This easy to understand text provides illustrated lessons that demonstrate the various patternmaking methods and how they are used to develop design variations. Each of the Second Edition s four units address one major segment of a garment the bodice, the collar, the skirt, and the sleeve with a series of pictorial examples that progress from the most basic dart manipulations to advanced design variations. Students will master the slash and pivot methods of flat pattern design and understand how garment design variations are derived from each other. Simple illustrations demystify the patternmaking process for the beginner student, showing how a few basic techniques can lead to endless design possibilities.
A friend of mine who went to fashion school gave this to me. I learned patterning for theatrical costuming which emphasized traditional couture methods. This book is designed for fashion industry designers and patternmakers - and bases patterns on industry formulas rather than on the measurements of real bodies. Still, I refreshed my skills reading this book and learned several tricks on taking basic patterns and altering their design. While I would not trust their measurements to fit an actual person, these methods will help you develop a mock-up that can be fit and altered from there. There are lots of typos in the beginning of the book, and each chapter is headed by a cheesy fashion pun, but of overall, this text was useful.
This slim volume covers designing patterns from a 2 dart sloper, as well as skirts, collars, and sleeves. It has no info at all on making pants or slacks patterns, and very little on dresses. The edition I read is from 1987 and so all the example deigns are very dated. If you want to buy a pattern-making book, choose another, that covers all clothing options.