If anyone is in any mild confusion as to why I am so obsessed with Patterns, this should help clarify. This is what you can do when you know how to flat Pattern cut, when you know the subtle nuances of fit and fiber, and when passion and creativity take over and elevate you from […]
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Week 3: Fitting the Toile
Not wishing to sound too school ma’am-y, but I do hope you all have managed to draft your Basic Blocks, move the Dart across as well as add seam allowance to your Basic Block, cut from Calico and stitch up to form the Toile. Lovely! But now comes probably the most challenging part of creating […]
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Snippets from Pattern History
So, I thought I’d talk a little about the early history of the Dressmaking Pattern this week because, even through we are learning to make our own this month it is interesting and leads nicely in to tomorrows Tutorial all about scaling Historical and Vintage Patterns up. Facsimile of the pattern pieces, […]
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Week 2: The Toile
My dear readers, this weekend I have once again been felled by the ‘flu. This year has just been awful for ‘flu hasn’t it? I am still feeling quite poorly however; I was so sad to have missed today’s post I am propped up in bed, watching QI (always guaranteed to cheer oneself up!) and typing weakly […]
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Notions: Marking Your Handmade Patterns
Hopefully you are well on your way to drafting your first Block and these are a few vital pieces of information it is advisable you note down on each and every Pattern piece. This will help to identify the pattern and assist you if you decide to make it up again. As a costume designer, I have […]
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Pattern Cutting Resources
Welcome back to Pattern Cutting Month!! Remember to snaffle a button for your Blog if you are following along! Some invaluable Pattern Cutting resources are listed here. If you are to take drafting your own patterns seriously, some, if not all, of these basics should inevitably be purchased. Obviously there are many Pattern drafting and […]
Pattern Making / Sewing Techniques
Week 1: Drafting the Basic Blocks
From Practical Home Dressmaking Illustrated by Lynn Hillson Welcome to the first Tutorial of Pattern Month!! Firstly, you will find it useful to know the four stages of Pattern development: 1. The Basic Block. This is the Basic Pattern that is used as a basis for all adaptations. The Block Pattern is traced on to […]
Pattern Making / Sewing Techniques
Measuring yourself for a perfect fit.
So, you’ve picked out the perfect Pattern, or your making your own during Pattern Month, you’ve chosen your fabric & are generally wildly excited about learning how to make your own clothes, but where to start? The very first thing to do is to take some measurements, in order to figure out what size is best […]
Pattern Making
Pattern Month!!
Welcome to Pattern Month! Pattern Month is a great way to start your pattern making journey… I will blog tutorials, advice and information, reviews of and interviews with independent Pattern Companies such as Grainline Studio, By Hand London and In House Patterns to name but a few and many other Pattern Cutting related posts. Each […]
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Notions: Concealed Zips
I am working on my latest Zine project- all about Zips- and thought I’d post a couple of hints about how to place a Concealed Zip in to your garment. Whilst not overly difficult, they can be enormously awkward and frustrating!! Once you have the hang of them however; they can be a handy way […]