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Make Your Own Dress Patterns: With over 1,000 how-to illustrations: A Primer in Patternmaking for Those Who Like to Sew
"Anyone who can work through the labyrinthian directions for sewing that accompany the commercial pattern can surely learn the comparatively simple and clear rules for pattern making," says nationally acclaimed sewing expert Adele Margolis.
Her profusely illustrated primer allows you to create your own fashionable patterns and personalized commercial patterns. You'll learn how to design and execute everything from skirts, dresses, and blouses to sportswear, jackets, and children's clothing.
You'll also find tips shaping fabric to your figure; mastering the art of flares, flounces, pleats, and tucks; creating fashionable necklines, pretty pockets, stylish sleeves, and much more.
Simple step-by-step directions and more than 1,000 illustrations show how to successfully complete apparel for work, home, and play that reflects your personal style and taste.
Her profusely illustrated primer allows you to create your own fashionable patterns and personalized commercial patterns. You'll learn how to design and execute everything from skirts, dresses, and blouses to sportswear, jackets, and children's clothing.
You'll also find tips shaping fabric to your figure; mastering the art of flares, flounces, pleats, and tucks; creating fashionable necklines, pretty pockets, stylish sleeves, and much more.
Simple step-by-step directions and more than 1,000 illustrations show how to successfully complete apparel for work, home, and play that reflects your personal style and taste.
480 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1985
83 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 1, 2020
Does what it says on the tin
This is actually all about how to work with a basic flat 2D shape on paper and turn it into a paper pattern.
The author suggests cutting out a mini pattern piece provided (block) eg bodice to change into different shapes, based on some principles which start basic and get more complicated through the book. It shows examples like placing and moving darts with exercises to cut and tape your paper block in various ways to create different 3D shapes all with the aim of the result being a 2D shape to make a final pattern from.
Although the chapter for example, moving a dart, is pretty basic, she builds on this logically until the darts are really advanced design features appropriate for an haute couture catwalk. This seems to happen in every section. Must say though, that the fashion illustration examples are very 1980's.
It is not about fit and sizing a pattern to fit a person, although some of the techniques are interchangeable.
It wasn't quite what I was looking for but is actually really good information about how patterns work, how they are constructed and how to change them and make your own. I would imagine if I sat down and followed the book and did all the examples it would be like doing a semester at fashion school.
This is actually all about how to work with a basic flat 2D shape on paper and turn it into a paper pattern.
The author suggests cutting out a mini pattern piece provided (block) eg bodice to change into different shapes, based on some principles which start basic and get more complicated through the book. It shows examples like placing and moving darts with exercises to cut and tape your paper block in various ways to create different 3D shapes all with the aim of the result being a 2D shape to make a final pattern from.
Although the chapter for example, moving a dart, is pretty basic, she builds on this logically until the darts are really advanced design features appropriate for an haute couture catwalk. This seems to happen in every section. Must say though, that the fashion illustration examples are very 1980's.
It is not about fit and sizing a pattern to fit a person, although some of the techniques are interchangeable.
It wasn't quite what I was looking for but is actually really good information about how patterns work, how they are constructed and how to change them and make your own. I would imagine if I sat down and followed the book and did all the examples it would be like doing a semester at fashion school.
November 19, 2020
This book has an extensive collection of pattern adaptations (or hacks if you prefer).
It gives 1/4 size basic slopers for you to work through the book and practice things like dart manipulation, seam line changes etc. This is how I was taught traditional pattern-making and it saves a lot of paper when experimenting with ideas.
The disappointing aspect of this book it there are no instructions for developing your own full size slopers to your own measurements. This seems to me a major oversight and makes this book so much less useful then it could otherwise have been.
It gives 1/4 size basic slopers for you to work through the book and practice things like dart manipulation, seam line changes etc. This is how I was taught traditional pattern-making and it saves a lot of paper when experimenting with ideas.
The disappointing aspect of this book it there are no instructions for developing your own full size slopers to your own measurements. This seems to me a major oversight and makes this book so much less useful then it could otherwise have been.
December 26, 2014
As creative and crafty as I can be, I can always use pattern making tips and techniques.
Though some of the styles are dated, all the basics are covered and 80's are now retro!
Simple enough to adjust.
Great resource.
Though some of the styles are dated, all the basics are covered and 80's are now retro!
Simple enough to adjust.
Great resource.
April 1, 2009
The book has some useful ideas, and the techniques taught are classic seamstress methods that I'd like to learn. While it says "published in 2006," it's actually a unedited reprint from 1985, so quite a few of the examples and styling suggestions are dated. I'd love to find a modern text covering the same material.
September 12, 2011
Very informative.
**mental note ... not ready to go there yet.
**mental note ... not ready to go there yet.
March 24, 2018
okay, nothing fancy. read from the library
April 25, 2019
This one is good I'm sure but it is way over my head since I am was a beginner but now I consider myself an intermediate at sewing. I will read it again once I have more experience under my belt.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews