BEHIND THE SEAMS
DESIGN IT YOURSELF
Dreaming of your ideal wardrobe? Why not learn the basics of pattern cutting and design to create your own perfectly-fitted garments?
BY RUTH BROWN
For the lowdown on being a professional pattern designer, order a back issue of LS111 from
www.craftstash.co.uk today!
ABOUT RUTH BROWN
Ruth is a writer and designer who sews. Find out more at www.grinlowstudio.com
In our second instalment on pattern design, we look at how pattern-cutting skills can be used at home to create your own garments.
YOU CAN HACK IT
Pattern cutting requires a bedrock of sound sewing skills. Once you feel comfortable and familiar with the processes behind sewing garments, it can be hugely rewarding to take it to the next level by creating your own designs. As Sarah from Crafty Sew & So advises: “Start with the basics, deconstruct clothing, use a wide range of dressmaking patterns and learn everything you can about construction.”
A great stepping stone towards this goal is pattern hacking. Sometimes a pattern has some features you love and some you don’t so much. By altering various aspects of the pattern, you can turn it into something truly bespoke that perfectly caters for your needs. Having the original pattern as a guide to sizing and proportions is a brilliant way to introduce the manipulation required for pattern cutting without jumping off at the deep end.