Making Your Own Patterns

[Kehle]

I want to try to make my own rather than just sticking to the ones I can find, but I have no idea how to go about that. I can't even make alterations to current patterns to make them fit me better because I just don't understand the basics of it all.  Does anyone know any good sites or books that teach designers how to make their own patterns? All I can do currently is follow instructions on a bought pattern.

Thanks, mates. ?

[Lady L]

Yes, we discussed that in here before. I have several books about how to draft patterns, but I will have to look up the titles again, if you can't find the info *somewhere* in these threads. 

[Kate XXXXXX]

For basic pattern drafting, there is nothing to beat Winifred Aldrich.  Look her up on Amazon.

[gem]

Renaissance Tailor has a tutorial on basic pattern drafting, which is especially useful since it's specifically addressing period garments.

I started my pattern drafting adventures by copying extant garments (bodices, etc) in my wardrobe.

For alterations, an often-recommended book is Palmer/Pletsch's Fit for Real People, but it won't address the unique fit of historical garments.  I think your best bet there is to read a lot (dress diaries and sites like Renaissance Tailor, Festive Attyre, and the Elizabethan Costuming Pages; good books like Tudor Tailor; the fitting instructions in Margo Anderson's patterns; etc).

Good luck!

[Mythrin]

This site has some great tips with good photo tutorials about any number of things http://www.threadsmagazine.com/

[Lady L]

The other books mentioned may be fine, but I don't have them. I found these two books very helpful.

"Make Your Own Patterns- An easy step by step quide to making over 60 dressmaking patterns" by Rene' Bergh

"The Medieval Tailor's Assistant- making common garments 1200-1500" by Sarah Thursfield

[Kehle]

Thank you everyone for your advice, as always you're a wellspring of information for my newbie sewing needs. I love how helpful this community is with each other, I love you all. ?

[Cilean]

I would suggest that if you don't have the skills you will need to gain them first.  Most people will learn with fitting first from making the patterns currently on the market, as they learn how to fit them to their and others body.  We are lucky now to have many new and better patterns, draping is easier for some and you can get books as others have suggested.

People learn different ways, some are visual and looking via a book, others are hands on, you have to know how you learn in order to make use of the differing methods.  
Here are my favorite Books about draping;

Draping for Fashion Design by Hilde Jaffe

Patternmaking for Fashion Design and DVD Package, by Helen Joseph Armstrong

Fabric, Form and Flat Pattern Cutting By Winifred Aldrich


You can sometimes find at Community College or if you are near one a Designer College that you can take a course, also check and see if you have a local costuming guild type place as well, they will have draping classes, and of course look for private sewing people they too might have this information on draping.  Check out your local SCA type place because they will have used the draping techniques and can help you with this.  Places like Costume College do have draping classes to learn how to create a block and then how to continue to fit said block until you have made a sloper/toile/mock up.

Here is Renaissance Tailor's Information on Pattern Draping:
http://www.renaissancetailor.com/demos_patterndraft.htm

Here is one from basic draping:
http://www.techexchange.com/thelibrary/makecut.html



Cilean