Intro to Pattern Cutting - Week One

Hello there my lovely readers! I have been having some adventures this week...

Yesterday I had my first lesson of "Intro to Pattern Cutting" at the fabulous Sew Over It in Clapham. I have been wanting to learn how to make my own patterns for a long time, and I've struggled to understand how it all works from instructions in books, so I thought I'd treat myself to some proper lessons. I'm so glad I did!

I loved learning new things at school, and this course was just like the best parts of a school lesson, but even better because we also had tea and cake (apple and sultana cake to be exact, yum!). During four three hours sessions, spread over four weeks, we are going to learn how to draft a basic skirt and bodice block to our own measurements, and also talk about how we can adapt and manipulate these patterns to make a whole myriad of different designs. It's pretty exciting stuff! I was also thrilled to find that our instructor was none other than Zoe of So Zo, What Do You Know? so I knew we were in the best possible hands! Plus we had a lovely chat about Me Made May :) 

During this first class we focused on our skirt patterns, drafting our front and back pattern pieces using our measurements, some calculations, a patternmaster and some pattern paper. It was incredibly satisfying, I loved every minute! After drafting our master pattern we traced off the individual pattern pieces separately and added seam allowances and pattern markings. I can't tell you how interesting I found this whole process and how much I learnt about all dress patterns in general! For example the notches on this skirt are created from the placement of the hip line marked when you first start drafting. Every single mark on a pattern is there for a reason :)

The pattern we have drafted is a simple knee length pencil skirt with two darts in the back and one in the front. Next week we will be discussing different ways in which we can alter this simple pattern to produce different kinds of skirts. Before next week I need to make a toile of my personal skirt pattern in calico. I'm very excited to see how it looks as it is the first pattern I have ever drafted!

Watch this space for more pattern drafting adventures very soon!

Katie xxx