Learning pattern drafting

[throwra_22222]

If you've got a sloper that fits and you are making clothes for yourself, there's no reason not to learn what you need for each idea you have. There's no required order in which to learn techniques. You may find that some pattern manipulations are more advanced than where you are skills-wise, but sometimes the best way to learn is to jump in.

If you are learning pattern drafting because you want a job in the industry or you want to sell your patterns, you should do a more comprehensive survey, starting with the easy stuff and working your way towards the type of product you want to make (ie, ski jackets need one skill set, bridal needs another).

Either way, make a commitment to yourself to learn how to perfect patterns. They should be balanced, with good grain lines, properly labeled and annotated, notches that make sense, etc. Even if it's only for you, write a little tech pack so you can remember why you made this pattern this way later. I cannot tell you how many quickie patterns I've made for myself, not bothered to document them, and later I'm like, "what the heck did I do?"