How to Make Sewing Patterns

I bought this book in 2008 and had a difficult time. I am much more a visual and hands-on learner, so just picking up a book on pattern drafting and "getting it"...well, it didn't happen. I tried, but something just wasn't connecting for me. Keep in mind that I've been sewing and altering patterns for years so although not a complete novice, something still eluded me. However, I will say that this is a weakness on MY part and nothing to do with the content and directions of the book, which are amazing. I was fortunate to recently discover a fashion fabric store in my area which offers various classes (draping, pattern making, sewing, laces, and other classes not offered at JoAnn's or Hancocks) and I took the pattern making courses. Afterwards, I was able to sit down with this book and it made complete sense. The last dot had connected. I simply needed to see it in action in order for it to click for me. And the class I took only lasted two hours, so it wasn't an incredible wealth of information, just the basic terms, a few measurements and demonstrations, and that was it. It was enough. This book isn't going to teach you fashion design or how to alter patterns. It will show you how to take accurate measurements and draft a basic sloper/block for your body. It has some instructions on how to alter the basic sloper into other pattern designs, but they are outdated and are really only intended to give you a general idea of what to do there. If you want a pattern making book that details exactly what to do with your basic sloper in order to get any pattern style you want out of it, I recommend "Pattern Making" by Jeanne Powell and Carol Foley. There are some new and used ones on Amazon but I wouldn't get them that way- too expensive and the edition is outdated. Carol Foley is the lady that taught the pattern making class I was in, and they print the book as a spiral-bound edition which you can buy for $75.00 here: [...] As for the negative reviews of this book, I think that they were expecting something different. Either they thought that the process should be easier/faster (trust me, drafting your own slopers and patterns and fitting them to you IS A TIME CONSUMING PROCESS, especially if you're new to it! You're not just going to whip out all your slopers in 30 minutes. If you do it enough then yes it will go quicker, just like anything else does when you practice it enough) or they thought the book would be teaching something else (such as altering patterns). I think it is unfair to review the book poorly based on mistaken expectations unless the book bills itself as something it is not. If there were a lot of errors or mistakes or the book was poorly written or hard to follow, that would be one thing, but it's not. It's very meticulous and explains things very clearly. In fact, I think he goes beyond the call of duty in assuming the reader knows little to nothing about drafting slopers. I myself would prefer too much information rather than too little. The illustrations and photos, while basic and black and white, are for the most part extremely clear and helpful in showing exactly what needs to be done. I give this book a definite thumbs up, especially considering the price. The other books I've looked at have cost much much more and have covered less material.

This book answered the questions I had had for years about why things still didn't fit after I thought I had done everything required. It is simple in its approach - start with my measurements which it explains how to take. Then it not only tells you how to apply these to my own pattern designs it explains the WHY. That is so important to me in being able to get the big picture of how something works, I need to know why. I am always amazed at this books simplicity and effectiveness. This book along with Julie Cole's and Sharon Czachor's Professional Sewing Techniques for Designers are my two Go To books for almost everything to do with sewing. It can also be used to learn how to alter commercial patterns, although I rarely use them now. I sew because I like clothes to hang, drape and fit where they should and to be the styles that work best for my body. The Professional Sewing Techniques for Designers book along with Donald H. McCunn's How to Make Sewing Patterns are my two most used sewing books. I do enjoy leafing through Claire Shaeffer's Couture Sewing Techniques and Sandra Betzina's Fast Fit. Both give me lots of inspiration and tips. Also Claire Shaeffer's Fabric book is priceless in knowing how to deal with different types of fabric. But the two that have almost everything you need for fit and construction are Professional Sewing Techniques for Designers and How to Make Sewing Patterns. Both books have lots and lots and lots of line drawings. I prefer them to photos as I am often not sure exactly what I am looking at in a photo. A line drawing de-clutters the context for me and allows me to focus on the particulars under consideration. Also both books have fabulous indexes so I can easily find what I need at the moment. They are both systematically organized, not jumping from one thing to the next, but staying the course, with detail, on whatever is being explained. I live in a motorhome for the winter months so every book I take has to be worth its weight in gold to me to warrant the space. These two books qualify in spades.

I have been sewing for many years, but I have recently decided that I want to become a master seamstress, and I want to teach myself how to do it. I have to say that this book is fabulous. I have only gotten as far as the skirt section, but it really teaches you the basics of how to look at patterns and fabric and how to fit yourself. It isn't easy to do these things (or everyone would know how to do them), but it isn't as challenging as I thought it would be. Just remember that the iron and your pin cushion are your best friends. I can't wait to start on the bodice section, as I have the most trouble with this area when I shop for clothing or patterns. If you have the patience, please at least try this book. It makes very complicated concepts easy to understand and apply. I am so pleased with my progress, and I have only been working with it for a week or so :) I recently made my first successful darts for my skirt. I realize that my darts are very long and rather wide, as the circumference difference between my hips and my true waist is 7 inches. Now I understand why my former skirt patterns never fit me, and I ALWAYS had baggy areas; the darts weren't big enough for the difference in these two circumferences. It's these kinds of revelations that make this book wonderful. It's teaching me how to understand patterns, so they don't seem so scary. One thing I have to say is that it would be a lot easier if you have a sewing buddy to help you with the fittings. I am doing this alone, and it is possible, but if you have a friend that also wants to learn, I think that is the best way to do this :)

I was prompted to buy this book after doing a pattern making course at night school. It took six months to do the basic blocks and only on the last few nights did I get any information on what to do with them. So I thought I'd turn to books. I bought this one because it seemed to be the logical extension to what I was doing - making patterns based on blocks. Making the blocks themselves isn't much use to me at the moment, but as I start to base patterns on them, I'm glad I've got a reference guide to supplement the scanty documentation from the course. As for the pattern making, it's a pretty good book but lacking in some areas. The pictures aren't always clear and the explanations and instructions can be confusing. It also doesn't give too much 'in general' information which accentuates it's age - the quite specific details are often for styles that aren't in fashion anymore and aren't easily convertible to modern designs. For instance I've got a jacket that I'd like to make with a one piece collar and this isn't mentioned at all and I'm not sure which of the three collar styles mentioned I might be able to use. I have another top I want to copy and while the book shows you how to convert the bodice block to a blouse, there's no information on how to make other styles of tops. Also I found a few things aren't in an order I find a logical - empire line is not in the bodice section but in the dress section where there is no mention of the bottom part below the bodice. But despite it's shortcomings, I think was worth buying because so far, I haven't found any other books that show you the techniques of block design and pattern making even to the somewhat limited amount that this does.

Don book is reasonable priced and is what I used in learning to make patterns. Yes the book is no frills, but the techniques make sense and easy to follow/use. I have others patternmaking books which I paid more money for and do not use them. How To Make Sewing Patterns (HMSP) is the first and last book I pick up. I am always telling people about Don amazing skills. Many are so amazed that a disable veteran can make her own patterns. They think I am very heavy in sewing. I am not only able to make basic patterns but I can create my own designs too. Don is an awesome pattern drafting teacher and group owner. I grew so much in my sewing since getting Don's book and being in his free group. Fabulous!!!! His classes are reasonable priced too. His critique is awesome. You got to do your part but someone is always there to see you through. Buying this book changed my life. It is hard to express, how making patterns and learning to be creative has improve my overall health. Lastly I must say, you feel at home and welcome in Don's diverse group. I found the group listed in the back of book.

I just finished drafting my first pattern - a pair of pants for my daughter. The instructions were clear and concise, and they fit perfectly the first time! I had one question about a line, but referred to one of my commercial patterns, and then understood what the author was trying to explain. While some of the pattern alterations are out of date, the book is still useful and helpful in making fashion adjustments. As someone who has sewn over 30 years, the book has also really helped me to understand pattern construction and will definitely help me when adjusting commercial patterns as well. I'm very pleased to have this book as part of my sewing library. For anyone who is interested in drafting their own patterns, I would highly recommend purchasing the appropriate measuring tools, especially a french curve. They are relatively inexpensive at your local fabric store, and help create the perfect lines.

So, this is a textbook, of the most textbooky of flavors. It has chapters that tell you what you're going to learn. Then you learn it two or three ways. Then we review what we have learned. The illustrations are clear and practical, and go through the concept under discussion cleanly and with no fuss. There is nothing extreme or extraordinary in the samples of what is happening, just sturdy workmanship. I think this class would be easier if you had a dress form to work on, but it's not required. I really enjoyed the different methods as a way to really grasp the concept. That said, it feels really slow, sometimes, to go over and over a concept that you have already grasped. And the book is not much for thinking outside the box in ways to use techniques. For example, a full-bust style adjustment can also be used for bellies, but no one ever mentions it, and this would have added a lot to the value of the technique, to have specific ways to think about using them other than purely what is indicated by the name. But that may be an invalid complaint. This is a book for pattern making, not fit and customization, and those are different disciplines, no matter how much I keep believing they are related. Read if: You are looking for a clear, visual indication of how to draft pattern slopers and how the fashion industries thinks things get modified. Skip if: You are actually looking for a book full of tips for how to fit a high round back and how to draft pattern pieces for large biceps. This is not that book. Also: This is the type of thing that many people find it useful to use video classes for. I recommend Craftsy.

I haven't had much time to read this book, but I've skimmed through it and it seems to be a little out-dated, not in techniques (although I wouldn't know that because I haven't taken my pattern making classes yet), but in design. What I mean is the author uses a model from a long time ago (not because she's not sickeningly skinny, but, well, because she's a bit outdated) For the most part, I think it will serve it's purpose. I was reading a bit of it and I must say that it is written really well. In terms of learning the basics of pattern making, it is very descriptive. I recommend it to anyone. Mostly beginners, though, as I am assuming someone who is more knowledgeable would already know this stuff. But It could also work as a reference to the experienced pattern maker, as well. I'll let you guys know how it works out for me later this week as I am attempting to make my first pattern. wish me luck!