Customer Reviews

How to Draft Basic Patterns (4th Edition)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book offers the most basic (and some selected not so basic) patterns such as the front and back bodice, the sleeve, and the skirt draft. If you are already familiar with fashion design, you know that from those 4 drafts, you can go on to produce anywhere from coats to pants.

The book is written in a clear and straight-to-the point manner; no confusing terms if you are, as I had mentioned, already familiar with fashion design. The diagrams are in black in white and are clearly labeled. The steps are laid out clearly and the instructions are very to-the-point. Another great feature about this book is that in it had black and white photos of the tools needed to make patterns, a must for those beginners who have no idea what a french curve looks like. There are also some brief but clear definitions and explanations to certain terms or phrases used in the book.

The only downside to this book is that it is expensive for what you get (By the way, that's the reason why I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5). The book is thinner than you'd expect... I'd say that it is less than 200 pages, probably even less. I myself was surprised despite the fact that I bought it used for [less]. I couldn't believe how thin it was. I was expecting a thick and heavy text book. Go figure.

Oh and another thing, the book also includes a neckline measuring device supposedly produced by the publisher. I'm not sure if that contributes to the price but if it does, I say "What!?" It's made out of plastic but works beautifully. Luckily, my used version came with one in tact.

I am thrilled with this book. It is clear, concise, and thorough. I'm totally excited to make all the slopers to begin creating my own library of designs. Content-wise the only drawbacks is that it's mostly based on standard form sizes. They do give directions about how to measure the body and the drafting itself is pretty simply explained so either measurements can be used. Also, there aren't instructions about collars or cuffs or button/zipper extensions which, granted, are not really necessarily drafted by measurements. But you do need a supplemental Flat pattern making book for those items.

The only real cons I can tell are the publisher's fault - not the author's. The book is rather skinny for the price - I too was expecting a monster text. Should have known better - its a textbook right? so of course they gouge the student. Shameless really. On top of it, it is rather cheaply done - the pages look like photocopies!

Also, one reviewer mentioned that it came with the neckline tool - I didn't get one! Now I have to scour the internet to find a replacement because they don't have directions about how to draft a neckline. My only real annoyance.

My benefits included basic instructions regarding sleeve cap design, and detailed instruction on taking accurate measurements. I've added this book to my most available resources in my office, and refer to it frequently in the course of designing my own patterns and "fixing" commercially printed ones.

I feel that not enough information is given on pants. When explaining the draft for pants or slack it refers continuously to the skirt. Also, it is to confusing in trying to explain how to draft a pattern.