Where to Learn Sewing Pattern Drafting

There are people who love to wear customized clothes which will also have the touch of a designer. This kind of a dress is a dream for every woman. Sometimes it might not be possible for everyone to purchase the designer clothes from the stores due to various reasons.

One of the major reasons can be the price. There are people who might not be able to afford the high prices of the designer clothes. So what is the way out for them?

The best way to get clothes that you would love to wear is by sewing it yourself. If you have an interest in sewing then you can surely get the proper sewing patterns for yourself. These patterns are easily available in the market these days.

Other than this, you will also get the pattern making DVD which can help you learn how to create the wonderful patterns. You just need to choose the kind of garment that you love to wear. Before you start sewing you must have a clear idea about the designs.

If you want to sew perfect patterns then you can even join the pattern making classes where they teach how to make wonderful patterns. Other than the pattern making DVD you will also get the catalogues of pattern in the books available in the shops as well as on the internet.

You need to learn about the various designs which are required for the cuts, color patterns and the style. Sewing will also help you take out the creativity present inside you. Do you know that you can even take up sewing as a career?

But most of the women, who practice sewing, do it for fun. You can even choose a good template to start sewing. If you have an idea about the kind of patterns that are popular you can start with your own design.

You can either do the pattern manually or can even digitally with the help of the computer. You can even attend the pattern making seminar where they discuss a lot about the sewing pattern. You will learn a lot of details about pattern drafting.

In the beginning you might find it a bit difficult, but practice will make you perfect. One of the major areas where people usually go wrong is calculation. If you are making the pattern manually, the calculations might go wrong. If something goes wrong it means a waste of money as well as time.

But if you are making the pattern digitally then the calculations are being made by the computer and hence there are no chances of going wrong. The pattern making DVD is one of the best choices for learning the pattern because you can see live action.

Other than this, if you purchase a DVD you can check the patterns whenever necessary. You can also get the pattern making system for better results in sewing designer clothes. Always make sure that you learn how to make patterns that fit perfectly.

Scandalli Accordion

Clothing: Drafting the Pattern for the Hood

This article is about the hood i.e. some notes on its pattern creation as well as the sewing of the hood.

What is important is the measurement of the neck line of circumference of the garment. You are sewing the hood to the garment and this makes sense. Thus the first measurement is the neck circumference of the garment and divide this figure by two.
Create then a rectangle with this measurement as the width multiplied by the measurement from the base of the neck to the crown of the head as the length. You can add 2-3 cm to the width measurement. This is the measurement you want the hood to extend beyond the eyes. Curve the back appropriately.

This latter pattern is not exact. Another more exact method is to place the back neck line of the pattern against the front and mark off the neck line. In this way, you have the exact neck line of the garment. Thus when you create the pattern, you have the exact line at the neck; the exact curve leading up the back of the head.

From the neck point at the center front, measure up the distance from the gorge of the neck to the head crown. An important point to note is the eye line point which should be marked off on this 'length' line. Note then the actual distance from the throat to this eye line mark. Note this mark and call it X. From X, measure to the left, the amount that the hood extends beyond the eyes and then to the right, the distance to the back of the head. Mark this point and gently curve this latter point into the neck area that you have marked off previously.

Curve the line joining the back of the hood and the top of the head. A radius of 6-8cm is suitable but it is a style choice. You can see at the front the throat must curve upwards to actual face level. Create a suitable curving line from the throat/gorge point to the eye level area and then curve inwards to the top again.

Remember how the hood works- it covers the face ; it is a function of the height from throat to the top of the head. It is also a 3d shape extending from the back of head to the front over the forehead and almost beyond the eyes. The line at the back of head is a style line but should be circular with a radius of approx 6- 8cm. Remember too the center seam at the top of head down to the center back. Note also the curving at the front on the hood pattern from the throat/gorge outwards to the face and eye levels and then upwards to the head top.

What is created now is half the overall pattern for the hood. Add appropriate seam allowance for the neck area and other seams. Seam allowance for neck is smaller than other seam allowances. Create 4 patterns, two halves for the hood shell and two halves for the lining. Thus cut out two of these patterns and two more then for the lining.

With right sides together, sew the hood shell pieces together. Then sew the lining pieces together right side to right side. Snip into the seam allowance at the curves at regular intervals. The reason for this is that it reduces stress and takes away the tightness in the seam at these points. This gives strength and durability to the hood.
Then with right sides together, sew the lining and hood together. Remember to turn the seam allowance of the lining inwards before sewing. Then the final stage is to sew the hood to the neck of the bodice piece.

Scandalli Accordion