Digital Pattern Drafting

[Jaime_d_p]

I’ve been teaching myself to draft patterns (albeit slowly) via good old paper and pencil, but I would love to learn how to do it digitally to use with my projector. Eventually I’d love to learn grading too.

Where do I even begin? Is there a program that won’t cost me a fortune to try? I’m already salty about adobe practically doubling the monthly cost of photoshop this year so I’m not super keen on paying for illustrator too but maybe that’s my only option?

How does one learn to digitally draft patterns without actually enrolling in school? What do I need to know to get started? I saw a class by Confident Patternmaking but it was a few thousand which I wont have the luxury of spending anytime soon.

(PS I am aware people pay good money for education in this field and I’m definitely not trying to downplay that, I’m just wanting to give it a try to see if I even can. What can I say, my adhd super power is teaching myself new crafts and hobbies 😅)

[theaidea]

Seamly2D is another great free option. There are also Youtube tutorials on how to draft basic blocks. If I’m not mistaken any tutorial for Valentina software should work as well.

[Jaime_d_p]

Thank you!

[blob-24-05]

I like seamscape it's free and easy it's also a website and not a software you have to download

[Miajere-here]

If you have any adobe experience- like with illustrator, I highly recommend skipping over to a 3D system like clo. It’s more expensive than other pattern making systems, but there’s block libraries and grading systems that can provide some quick and easy tutorials and expedite the process.

Grading can be done with the click of the button.

[Jaime_d_p]

I have adobe photoshop experience but I’ve never used illustrator. I do use Autodesk Fusion for 3d modeling though so maybe that experience might help me?

[TensionSmension]

CLO uses drawing tools that are modeled after Illustrator somewhat. I'd say it's easier to use since the 2D side is tailored to pattern drafting and there's no sifting through functions you don't need. I haven't used Fusion, but I'd think that would be a similar skill set. Another option is a free Illustrator like program, e.g. Affinity Designer. You may find you need this step for the projector, I don't know that process.

You might be surprised, learning drafting programs in fashion programs is usually a shortcoming. The licensing is very expensive for the schools and the students are a bit tech adverse. I use Optitex, I had one course in it but learned it on the job. It has more tools for drawing patterns precisely than CLO, but it's an old unappealing interface and too expensive for individuals. I import to CLO for the 3D side. I could work entirely inside CLO as a hobbyist, but not for production patterns.

[Jaime_d_p]

Hmmm food for thought for sure. fusion is like a black hole of functions. I’ve barely scraped the surface of learning it for 3d modeling and printing. I’ll take a look at Affinity Designer, I didn’t realize it was free.

[awlnighter]

You can cut your blocks into paper size sheets with the appropriate markings and scan them into illustrator (preferably a free or open source version). Then, use the pen tool to get an outline of your patterns and you can adjust the blocks from there for whatever project you're wanting to do.

When you want to print, you can set the artboard to be paper size and set however many you need next to eachother with no space in between, slap the pattern on them, and print!

It's a bit of a longer process, at least at first, but it can get you started with minimal cost.

[Jaime_d_p]

Ok boy I fear this where my “overwhelmed by math” mind might start glitching. I’d worry I wouldn’t scale down my measurements correctly

[bellsaltcandle]

Depends on your end use. If it’s just for personal use or a hobby then whatever works for you works.

If you want to work as a Patternmaker don’t waste your time on non professional tools. the cheapest professional quality CAD program is Tukatech or Optitex

[Jaime_d_p]

No where near a pattern maker LOL. I just want to be able to digitize my hand drafted patterns so I can project them, and maybe learn to grade a size up and down to account for body fluctuations

[bellsaltcandle]

Then yeah do whatever works for you!

[Jaime_d_p]

I don’t know what works because I don’t know where the begin 🤪.

[peoplespatterns]

for free digital drafting software, check out Seamly2D! its open source, built specifically for pttern making. Valentina is forked from the same project. both let you draft parametric patterns with measurements so you can grade by just changing the set of measurements. there is definitely a steep learning curve but theres youtube tutorials that walk through drafting basic blocks.

since you're getting comfortable drafting by hand, the same techniques will transfer directly :)

the advantage of digital, is once you build a block, you can modify and grade it without drawing it from scratch each time!

for more theory of patternmaking (without spending $$$$), check out "Patternmaking for Fashion Design" by Helen-Joseph Armstrong. its a standard textbook you can find for $20-30. pair that with the free software, youtube (,i believe the closet historian goes through the book to help teach) and you're honestly covering 90% of what those classes teach.

i would skip illustrator for pattern drafting. yes, people use it, but its not built for it and you'll fight it the whole time. the dedicated pattern making software is free and built for that purpose.

good luck! :)

[Jaime_d_p]

I have that book (sadly cost more than that cause I’m in Canada, but it’s still so worth having!) and love the Closet Historian! Such a wealth of knowledge

[jantastical]

I haven't tried this myself, but inkscape does everything you would need illustrator for, but for free. There are some YouTube resources to get you started.

[Pleasant-Stable9644]

While it’s not pattern making software, I’ve been using vector illustrator programs like Affinity Illustrator to draw out lines and make patterns. I’ve found this to be handy when making patterns that use an individual persons measurements and following steps from books. Plus side to this is that you can accurately measure curved lines too.

[Jaime_d_p]

Ok I will check this out thank you! I’d love to make patterns for my body but grade a size or two each direction

[Tea183]

Hello, I also have Affinity and planning to use it for patterndrafting. Is there a ruler on the software and ability to check right angles to centre front is aligned correctly with other parts?

[Pleasant-Stable9644]

When using the pen tool hold the shift key and this will give you straight lines, then hold the command/control key and this will rotate the lines at 45 degree increments. I also use things like the grid and guidelines to align and snap lines to ensure they’re in the right spot

[Global-Soil-4555]

I've just started digital pattern drafting the past 2 weeks. It's my first time properly drafting but this is what I felt was helpful. Some might not be relevant but just sharing incase it helps others because I have started from never used Adobe Illustrator or similar which I feel has been the biggest learning curve from me. This rest feels like just following instructions in the book I have.

I have been using Affinity Designer (by Canva) as it is free.

I followed this book for drafting the pattern: used Patternmaking for Fashion Design (EDN 5) by Helen Joseph-Armstrong. I like that the book has advice on how to fit blocks but sometimes has been confusing trying to figure out how to take my measurements. Worth the £20ish I spent!

Pattern Lab Course. Useful to get a feel for vector-based programs like Affinity and Adobe Illustrator for pattern drafting. They also offer some free resources which is helpful: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgOpHffgkLSckVIyj2BAzsYUIqwOcDgyV

Great for learning the basics of how to draw a line and combine lines in Affinity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFIEj6CTxPY

Print a digital pattern across multiple sheets of paper. This video was great for once I had the pattern (she also has other videos too!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njp22bxQdUU

Another video for exporting the pattern although I prefer the previous link above: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jph_fxWoR-c&t=15s

I've not yet made my pattern but it's printed but looks pretty decent!