How to Sketch & Design Clothing Patterns

Creating your own clothing patterns is easier than you might think.

Many people who sew have closets full of garments tailored to their own tastes. Most use commercial patterns, but it is surprisingly easy and affordable to design your own. Clothing designers may spend years learning to make patterns for the fashion industry, but you can sketch and create unique designs using an existing, well-fitting garment as a baseline.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Drawing paper
• Large roll or sheets of paper
• Iron
• Pins
• Transparent ruler
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Draw the outline of a nude figure that approximates your body shape. Sketch the item of clothing you want to make onto the figure. Erase parts of the original figure (such as the outline of the arm inside a sleeve) to give a better indication of how the item will look on the body. Add any decorative details such as buttons or trim.

2. 

   Iron the garment smooth before you start.

   Select an existing item of clothing with a similar shape and a good basic fit. For example, if you are designing a skirt, pick a skirt from your closet that already fits you well. The fabric and details won't matter; you will use it to create the basic shapes of the pattern. Turn the garment inside out, and iron it.

3. 

   Place a pin every inch along the edge of the fabric piece.

   Spread the large paper over a flat surface. Examine the separate pieces of fabric that make up the garment. Lay the article of clothing so that a single section, such as a sleeve, is in contact with the paper. Pin the section to the paper, placing a pin every inch along the edge of the piece.

4. Trace the outline of the piece close to the pinned edge. You may need to move other sections of the garment out of the way as you do this. Remove the pins, and repeat Steps 3 and 4 for each of the garment sections. When all sections are traced, remove the garment from the paper.

5. 

   Use scissors to cut out each pattern piece.

   Draw another line around each pattern piece, 1/2 inch from the first line. Use the clear ruler to be sure the distance is consistent. This will be the seam allowance. Cut out each piece on the second outline.

6. Alter the pattern based on your original figure drawing, and don't be afraid to experiment. For example, you might cut the sleeves shorter, or add to the length by cutting the garment and inserting a strip of paper with tape. Hold the pattern piece up to your body to see if the new length suits you.

7. 

   Mark the locations of ribbons, buttons or other details on your pattern.

   Make notes on the pattern to indicate where you would like to add ribbons, buttons or other details. Changing the details will yield a unique piece of clothing each time.

Tips & Warnings

• Laying out the clothing and paper on a carpeted floor will allow you to pin through all layers and into the carpet to help keep your work stable as you trace. If you use the pattern carefully, you can make more than one garment from it.

Resources

• Pattern Making, Fashion Design for Clothing