Like many pattern-makers-to-be or pattern making newbies, if you want, I sometimes tend to feel like I maybe need to study this properly in order to make something of it. The only formal fashion design and pattern making class that I could take right now is an online class.
I am mainly a self-learner and I know I can save a lot of time learning by myself (in-class experience with fellow student and a teacher who interacts with you is still the best for me, but not always possible). A Coursera and Udacity and Codecademy aficionado, I’ve also noticed I prefer books to instructional video. I read faster than I watch videos and sometimes I can’t fully concentrate on a video. At the same time I can read perfectly comfortable in a room full of screaming babies (not something I am usually exposed to, buy just saying).
So, as I decide whether I want to pay the online course or read the good books, in my time on my rules, I day-dream about my sewing, pattern-making and fashion design library.
My go-to book for pattern-making is Patternmaking for Fashion Design by Helen Joseph-Armstrong. This book is one of the most valuable book buys I made in the last three years. I actually stopped buying pattern magazines when I realised how easy it was to adapt and modify existing patterns.
Other two books I like but don’t actually use are Coletterie and the first Burdastyle book. They are both great for inspiration, but I did’t make anything out of them. (I almost finished a chocolate truffle, but made a major mistake when fitting the back and the dress ended in the “to fix” basket).
What other books are the stars of your collection? Which books would you like to read? What are the “stay away from” pieces?
<3 it! that fabric was an amazing one!
The book I find myself coming back to all the time is a vintage title, “How to Make Clothes that Fit and Flatter” by Adele Margolis. You can find it on eBay for quite reasonable prices. It gives you multiple fixes for different fit problems, which I really appreciate. I also am really loving Patternmaking for Menswear by Gareth Kershaw. I reviewed it on my blog a while back, but it really fills a hole in fashion books. It’s full of great designs for dude sewing and shows you how to pattern them if you already have a basic sloper.
Hm, very interesting! Thank you!