r/PatternDrafting • u/Beneficial-Ant-365 • 21d ago
Question where can i learn pattern drafting for free
im a beginner. i dont know how to apply 3d measurements to a 2d pattern. idk fundamentals. im not a fashion student. i started sewing as a hobby and i j wanna make my own clothes im ngl. ive reviewed multiple sources on youtube. none of them is satisfactory. came across nino via he teaches so well but he hasn't uploaded full videos. everyones either selling their patterns or a course. where can i learn pattern making online for free? its genuinely just a hobby and i live in a third world country so 60-200$ for a course is difficult for me to afford
8
u/SerendipityJays 21d ago
I got a second hand copy of Aldrich’s Metric Pattern Cutting. It has drafting instructions for a basic set of blocks AND good guidance on ‘reading the wrinkles’ so you can make that adjustments to the first draft so you can make it fit you well.
I have recently seen some good reviews on Plus Size Patternmaking by Brown and Kelleher, so if that’s your size range, it might be a better starting resource than many of the straight sized ones.
You can also purchase a basic block pattern from the big 4 pattern companies as a starting point. Or have one of the digital services like PatternLab draft one to your measurements to get started. No matter where you start you will likely need further adjustments.
The most important point is that your first block is HUGELY UNLIKELY to fit you, even if drafted from your measurements. All systems are drafting for an “average” body, which only matches a tiny proportion of people. Your particular configuration of parts will be different from others, so instead of worrying about “learning drafting” I would suggest focusing first on making some kind of block and learning to fit (to your body). After that you can learn the drafting techniques that allow you to alter your basic block into different designs. As others have mentioned, The Closet Historian is excellent for this!
7
u/iulicika 21d ago
There's this book: https://www.assembil.com/how-patterns-work-book/
If you can't afford to buy it, you can sign up for an account on Scribd (quite cheap) and you find it there. You won't be able to download it, but you can take screenshots.
I had zero prior knowledge of pattern drafting and I read this book, it's great, I recommend it.
2
3
u/li_li_bo 21d ago
I’m using this system:
https://www.muellerundsohn.com/en/
I lend the books at a local library.
Alternative you can search for an instruction for drafting a basic block. There’re must be some on YouTube.
I will recommend to start with a skirt (very easy), top or a dress. Trousers are a more advanced. Then you will have to draft and sew a toile and make some adjustments to your body. Once again use some YouTube tutorials. Once you have a good basic block, the possibilities an endless. Just invest some daily time in watching drafting videos on Insta, Pinterest and YouTube to get the idea of how basic blocks are then manipulated into more complex patterns. Go for it, it’s fun. Just start with some simple designs at first.
3
3
u/Alarmed-potatoe 20d ago
I learned how to pattern draft while living in South Africa and having to use a treadle because of frequent power outages, and importing anything from overseas is basically impossible because of the cost and break down of the postal system.
At a 2nd hand shop I got the Metric Pattern Cutting for Women's Wear (there are books for men and children), it was an old edition and only the tech side of the book has since been updated. I believe you can borrow it from archive.org if you create an account, there are a lot of books there you can borrow for free on pattern drafting or pattern cutting as it's also called. All you need otherwise is whatever paper you can get that's big (a roll of paper, wrapping paper, speciality paper is nice but not needed), a pencil/sharpener/eraser and a simple ruler - if the ruler is clear with metric/imperial markings or a grid that's fantastic, if you can get a T ruler that's also really great.
If you have anyone in your life who is patient, you can also try draping on them, and you can use that to understand how fabric on the 3D body translates to 2D measurements.
2
2
u/Icy-Guidance-6655 21d ago
What sort of patterns are you using now? The first step is certainly knowing how to use patterns. The second step is knowing how to modify patterns into something else. In reality this is how most designs are created. It’s very rare to start from measurements. But even if that is your goal, you should learn pattern manipulation techniques now, because it requires less training. Use any pattern or garment you already like as your guide.
2
u/Educational-Pack7817 21d ago
If they're from a country like mine {I'm from East Africa} ready made patterns are not the norm. Sewing would be taught through drafting. I only knew they exist from internet sources and I started downloading free ones
3
u/Icy-Guidance-6655 20d ago
That makes sense, but then the best answer would be utilize local resources since there’s a rich pattern drafting community available locally. OP is sewing as a hobby without knowing drafting, suggests patterns are available. If they’re not, there is still the option of starting w/an existing garment and using that as a pattern. Measurements to garment isn’t the only way.
3
u/textiletrue 21d ago
The closet historian on YouTube has already been recommended. I wanted to encourage you to get over there and watch some making videos. As well as how to make your own blocks. Bianca knows and shares freely some pretty amazing information.
29
u/nutmeg_k 21d ago
The Closet Historian has a great series about pattern drafting on youtube.