Pattern Making: Meaning and Types (2024)

A garment is created using a variety of processes. The most crucial element influencing whether a garment is ultimately accepted or rejected is fit. Fit must be incorporated into the original pattern using subtle pattern details that subtly provide fullness at the proper spots to accommodate body bulges in an attractive way. The drawing of the pattern must take into account the different shapes and proportions of each individual consumer to ensure a good, personalised fit. Standardized patterns became crucial to the success of ready-to-wear clothing with the advent of the Industrial Revolution.

Meaning of Pattern Making

A pattern is a blueprint for the garment that is used to cut the fabric. It is the drafting, or technical drawing, of a garment. Measurements are taken using standard size charts, dress forms, or the human body; these measurements are then translated into 2D patterns from which clothing is created. To be able to create various clothes, a fashion designer now needs to create patterns. For a student, pattern making is both fascinating and crucial because it enables them to interpret designs and comprehend them technically. There are numerous ways to create patterns. The most popular ones are draping and flat pattern making.

Pattern-making is an art. It is an art form to manipulate and mould a flat piece of fabric to fit one or more human figures. Making patterns serves as a link between design and production. A pattern that translates the design into the shape of the garment components can turn a sketch into a finished item of clothing. The body is not flat, although the pattern is. Body dimensions include height, breadth, and depth. The pattern maker is concerned by a number of secondary curves and bulges that are present inside this generally cylindrical framework. The foundation of all pattern making is the dart.

They transform the flat piece of fabric into a three-dimensional form that contours to the body’s curves. Usually, a flat sketch with measurements or a two-dimensional fashion illustration is used as the basis for a pattern by a patternmaker. The fundamental pattern is the cornerstone on which pattern creation, fit, and design are built. The fundamental pattern serves as the foundation for creating flat patterns. It has a straightforward design and fits the body with just enough ease to allow for comfort and movement.

Types of Pattern Making

Drawing, draping, and flat paper patternmaking are the three types of patternmaking used to create patterns.

Draping

Draping entails wrapping a two-dimensional piece of fabric around a form and letting it take on the contours of that form to produce a three-dimensional fabric design. A paper copy of this muslin is used as the final pattern (Armstrong). The garment is made more comfortable to wear by including space for easy movement. The benefit of draping is that, before the garment piece is cut and sewn, the designer can see how the finished design will look on the body form. It takes longer and costs more money than flat pattern making, though.

Entails wrapping a two-dimensional piece of fabric around a form and letting it take on the contours of that form to produce a three-dimensional fabric design. A paper copy of this muslin is used as the final pattern (Armstrong). The garment is made more comfortable to wear by including space for easy movement. The benefit of draping is that, before the garment piece is cut and sewn, the designer can see how the finished design will look on the body form. It takes longer and costs more money than flat pattern making, though.

Flat Pattern Making

It entails developing a basic fitting pattern that is both comfortable and simple to apply to a person or body. The sloper serves as the foundation for designing flat patterns. It has a simple design that is just loose enough on the body to allow for comfort and movement. For women’s apparel, there are five fundamental pattern parts. They consist of a basic neckline, a sleeve, a fitted skirt front and back with darts, and a snug-fitting bodice front and back with darts. Women’s fashion, however, changes regularly because of this. Then, fashions are made by manipulating these fundamental slopers. Flat Pattern Making

It entails developing a basic fitting pattern that is both comfortable and simple to apply to a person or body. The sloper serves as the foundation for designing flat patterns. It has a simple design that is just loose enough on the body to allow for comfort and movement. For women’s apparel, there are five fundamental pattern parts. They consist of a basic neckline, a sleeve, a fitted skirt front and back with darts, and a snug-fitting bodice front and back with darts. Women’s fashion, however, changes regularly because of this. Then, fashions are made by manipulating these fundamentals. Simple slopers don’t have seam allowances, which makes it easier to alter them to fit different styles. It merely has construction lines drawn on it; it lacks any design interest. The fundamental design of a sloper must allow for simple adjustment introduction. Accurate measurements are crucial for developing a decent pattern. Because it is quick and precise, the flat patternmaking method is popular in the ready-to-wear industry.

Drafting

This process involves taking precise measurements on a person, a piece of clothing, or a body form. To complete the pattern, ease allowances and measurements for the chest, waist, hips, and other body parts are marked on paper, and construction lines are drawn. To create fundamental, underlying, or design patterns, drafting is used.

Conclusion

Creating patterns has become a simple task in modern times, thanks to the use of computers. A variety of software is now available on the market to meet the needs of producers. The work of the pattern master has been simplified thanks to these programs. They have reduced the cost and time involved in the pattern-making process. With the help of pattern-making software, you can enter your measurements and create a pattern. These programmes create patterns specifically tailored to your measurements, doing away with a lot of fitting trial and error in the sewing room. There are numerous ways to create patterns.

The most popular ones are draping and flat pattern making. When making flat patterns, we accurately measure a dress form or a body and then translate those measurements into a pattern on paper. Muslin cloth is draped around a dress form or other figure to create a specific design. Pattern making is a practical and application-based discipline. Students are instructed in the creation of designer clothing after they have mastered the fundamentals. Pattern-making is initially challenging and time-consuming for the student, but after they learn it, they find it engaging.