Pattern making

A variety of processes go into the creation of a garment. The most crucial factor in determining whether a garment is accepted or rejected is its fit. To accept body bulges in a flattering manner, the fit must be integrated into the original pattern through subtleties in the pattern that supply fullness unobtrusively at appropriate areas. A good personalized fit requires pattern drawing that takes into account the unique shapes and proportions of the individual customer. Standardized patterns were critical to the development of ready-to-wear apparel at the start of the Industrial Revolution.

Making patterns is a skill. It is the technique of manipulating and molding a flat piece of fabric to fit one or more human body contours. Pattern creation serves as a link between design and production. A pattern, which translates the design in the form of garment components, can turn a sketch into a garment.

While the design is flat, the body is not. The human body has three dimensions: height, width, and depth. There are a series of secondary curves and bulges within this roughly cylindrical framework that the pattern maker is concerned about. All pattern making starts with darts. They turn a flat piece of cloth into a three-dimensional shape that suits the body’s bulges.

A patternmaker usually creates a pattern from a two-dimensional fashion image or a flat sketch with measurements. Pattern making, fit, and design are all built on the foundation of the fundamental pattern. For flat pattern design, the fundamental pattern is the beginning point. It’s a straightforward pattern that fits the body with just the right amount of slack for movement and comfort.

Methods of pattern making

Pattern making involves three methods-

Drafting

It entails measurements taken on a person, dress, or body form using sizing systems or precise measurements taken on a person, dress, or body form. To finish the pattern, measurements for the chest, waist, hips and other areas are marked on paper, along with easy allowances and construction lines. Drafting is a technique for creating fundamental, foundational, or design patterns.

Draping

A three-dimensional fabric pattern is created by draping a two-dimensional piece of cloth around a form and adhering to its shape. This muslin is copied onto paper and used as a final pattern (Armstrong). To make the clothing more pleasant to wear, movement allowances have been introduced. Draping has the advantage of allowing the designer to examine the overall design effect of the finished garment on the body form before cutting and sewing the garment component. It is, nevertheless, more expensive and more consuming than producing a flat pattern.

Flat paper patternmaking

It entails creating a fitting fundamental pattern that is comfortable and easy to fit a person or body form. For flat pattern design, a sloper is the starting point. It’s a straightforward pattern that fits the body with just the right amount of wiggle room for movement and comfort. For women’s clothes, five fundamental pattern elements are used. A fitted bodice front and back with darts, a basic neckline, a sleeve, and a fitted skirt front and back with darts are among the features. Women’s styles, on the other hand, vary constantly as fashion does. Fashions are created by manipulating these basic slopers.