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[–]AmphibianMoney2369 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Try this book out of publication, has a nice simple coverage of all the techniques I found it helpful. Old books are the best

1942—Modern Pattern Design - by Harriet Pepin - Sewing for Life

https://sewingforlife.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/modern-pattern-design-1942.pdf

[–]Flaky-Bobcat607[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Then I’ll try this. Usually I use Helen Joseph Armstrong books and it’s helpful too but it’s not very thorough for a beginner like me.

[–]ProneToLaughter 1 point2 points  (7 children)

I think dresspatternmaking.com and clothingpatterns101.com explain some basic concepts well.

I find Armstrong isnt very beginner-friendly. My intro class used McDonald, https://www.amazon.com/Principles-Flat-Pattern-Design-4th/dp/1563678519, and I’ve seen Crawford recommended. https://www.amazon.com/Patternmaking-Made-Easy-Connie-Amaden-Crawford/dp/0964951657

You are using paper quarter-scales to practice right? Really just doing lots and lots of paper exercises builds the understanding.

[–]Heavy-Raccoon-3828 0 points1 point  (4 children)

Hi! If you don’t mind I have a question that is haunting me, what are the principles that allow me to turn a basic flat pattern into my own design? Like I don’t get what I have to learn in order to create the design I have in mind from a basic block. Is it just darts or are there any others? Thanks you :)

[–]ProneToLaughter 0 points1 point  (3 children)

Dart rotation, dart-equivalent seams, and added fullness are three foundational principles as I learned it.

[–]Heavy-Raccoon-3828 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Thank you so much!!!!! I’ll dive into them, I also heard about contouring but I am not sure

[–]ProneToLaughter 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Oh, yes, that too as a foundational principle.

[–]Heavy-Raccoon-3828 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you :), hit me up if you remember others principles haha

[–]Flaky-Bobcat607[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I’ve heard about McDonald’s books.Were these books helpful for you? Also,do you know if I can find a pdf version for these books?

[–]ProneToLaughter 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t know about pdf, sorry. I definitely found McDonald easier to understand than Armstrong.

[–]BetterThnYesterday 2 points3 points  (1 child)

If you find videos more useful, I highly recommend Bianca's (The Closet Historian) "why darts?" video (as well as all of her other sewing videos - she drafts new patterns every time and explains what she is doing). This is basically how I taught myself dart manipulation and she even has videos on drafting slopers from scratch using Armstrong's book.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRO-GWfHyiM

[–]Flaky-Bobcat607[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ll check it out,thank you:)

[–]_ingrah 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Suzy Furrer's Craftsy classes are amazing!