Designing Clothes with the Flat Pattern Method

by Sara Alm

Learn how to customize your clothes--designing new pattern shapes, style lines, and fashion details with Sara Alm's easy-to-follow instruction! In Sara Alm's Designing Clothes with the Flat Pattern Method , sewers learn a technique that opens up myriad possibilities for making one-of-a-kind garments. By using basic pattern blocks called slopers, Alm shows sewers how to design new shapes, style lines, and fashion details--creating patterns for nearly any piece of clothing they want to sew. Take a basic straight skirt pattern, for example, and convert it into any other skirt design. Change the hemline or the basic shape of a skirt from straight to A-line to full swing with multiple gores. Try adjusting the waistline placement or convert it from waistband to waistline-facing. Change the style and placement of the closures. The options are endless once sewers understand the basics of flat-pattern designing, which is explained in the book. Designing Clothes with the Flat Pattern Method is divided into skirts, tops, and pants. While many of the same principles apply to each garment type, there are different techniques to take into account. As soon as sewers know how to design from these three slopers, that knowledge is easily transferred to designing dresses, shorts, jumpsuits, and outerwear. The principles and techniques taught are also easily transferable to designing children's clothes. By following extensive technique instruction in each of the three categories, twelve different garments are designed from each basic sloper and photographed on models so readers fully understand the process and the end result. Thanks to Designing Clothes with the Flat Pattern Method , passionate sewers will be as skilled as Project Runway contestants in no time!

Genres: Sewing, Nonfiction, Fashion, Crafts

178 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2017

Reviews

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am new to sewing and found this book while poking around on netgalley. I have made a few garments and am eager to expand my knowledge base, so I requested the book and was delighted to receive a copy in exchange for an honest review.

And, honestly, I liked it. But, I have to knock off two stars because I was using a digital copy that had formatting issues - the pictures did not line up with with the text or didn't open at all. Since a lot of other reviews seem to indicate it is beautifully illustrated and that the illustrations are key to following the directions, I will be ordering a paper version of this book and look forward to reading it with the illustrations.

That, being said, the information seems to be easy enough to follow and there are great tips and suggestions throughout the book. I was particularly delighted to find advice and tips on perfecting the fit in the shoulders and armscye - always a trouble area for me!

[Bonnye Reed]

Netgalley
pub date May 15, 2017
rec June 19, 2017
Creative Publishing International
PDF!

[Tracy Shephard · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a self taught dressmaker, books such as these are an invaluable source of information..

The commercial pattern is one that has been used for decades, and very often with disappointing results concerning fitting.

What this book does is show you how to step up your sewing by giving a master class in shaping, fitting and personalising your pattern for a more bespoke garment.

Every garment is given the Sara Alm treatment. Dresses, trousers and skirt are made and adapted so they fit well and look good.

No pattern is included with this book, but with perfect instructions we are shown how to make a basic pattern, and this can then be adapted, with sleeve, cuff neckline and darts adjustments to make a garment that you can actually wear.

This is a beautiful book. It is photographed and set out extremely well, it is also easy to understand and although you do need a knowledge of sewing and dressmaking, I do think that everyone will learn and improve their dressmaking skills. 

[Liefie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to follow, with ample clear illustrations and step-by-step instructions. Written in clear, plain language, which I - as an amateur home sewer - found easy to understand.

I've been trying to learn about pattern making for a while now, mostly via online written and video tutorials, as I have found most pattern making books to be aimed at someone formally studying clothing design.

Nowhere have I found anything that I could use so easily to get me on the way to sewing well fitting garments.

I would definitely recommend this to a friend and will be purchashing a hard copy!

ARC received via netgalley. This is an honest review.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book seems to me, a person who wants to start sewing for the first time and be able to hold a needle and successfully be able to sew a proper dress, is a wrong book. It is not a beginner's book but it did show some crazy tips in between the lines that may be good if applied. And it did show the tools and measurements that I really liked. The close up images were perfect for looking at that. White cloth choice was a good choice to see measurements, cutting lines, and shape or outcome the dress. All in all I would pick it up again to get a dress made up but I'll be in need of basic knowledge of sewing first.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. Thank you!!

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am extremely impresses with this book, I have done a fair bit of dressmaking in my time and even tried drafting my own patterns, but have never been satisfied with the results.
This book is a very well explained method of altering your shell pattern to make clothing that you can design. The method is fairly simply and the results are very professional, I don't think I will need to buy a pattern again, as not only does explain the method but gives confidence to mix and match the alterations to great results

[Melinda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Designing Clothes with the Flat Pattern Method: Customize Fitting Shells to Create Garments in Any Style by Sara Alm was an informative read. It explains how to make a flat pattern. It is not for the very beginner as you need to have some knowledge to understand. It is an excellent with photos to show you how. It show the tools and measurements . It does lain in terms that help. It is well written. It is an useful book especially if designing clothes is your future or needed to be done because of economics.

I received a copy thru a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Amary Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been sewing for years and have altered a few patterns, and the explanations and suggestions in this book take out some of the guesswork. I would recommend it for anyone who needs to make adjustments to a pattern...and isn't that just about everyone?
I requested and received an ARC from Netgalley to read and review.

[Josephine (Taylor’s Version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book- Design me by soyartexo on Wattpad

[Lynn P · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a dressmaker for over 40 years and was intrigued by this book as years ago I did make garments cut from other garments - hence flat pattern. However, this is not what this book is about really. The book shows you how to make a pattern from which you will make a muslin or shell as the author calls it. You will then use this as the basis for your other makes.

There is no basic pattern included, you must draw your own, either from scratch or an existing pattern you own. You can see this is not really a book for a beginner as you will need to have some understanding of how patterns work first.

Personally I have done this method without the need to make an actual paper pattern and am confident with adjusting patterns so found the book is maybe not for me. If you do purchase the book you will find it very comprehensive and all aspects of pattern making are covered.

I must say that it is a beautifully photographed book and I love the clean and simple layout of the pages. It is a lovely book to just flick through and be inspired.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in exchanges for a honest review from Netgalley.

This book is beautifully laid out and has some great images, a really interesting book for anyone interesting in alternative pattern making!

[JustHB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I bought a sewing machine last year. I love making clothes for myself and making sure they fit perfectly. I love that I'll be able to adapt my patterns and move on to making my own from scratch. This would make an ideal present to inspiring designers, although I keep my own clothes somewhat more tame.