How to Design Clothes & Draw Patterns

Creating clothing designs and patterns is a process that allows you to consider the relationship of the fabric to the body. Follow a few tips to learn how to begin draping and designing your own garments.

Things You'll Need

• Blank paper Pencil or colored pencils Dress form Pins Fabric Fabric pencil or chalk Pattern paper Scissors

Instructions

1. Begin sketching your clothing design on blank white paper. Take into consideration folds and details of the garment, as well as color and fabric choice. Use color pencils to add color to the garment sketch if you wish, or keep the design black and white until you complete the structure and are ready to make fabric choices.

2. Visit a fabric shop and purchase your fabric. Lightweight fabrics of simple design are easier for beginners. Envision your drawn design and how the fabric will take shape into the image you constructed. Choose colors and textures to complement your design. Buy enough fabric to complete your design, and don't forget details like buttons or snaps.

3. Determine whether you are designing for yourself or for another. While a dress form is the perfect way to drape fabric for your body, include your model if you are designing for someone else. Get comfortable with the measurements of your dress form and compare them to your final product. Your dress form should match the body that will wear the clothing. It also helps to mark the center line of your dress form for clear, accurate draping.

4. Begin draping your fabric. Just as it sounds, draping is literally a freehand placement of your fabric on the dress form and adjusting or cutting into a pattern of your choice. Wrap your fabric in the style of your future garment and be sure you have enough fabric. As you lay the fabric over your dress form, ensure your center seam line is accurate and any pattern or grain in your fabric matches up on either side. Use pins to secure your fabric in place, but never pull or tug at it. Cut and pin pieces of fabric into a pattern, based on how you see the fabric fitting on your dress form. As you proceed, your garment will take a shape. Keep your drawing close by for reference.

5. Using a fabric pencil or chalk, draw on the seams and other sewing instructions, like darts. Taking your fabric off your form, use your markings to trace a pattern on your pattern paper and include the space of at least 1 inch for your seams and other technical allowances. Cut your fabric to match your pattern, and re-pin onto your dress form for adjustments. Use a temporary stitch until you ensure the fit of your garment, and then machine stitch your final garment.

Tips & Warnings

• Fabric draping, unless experimental, relies on a basic understanding of how a traditional pattern works. Familiarize yourself with the shapes of a pattern before you try designing and/or draping. For first-time drapers, try marking your pattern lines on your dress form before draping, to guide your fabric. Dress your dress form in well-fitting clothing of your own and mark where the waistline and neckline fall

References

• "Make your own custom clothes patterns"

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish