Pattern making refers to the art of manipulating a design on a piece of fabric so that a person’s figure is incorporated. The ultimate goal of pattern making is to attain a customized or perfect fit. Pattern-making technology creates a two- dimensional with regards to the garment which is being designed. For the entire garment, pattern making is the foundation as it guides where the fabric should be cut so that it conforms to the figure of the customer.

JD Institute is here with a step-by-step process of the technique of pattern making. There are various types of pattern making in clothing or pattern making processes such as block pattern printing and computer pattern printing but the most common method among them is flat pattern making which can be obtained in five easy steps:

Gather Your Tools

In any pattern maker’s arsenal, there are some select tools that you will find. However, with time, pattern makers have included different tools in the drafting process:

• Pencils and Erasers: While drafting a pattern the first two things that you will need are a pencil and erasers. You might find yourself referring to your original designs at the time of drafting for the first time. This being the reason, even experienced pattern makers avoid using pen or markers
• Patterning Paper: Patterning paper is graded paper which is different from ordinary sketching paper. The paper is graded or marked so that length, inches, or sizes are revealed. It helps the designers to save time.
• Flexible Rulers: Flexible rulers reflect more versatility than straight rulers as they can be bent in different shapes or various angles so that contours can be measured. An ideal flexible ruler is around 65 inches or longer.
• Hip and Arm Styling Curve: Hip and arm styling curve refers to a rigid and curved ruler which is designed to trace out or measure curves and angles after the pattern has been sketched out with straight lines for increased definition
• Two Straight, Clear, and Gridded Rulers: These rulers come in handy in the situation where length, width, or height on your designs are measured. Mostly two of them are required, one whose length is around 6-8 inches while the other should be around 13-15 inches long. For precise measurements, the shorter scale is appropriate however while measuring larger dimensions, a larger-scale comes in handy.

Careful Body Measurements

Patterns are either designed according to specific requirements or in standard sizes. Accurate measurements are required by the pattern makers or designers to get the perfect fit. In flat pattern making, body measurement required are: height, waist, bust, waist, arm, rise, in-seam

Adding Styles and Designs

The original pattern draft is created parallel to the body measurement or style of the customer. Including various styles in your design will make it unique or different from the generic designs making it a fashion statement. For example- flared sleeves etc. these styles are included on top of the original sketch by the pattern designers. However, the fit of the garment and how flattering it looks should be taken into consideration

Grading Your Design

Basic paper patterns are readjusted into different sizes using the same pattern by a process known as grading. In customer markets or emergency situations in which sizes have to be readjusted quickly, paper grading acts as the most efficient method by minimizing or maximizing one drafted template. Patterning papers are often graded. You can just as easily trace the original design on another piece of patterning paper for adjusting the dimensions of the original design for other sizes

Moving on to Draping

After the pattern is drafted on a piece of paper, two-dimensional images should be converted into a three-dimensional one so that final changes can be made and to have an estimate as to how it will look on a body as compared to a flat surface. This is the situation when draping comes into play.

After the pattern has been made it should be traced out on a piece of fabric and should be attached with the help of needles. Draping reflects the styling of a customer with the cut-out fabric based on the drafted design.

A pattern maker will have to follow these five simple steps to create a simple pattern. Pattern making has numerous benefits such as time-efficiency, customization, and reusability. For fast fashion markets and customized designs, patterns prove to be very useful. Irrespective of the fact if you are a mass-market clothing industry or self-employed seamstress, pattern making should be incorporated to start your success. 

If you are someone who is interested in art and design, JD Institute Of Fashion Technology is the right choice as it is one of the oldest premium institutes of art and design providing industry based courses to make their students ready for the real world. The students are selected through GAT or general aptitude test to review the creative skills of the students. The right opportunity is waiting for you, enroll now!