Roxy Roller Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 I am wanting to teach my DD12 how to sew, but I am not looking for something to teach the basics, I am more looking for a curriculum or book that would teach a beginner to draft simple patterns. I have looked online, and I have come up with a few pattern drafting books, but I would really like something that has been tried and proven. Our first project will probably be a simple skirt, and I will teach the basics as we go along. I want to teach drafting as a part of it, mainly because patterns are so expensive, and I think it would be a cool skill to have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 For skirts, have you seen Sew What! Skirts: 16 Simple Styles You Can Make with Fabulous Fabrics ? I recommend you try to find this oldie: Dorothy Moore's Pattern Drafting and Dressmaking. She lived in Okinawa for a while and seems to have picked up on their method. I also have Patternless Fashions by Lewis and Loh. I made some things for my daughter from it and pajama pants for my kids. There was some seeming error but I figured it out, but it's not the clearest. They have all sorts of things for men/women/boys/girls but some are a bit dated. But you can make many work. In terms of something more modern, Kids' Clothes Sew Easy: Easy to Sew T-Shirts, Tracksuits, Leggings, Trousers, Shorts, Dungarees, Anoraks, Skirts and Dresses by Rene Burgh is OOP but can be found. It's only for kids. It starts everything with a sloper and you alter from there, instead of directly drafting the pattern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxy Roller Posted February 13, 2012 Author Share Posted February 13, 2012 For skirts, have you seen Sew What! Skirts: 16 Simple Styles You Can Make with Fabulous Fabrics ? I recommend you try to find this oldie: Dorothy Moore's Pattern Drafting and Dressmaking. She lived in Okinawa for a while and seems to have picked up on their method. I also have Patternless Fashions by Lewis and Loh. I made some things for my daughter from it and pajama pants for my kids. There was some seeming error but I figured it out, but it's not the clearest. They have all sorts of things for men/women/boys/girls but some are a bit dated. But you can make many work. In terms of something more modern, Kids' Clothes Sew Easy: Easy to Sew T-Shirts, Tracksuits, Leggings, Trousers, Shorts, Dungarees, Anoraks, Skirts and Dresses by Rene Burgh is OOP but can be found. It's only for kids. It starts everything with a sloper and you alter from there, instead of directly drafting the pattern. Thanks, Stripe. We will look into those books. Anyone else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dovie Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 There is a wonderful book from 1942 by Harriet Pepin called Modern Pattern Design. I have a copy of it and there used to be a copy posted at vintagepattern.info which seems to have been taken down. However, I found a link to an archive of that which is still available. Here is a link to that discussion http://www.burdastyle.com/discussions/someone-help-me/topics/vintagesewinginfocom--2 Here is the link that will take you to the table of contents: http://replay.web.archive.org/20070103111428/http://www.vintagesewing.info/1940s/42-mpd/mpd-toc-short.html It tells how to draft slopers and designs from these. The book is remarkably similar to a more modern book I also have called Patternmaking for Fashion Design by Armstrong. It is also great for learning to draft and manipulate basic patterns. I have the second edition, I know it has been updated, but you might be able to find a used copy? These have been very helpful to me. Learning some basics has really improved my sewing and is very liberating! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindyg Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and I was a home ec major, that class was called "Flat Pattern Design." I just googled that term and got many hits. So, I suggest you google that term and see what you come up with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 I would probably use the Angry Chicken skirt and possibly add a waistband and conventional hemming if the elastic is too tough for a beginner project. Other than that, I would look for vintage materials, like 1950s sewing curriculums. There are many available on the web. I used to have one bookmarked, but I can't find it just now. I don't think you will find a modern curriculum like you are wanting, there just isn't enough current demand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxy Roller Posted February 13, 2012 Author Share Posted February 13, 2012 There is a wonderful book from 1942 by Harriet Pepin called Modern Pattern Design. I have a copy of it and there used to be a copy posted at vintagepattern.info which seems to have been taken down. However, I found a link to an archive of that which is still available.Here is a link to that discussion http://www.burdastyle.com/discussions/someone-help-me/topics/vintagesewinginfocom--2 Here is the link that will take you to the table of contents: http://replay.web.archive.org/20070103111428/http://www.vintagesewing.info/1940s/42-mpd/mpd-toc-short.html It tells how to draft slopers and designs from these. The book is remarkably similar to a more modern book I also have called Patternmaking for Fashion Design by Armstrong. It is also great for learning to draft and manipulate basic patterns. I have the second edition, I know it has been updated, but you might be able to find a used copy? These have been very helpful to me. Learning some basics has really improved my sewing and is very liberating! Thank you! This is what I am looking for. The bolded is what I want to impart to my DD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxy Roller Posted February 13, 2012 Author Share Posted February 13, 2012 Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and I was a home ec major, that class was called "Flat Pattern Design." I just googled that term and got many hits. So, I suggest you google that term and see what you come up with. I was googling 'sewing pattern design', so I will spend some time checking out 'flat pattern design'. Thank you for the proper terminology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxy Roller Posted February 13, 2012 Author Share Posted February 13, 2012 I would probably use the Angry Chicken skirt and possibly add a waistband and conventional hemming if the elastic is too tough for a beginner project. Other than that, I would look for vintage materials, like 1950s sewing curriculums. There are many available on the web. I used to have one bookmarked, but I can't find it just now. I don't think you will find a modern curriculum like you are wanting, there just isn't enough current demand. Very cute skirt! I will look into vintage materials. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeeBeaks Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 For skirts, have you seen Sew What! Skirts: 16 Simple Styles You Can Make with Fabulous Fabrics ? This is a fabulous intro, to the point, start in the am and have a skirt that night. How to Make Sewing Patterns by McCunn is good and affordable, clearly written text. I also like Patterns from Finished Clothes by Doyle for remaking the stuff I already have in my closet and love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxy Roller Posted February 13, 2012 Author Share Posted February 13, 2012 This is a fabulous intro, to the point, start in the am and have a skirt that night. How to Make Sewing Patterns by McCunn is good and affordable, clearly written text. I also like Patterns from Finished Clothes by Doyle for remaking the stuff I already have in my closet and love. Oh, I like the idea of making patterns from finished clothes. I will also look into the McCunn book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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