Building Patterns: Ultimate Guide to Designing Clothing Patterns

by Suzy Furrer

If you've watched Project Runway or Making the Cut and wondered how the competitors instinctively know how to create such a diverse array of garments - it's because they learned the art of pattern making. Ultimate Guide to Designing Patterns for Clothing is an illustrative master class in the art of garment pattern making for aspiring fashion designers, fashion design students, and sewing and fabric enthusiasts.  Lifelong designer and patternmaker Suzy Furrer has distilled her 35+ years of fashion pattern experience into this definitive resource for expert pattern making instruction.  The book includes 11 chapters, each meticulously explaining a fundamental element of the pattern making process.  Each element is fully explored with diagrams and illustrations making it ideal for visual learners.  Furrer begins with an introduction to pattern making – explaining what is required for building a proper patternmaking tool kit and terminology used throughout the book before guiding the budding pattern maker through the 11 instructional chapters. 

574 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 9, 2025

Reviews

[Crystal Bearden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is HARDCORE. As a beginning sewist, I found it intimidating, but I can absolutely see that it will be a valuable reference as I skill up. Each section has objectives at the beginning and a self-check exercise at the end, which is an excellent design for such an information-dense topic. The introductory chapter was geared to a more experienced sewist who might even be looking to start a design or tailoring business, so for a true beginner this is not the title I would recommend. It is very well-organized and has a wealth of diagrams as well as written instructions and explanations.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.

[Miranda Beystehner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Building Patterns is a comprehensive and practical guide to designing clothing patterns, ideal for anyone looking to take their sewing skills to the next level. At first glance, the wealth of information can feel overwhelming, but Suzy Furrer’s step-by-step approach makes the process approachable and clear.

The book is thoughtfully organized, featuring charts, measurement recording sheets, calculation worksheets, and practice scenarios to guide you through taking measurements, drafting moulages, and developing slopers. From there, it dives into more advanced design elements like sleeve variations, collars, necklines, and pockets, making it a well-rounded resource for pattern design.

As someone who typically relies on commercial patterns for garment construction, I have never ventured into drafting my own designs. After reading this guide, I feel confident in my ability to begin creating custom-fitted patterns from scratch.

I highly recommend this book to those who have a basic understanding of garment construction and terminology but would like to take it a step further. It is a valuable addition to any sewing library. I reviewed a digital ARC, but I plan to purchase a hard copy for future reference.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy.

[Carole at From My Carolina Home · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book begins with a chapter of pattern making tools and vocabulary. It then goes through details of making a pattern for a skirt, bodice and darts. It includes adjustment instructions for designing high waist vs low waist, adding pleats and linings, and more. The discussion of style and silhouette was very good and enlightening for those wanting to design from scratch as well as alter existing clothing or patterns for a different look. Details like collars, necklines and sleeves are all treated separately. Finally the author tackles pants and pockets. Each chapter contains exercises to enhance understanding, and clear illustrations. Extensive tips and advice are sprinkled throughout the chapters, with worksheets for the reader to add their own measurements. The book is well written with clear instructions for the reader to get a precise fit with a chosen design. If you’ve ever wanted to design your own clothes, this is an essential reference. This is a book more geared for the advanced sewist, although the beginner can learn quite a lot.

[Iz Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5/5*

I’ve always struggled wth pattern design, but I found this book easy to follow thanks to its clear step-by-step instructions. I truly liked that it contains a few questions to wrap up your understanding at the end of each chapter.

Thank you, Netgally and Fox Chapel Publishing (Landauer Publishing) for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my personal opinion.

Expected for Sept 16, 2025.

For more info and reviews, visit my blog on publishing week. You can also follow me on IG for more.

[LittleRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having lost so much weight I find myself with clothing that is way too big but I love the material. It’s not even a matter of just taking some of these things in. I’ve lost over 200 pounds. Using this book, I’m going to try and leverage the material to re-create some patterns from the old outfits. This book has been a great resource for me and I’m looking forward to reinventing some of my older, but most classic outfits.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suzy Furrer is a wealth of knowledge about pattern making and I knew as soon as I saw this title that I’d be in for a great learning experience. This is not a book to be read quickly in one sitting but I feel is the perfect companion for reading while experimenting with the techniques and tips described in each chapter. The illustrations are also well done and easy to understand and I am excited to apply what I learned through this book!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley.

[J R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Furrer’s Building Patterns is the best pattern making nuts-and-bolts book I have seen and I am a sewist and have pattern making books in addition to taking a full course on making slopers. The hints throughout add practical advice and supplement the very thorough instructions. I definitely recommend this book.

Thanks for NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing for an early copy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Tam Sesto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of information for anyone wanting to learn about pattern making. The book is divided into the following chapters: Patternmaking Tools and Language, Skirts, Moulage and Bodice Slopes, Dart Manipulation, Lines, Necklines, Collars, Sleeves, Pants, Pockets, and Garments. Each chapter has exercises at the end of it to be sure your understanding the information the author is giving you. Detailed pictures as well as instructions that were easy to understand make this a good tool for anyone wanting to start pattern making.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.