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I have a question about sewing clothing. My sewing skills are ok, I can follow a pattern pretty well, but I would really like some resources to help me alter patterns or even draft my own! I would be great if you could ask the readers if they have any recommendations. Thanks for all the great work! [you might like to check out BurdaStyle - ed]
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Try Online Feature Library of Threads magazine. This library has articles covering patternmaking, basic and advanced sewing techniques, fabrics etc.
Also Fashion Incubator. Pattern maker and teacher Kathleen Fasanella’s blog for designers moving to clothing manufacturing. It’s a little higher caliber than I need but I frequently find technical and professional information that’s useful.
Buy old sewing books at thrift stores and pour over them.
Almost all of them have GREAT trouble shooting sections on fit.
And they stay on the sewing table… unlike the computer.
I strongly recommend the book “Make Your Own Patterns” by Adele Margolis. It’s not just about drafting, but about tweaking existing patterns to add details and features. It’s easy to read and follow. It’s been reprinted by Dover Press so it’s inexpensive as well.
There are a lot of online communities that are helpful with pattern drafting. One is the Yahoo group FitSnobs – http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Fitsnobs/
http://vintagesewing.info
this website has some great public domain books about drafting, I especially recommend the Modern Pattern Design book, it walks you through drafting a bodice and skirt sloper.
I’ve been making muslins of clothing patterns before the final garment. Then I take them in or adjust them as needed until they really fit, and I transfer those changes back to the paper pattern. It seems like a tedious extra step (and I guess it is) but having done this several times now I realize that I’m getting a very good education in how fitting works, and my confidence is growing tremendously.