Customer Reviews

Pattern Making by the Flat Pattern Method (8th Edition)

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

 

 

This book is written from the viewpoint that you already have a perfectly fitting bodice pattern, which you created from a store bought pattern. It gives you different style ideas, but no detailed step-by-step instructions. For instance, they tell you to remove the waist dart by combining it with the side dart.They show you a drawing, but no detailed instructions. I've been making patterns for 6 years, and I remember starting out totally confused about the whole moving darts issue. It took me an entire school semester to figure it out. This book is confused. It makes you design using store bought patterns (beginners stuff), then gives you vague directions that only a professional could understand. Don't waste you money.

I received this book when I was first beginning to experiment in drafting my own patterns, and I will tell you that this book is worth every penny if you want to be a fashion designer or just want to sew your own clothing ideas. Excellent for beginners, as it is more pattern manipulation (changing a commercial -store bought- pattern to your own design, very easy). If you are quite advanced (ie.Already know how to change patterns) this might not be the best book for you, as you might find it a little elementary to your knowledge, but can be a great reference from time to time when you are trying to remember how to change those pesky bust darts into a mid-yoke.
A must have for all who dare to push yourselfs beyond the boundaries of the boring old Simplicity's and Vogue's!!

I liked learning pattern making with this book. It doesn't illustrate how to draft a pattern from scratch like some other books, my favorite being Dorothy Moore's book for that. I used the eighth scale patterns in the book, made a zillion of them, and used those little patterns for "pattern labs" for each example and each style. I took out the spiral binding and put it in a big three ring binder and taped my pattern over each completed style with drafting tape. I learned slash and spread and the pivoting method with great ease thanks to this book.

The book starts with the assumption that the reader already has a "commercial basic pattern that has previously been altered to fit the individual". (found in the introduction) To that effect, it commences to show the reader how to ALTER the pattern into different styles to suit the reader. It's not meant to show you how to create a pattern from scratch. Compared to other books I checked out at the library, this was very concise with easy to follow illustrations. I thought it was a great book because it really aided me in making my own patterns. I'm pretty petite, so it's hard to find patterns in my size. Once I found a junior pattern that fit me (which was insanely hard), I used the book to alter the dimensions to create other looks that I would otherwise not be able to find commercial patterns for.

Incidentally a good book for making patterns from scratch is "Basic Pattern Skills For Fashion Design." It starts off using the drape method to get the pattern then proceeds to the flat method for alterations.

This is the book for those that are serious about flat pattern design. It uses the slash method using a slopper, if you don't have a slopper you should know how to draft one before getting this book; You will need sloppers to get started. If you are at all serious about learning the right way to do flat pattern design, this is the the book you want. It details all you need to know about creating any pattern you need. Its not for the in-experienced sewer or person. Also make sure you have the correct tools before starting. All in all a great book and what the flat pattern class I took at BYU used.

This book was recommended by my instructor. It is by far one of the best purchases I have made. It will be a great reference.

I needed this book for a Flat Pattern class that I'm taking, and this book has been so helpful in explaining with step-by-step guides how to alter basic style into anything that I want. This book is very helpful for people who are interested in becoming fashion designers. You must know how to alter clothes and what your end result will look like. I highly recomend this book.