different types. Let’s see the importance of each tool here-

• Paper scissors- for precise cutting of pattern pieces
• French curve- necklines, edges, and armholes can be designed.
• Tailor’s chalk- mark lines and curves.
• Tracing wheel- pattern markings can be transferred.

The accuracy in designing can be accomplished with the aid of proper and apt tools.

Understanding measurements 

Pattern making is useless without measurements. Measurements are the key to unlocking pattern making. The garment fit will be deeply affected by the minor errors in measurements.

Basic measurements in pattern making

Here are the basic measurements used in the pattern making.

• Waist measurement
• Hip measurement
• Bust measurement
• Armhole depth
• Shoulder width
• Garment length
• Neck circumference

Without leaving the measurement tape too tight or loose, the measurements should be taken.

Understanding Measurements & Body Fit

The alignment of the garment to the shape of the body is what you call body fit. The body fit is important while working on a garment. The fit can determine the perfection of the garment making. There are different types of fits-

• Regular fit- a balanced fit, comfortable and normal
• Tight fit- body hugging, less ease
• Loose fit- much more relaxed fit

Measurements and fits should be intact to keep the garments comfortable and more durable.

Common Types of Garment Patterns

Garments require different patterns based on the new style and designs. The basic garment pattern should be thoroughly understood by beginners. Here are the basic patterns that can help you during your fashion design journey.

Skirt pattern

It is one of the basic patterns that you learn at the beginner level. A-line, flared, and straight skirts are the basic skirt patterns.

Bodice pattern

The upper part of the garment, which includes the front and back pieces, has altogether different patterns. The blouses, shirts, dresses, and tops have different patterns. Learning about it requires more revision and research.

Sleeve pattern 

The sleeve patterns are directly or indirectly connected to the bodice patterns. Based on the overall design, the sleeve pattern will vary.

Trouser pattern

This pattern involves complex and complicated patterns, which consist of both the front and back pieces. Learn slowly about the subcategories in trouser patterns.

Yoke pattern and collar pattern

It adds structure to the overall pattern of the garment. The collar pattern and the yoke pattern are separate patterns in their own way and are later attached suitably to the overall garment pattern.

Basic pattern knowledge will help you to construct better designs that are stylish and comfortable.

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Difference Between Pattern Making & Stitching

Pattern making is different from stitching, but many people confuse the two. The purpose of them is entirely different. Pattern making involves the accurate drafting of different patterns on paper.

It usually focuses on the measurements, structure, complexity, composition, fit, and style. The pattern making is done way before the cutting of the fabric. It is the technical aspect of the garment designs.

Stitching, on the other hand, is entirely different. Stitching is the process by which fabric pieces and patterns are sewn together. The finishing process happens in stitching, and this is efficiently done after the cutting of the garment.

The sewing skills of the professionals should be extraordinary to stitch the garments of the desired size. The fit of the garment will ultimately be decided by the pattern making. It puts the garments in place, adhering to the new fashion style. Pattern making and stitching go hand in hand.

If the patterns are below the desired quality, there is no point in perfect stitching. Pattern making should reflect the mood and style of the designer.

Learning Pattern Making Through Fashion Designing Courses

A structured fashion design course will help you learn the nuances of pattern making. The fashion design courses will equip the learners to understand the concepts and gain practical knowledge in fashion design. The structured, methodological, and systematic practice can help you in the long run.

The fashion design course will help you to gain practical knowledge in the fashion industry. A slow and step-by-step learning approach will help you to gain a grip on the important topics.

The demonstrations by the expert guides will allow you to move systematically. The courses are designed to cater to individual needs. The practice-oriented learning environment will allow you to boost your performance potential. Industry experts will constantly support you to improve your industry-essential skills.

Pattern making is the core subject in fashion design. It is an essential topic that requires more practical assistance. The beginners will learn the basic pattern design skills to move to the advanced level. Online learning platforms will give easy access to the updated resources.

The structured and organised lessons are strictly career-oriented. The practical learning support is the best part of the learning. It will help you to build confidence and develop more skills to excel in the field. The individual potentials will be evaluated before assigning you practical work. Learn at your own pace.

Conclusion

Pattern making is the essential skill that fashion designers must have. The strong grip on the pattern-making will help you to become a qualified designer. You should know the difference between pattern making, sketching, and stitching. The garments you create will reflect your knowledge about patterns.

The proper guidance and support can help you to reach new heights. Pattern making can be a very challenging and, at the same time, promising area in the fashion design industry. With regular practice, you can build a strong career in the fashion industry.