Patternmaking is an essential part of the garment manufacturing process.  In sewing and fashion design, a pattern is the template from which the parts of a garment are traced onto fabric before being cut out and assembled. Patterns can be made of sturdy materials like paperboard or cardboard if they need to be more robust to withstand repeated use

If you are a newbie starting out in the field of fashion, here are some tips for you:

Do Your Research on Garment Patterns

The first thing to do when learning the art of patternmaking is to look at the works of other designers. This gives you ideas about how to approach the field.

From how individual pieces of the garment are shaped to how the curve flows through the body, you will learn a lot by studying the works of other fashion designers. Also, make sure you educate yourself on the current trends as fashion design is a dynamic and constantly-changing world.   

Have the Relevant Tools

After you have studied other designers’ work, it’s time to get started and create something of your own. For this, you will need tools. Here are some essentials that you must have when undertaking a patternmaking project:

· Ruler

· Scissors

· Rotary Cutter

· Marker

· Pencil

· French curve

Read Books about Pattern Making

From Patternmaking for Fashion Design by Helen Joseph Armstrong to Basic Pattern Skills for Fashion Design by Bernard Zamkoff, there are many helpful books on patternmaking.

Buy one or a few of them and thoroughly study them. From DIY guides to tips, these books will help you a great deal in mastering the art of garment patternmaking.

Practice

Whether it is driving or learning to speak French, skills require lots of practice. After you have learned the basics of patternmaking, it’s time to try it yourself. You might meet obstacles, but eventually, if you work hard enough, you will be able to develop a characteristic style. One useful resource is Lutterloh System.

Learn from Professionals

Finally, to become better at patternmaking, you can enroll in a patternmaking class. This will not only allow you to learn from professionals, but will also give you a chance to meet like-minded people. Some institutes offer patternmaking courses. Moreover, you can also enroll in adult continuing education courses.

As you keep designing, you can share your work with other people and ask for their feedback. This will help you improve.

Lefty Production Co. is a clothing manufacturing LAcompany. From patternmaking to garment sewing, we provide comprehensive services to fashion brands.