Patternmaking Made Easy (2nd Edition)
Patterndrafting For EveryoneConnie Crawford, teacher designer, and garment industry veteran, offers instruction for any sewer - beginner to advanced - interested in learning to draft patterns. Her latest book, Patternmaking Made Easy, is both comprehensive and systematic. Beginning with a detailed discussion of tools and practices used in patternmaking, the text proceeds to the drafting of various blocks, which are then used to develop fashion patterns. The information in the book, though intended to be used for making patterns from scratch, will be useful for sewers who wish to modify commercial patterns, as well. From basic garment silhouettes to details like pockets, collars, and complex shaping seams, all aspects of flat-pattern design are explained.--Threads MagazineBook review by ASG Member, Connie ShawThis weighty tome is invaluable to home sewers who want to draft or change their own patterns. Written for use in fashion education classes for people pursuing careers in the garment industry, the book s introduction depicts perfectly the main goal for the publication: "Its strength lies in its clear presentation of the principles, theories, and skills of patternmaking. "Readers will learn about creating pattern blocks and slopers, how to apply basic styling steps, ways to correct problems in basic pattern drafts when made into slopers, the reasons why and how patterns should be balanced, and a myriad of principles all relating to flat pattern design. For me, the most outstanding aspect on Connie Crawford s book is her excellent step-by-step procedures for drafting the basic blocks. The language is clear, easy to understand, and the line drawings illustrate the clarity of her how-to explanations. I first used her basic pant draft for myself and learned the value of accuracy and making lines perfectly squared-off when I had to re-do my draft a second time! When assisting some 14 Guild members draft their patterns by Crawford s instructions, for the most part I found them easy to follow.A most-welcome segment contains step-by-step instructions for making a custom dress form out of papier mache, including drawings and photos, as well as how to construct a stand for the form. Whodathunk it!I am familiar with several popular texts used in fashion design classrooms over past years (although Crawford s book is replacing some of them) and have found most of them to be very intimidating. By contrast, the Crawford book is user-friendly. I m delighted to own it.--Tucson ASG