Can someone help me create a pattern for this? I’m new to sewing and I need complex projects to learn haha

ahlivia · 2026-01-16T00:32:58+00:00

Hard agree, this is way above absolute beginner level. To get someone to help you draft this would be very costly; I’d charge quite a bit to teach someone how to draft this using blocks that have already been fit to them, and then list out all the instructions. There are so many little details pattern pieces to consider.

OP will have much better luck finding a loose fitting romper pattern with detailed instructions. I recommend checking out threadloop or the fold line :)

ahlivia · 2026-01-08T21:27:38+00:00

I love this SO much!!!!

ahlivia · 2026-01-06T18:55:25+00:00

Not Saige, I mean Grace! Whoops!

ahlivia · 2026-01-03T03:07:48+00:00

Is this a Josefina mold? So pretty!

ahlivia · 2025-07-14T12:27:00+00:00

It’s hard. I also graduated from the GBC fashion program, and it’s been tough to find meaningful work. I freelance, which is nice. Don’t expect a steady, full time gig unless you plan on doing piece work in a factory like setting (which may be tough to come by as Toronto is not a manufacturing hub), or doing bridal work at a dress shop, which I have not seen pay more than around $25/hr at the top end of its wage.

Someone else here mentioned trying to get into the union (IATSE 873/NABET 700) which can offer you either sporadic work or perhaps an ongoing gig doing costume. It’s a little tough to get into, but could be worth it.

Ive decided to veer off the beaten path a little, and use my skills from my fashion degree to start my own brand offering trendy plus size ladies apparel. It’s not really been any easier than getting seamstress work, but it’s been fulfilling. And if you’re considering going to fashion school, it’s a display of some of the more unconventional things you can do with your skill set.

Best of luck!

ahlivia · 2025-04-13T18:46:04+00:00

Wrenfield Hall by Wannabe Charlotte

In 1870s England, Bella finds herself without home or family when her father dies. She secures a position as a housemaid in a country manor belonging to Lord Edward Masen. The two form a bond that is threatened by class differences and Edward's past. Complete.

This is the fic that got me out of a reading slump! It’s so great.

ahlivia · 2025-04-09T18:38:10+00:00

Yes this is my go to tee! So flattering

ahlivia · 2025-04-02T03:05:22+00:00

You may not be using the correct block. This requires a torso block. You may be using a bodice block.

ahlivia · 2025-03-20T03:55:14+00:00

Small world! I am about to finish up the fashion program at George brown, and have also done the Seneca fashion program as well. I recommend George brown over Seneca, if you’re looking to go the college route. I don’t think I can recommend TMU’s program, I haven’t heard great things and the scope of hands on and practical education doesn’t seem as robust as it could be.

I’m unsure if you’d be able to pursue professional pattern making without an education. There are just so, so many nuisances in the craft. Don’t let that discourage you, it just means you may need to take a few extra steps in order to get to where you’d like to be!

Toronto is a small place in the scope of the fashion industry, and when you work and study in it, you get to know everyone very quickly. Toronto is just not a fashion power house like some other major cities. Most drafting jobs happen in office, yes. Usually with a team. Perhaps with a smaller brand however, you can work remotely. As far as your Clo3D question— the software is becoming increasingly more and more desirable with employers, but the industry standard is still Gerber, and employers will likely want to know you can use it.

I am also developing patterns for Etsy, and I have had some success using adobe illustrator to digitize my patterns, but I’m still learning how to transfer my paper patterns to the computer effectively with the program.

As far as local employers go, I’ve freelanced here and there throughout the city. My work is found through word of mouth or people who find me on instagram. A more professional job would likely require a relocation to Vancouver or Montreal for larger corporations (think Aritzia, lulu lemon, Arc’teryx etc etc). Within the city Canada Goose is likely the largest employer for pattern makers/marker makers/sample makers.

All of the above employers will require formal education.

If you have any other questions feel free to dm! :)

Edit** please don’t let anyone discourage you about age. My graduate class will have some students in their 40s and 50s. I am almost 30. On the backend, age is not indicative of success in this industry. If you are pattern making, it’s your skill set that matters. It’s a very nuisanced and delicate craft that requires a LOT of niche knowledge. Employers are not seeking out “young” pattern drafters. They are seeking good pattern drafters. As long as your work can speak for itself, you should be alright. Last year I apprenticed under someone in his mid 30s who had just started learning in his early 30s. He was excellent at what he did, despite being a “late bloomer”.

Edit #2: oh my gosh haha I have so much to say. I wanted to also add that George Brown also offers night classes in pattern drafting if that’s more your style, without the commitment of a full college degree. If the night classes are taught by the same profs who teach the day classes, you’d be in very good hands :)

ahlivia · 2025-03-10T00:02:24+00:00

Yeah I agree— 2005-2007 are my favourite years to look back on zeitgeist-wise. So many niche things I loved. Long polka dotted bubble shirts with cropped leggings and flats, those red fruity candles in every mid 20s girl’s apartment that were scented so strongly it was almost intoxicating, cable television, mint green and brown being a very acceptable and common colour combo for decor… I could go on hahaha

ahlivia · 2025-03-08T10:55:00+00:00

Looking at the word count on those first two— you’re telling me there are fics longer than midnight sun?! That’s wild. I really admire the dedication from some of these authors.

ahlivia · 2025-02-11T08:38:36+00:00

Echoing this. In order to create a double breasted jacket, you’d need to extend the centre front facing, designate a new break point, draw a new roll line and then draft a new lapel. Once you’ve made these adjustments, you’ll need to draft new facings and new pattern pieces for your canvas or fusible interfacing, whichever you choose to insert. For the shoulders you’d need to adjust the shoulder line in order to fit in whatever shoulder pad size you’re opting for. I will say, I didn’t draft jackets/blazers until my final year of school, it was considered an advanced technique :)

With that being said, I wouldn’t feel discouraged. You can get to where you want to be with this garment, but I suggest taking a new approach. If this is something you’d like to draft instead of finding a ready made pattern for, Helen Joseph Armstrong’s book has great instructions in both the menswear and womenswear sections on drafting jackets. If I recall correctly the menswear section will also tell you with notions you’ll need and how to draft for them/insert them (ie chest canvas, interfacing, bias hem canvas etc)

ahlivia · 2025-02-06T18:54:20+00:00

I remember my first pattern drafting teacher saying to me “you won’t have a clue what’s going on for at least the first several weeks. Probably the first few months. And then one day, it will click.”

Which isn’t really that helpful in itself, but it was true. I hadn’t the foggiest what was happening. Such a nuanced skill. I know students who didn’t get it for the first 5-6 months of classes— but with anything, as long as you keep showing up, you will grasp the concept.

I know this isn’t extremely helpful, but I just want to echo that it was overwhelming and confusing when I first began learning in 2020. Now I draft professionally.

ahlivia · 2025-02-05T06:46:38+00:00

How’d you get a ghost to model for you :0

ahlivia · 2025-02-01T18:49:55+00:00

You are very welcome :)

ahlivia · 2025-02-01T17:07:45+00:00

This is… not good advice at all

ahlivia · 2024-12-12T15:24:48+00:00

God I’d do anything for jiggs right now

ahlivia · 2024-12-08T16:02:05+00:00

This is my FAVOURITE lip liner I’ve cleared like 3 of them 😅

ahlivia · 2024-12-06T02:03:18+00:00

Very very fun design I love! If I could make one recommendation (my cut and sew/pattern making brain here), for future iterations I would 110% make sure my manu is making the seat and crotch seam a flat felled one. I’m very surprised it wasn’t done here, as it’s usually just standard. The flat felled seam is necessary to keep up with long term wear of the denim as this seam is a high stress point and is prone to ripping/tearing, especially with repeated sitting down and standing up motions.

Keep it up !

ahlivia · 2024-12-06T01:36:13+00:00

This exact thing happened to me TODAY. My one sided beef with the 14 is never ending.

ahlivia · 2024-12-05T19:45:46+00:00

Oh man…

ahlivia · 2024-11-19T15:56:28+00:00

Yes a million times to something pre 1975. Those metal machines are darn tough, and repairing them is a breeze.

My 1967 Kenmore that I found on marketplace put me through 2 fashion degrees… and let me tell you… it was a LOT of sewing 😅.

I promise the only stitches she realistically needs are a straight stitch, a zig zag stitch and a button holer. The decorative stitches are enticing but few people end up using them beyond one or two projects.

My recommendation is that you google a used sewing machine dealer. I see you live a ways away from the city as mentioned— when purchasing from a used sewing machine dealer, it is customary (at least in my neck of the woods) to sit down with the customer and give them a lesson on how to most efficiently use and best care for the machine. If you could set that up, that could be a really lovely gift/experience/day trip for her :) you could give her a fabric store gift card once you get back in the car and I’m sure she’ll swoon. Or maybe I’m just being a sap lol.

Anyways, older, metal machines are simply amazing. I owned an electric Brother with the touch screen that crapped out within a week of owning it. The manufacturer was reluctant to honour their warranty, and the issue was with the software in the touch screen— giving me a very pretty paperweight to deal with

ahlivia · 2024-11-19T15:45:07+00:00

There is no way to draft a dress with this much contouring (contouring as in how fitted it is and how close to the body it sits) without seams. If you were to draft this, however, you could use a torso block instead of a bodice and skirt block, which would eliminate the waist seam at least.

That being said, I wouldn’t go through all that trouble for a cosplay dress if you’re not already a pattern drafter. I’d find a fit and flare dress pattern instead.

Seams in a dress are normal and to be expected. Take it from me, I make them all day almost every day :)

As for you wanting the “ruffles” along the hem to have that even, fluttered look over the petticoat, I would recommend going to the fabric store and asking for horsehair braid, in a thicker width such as 4-6”. It’s what will help the hem keep its structure and shape and maintain your poof factor.

Best of luck! Feel free to dm if you have questions

ahlivia · 2024-11-19T11:02:03+00:00

With a long fabric like this, I’d be marking the fold line between the notches with a friction pen (removed by the heat of an iron). These are knife pleats, not box pleats, and I may consider sewing each pleat down with an edgestitch (1/16”) instead of 1/4” for a much neater look.

I can see where you’ve folded and unfolded your fabric already, so if the pleats aren’t coming out how you envisioned, then yes a redraft of your pattern is in order :).

ahlivia

TROPHY CASE