Customer Reviews

Patternmaking for Fashion Design and DVD Package

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was trained at FIDM over 15 years ago and the patternmaking textbook that we used was Helen Joseph Armstrongs "Patternmaking for Fashion Design", the first edition. It is the main patternmaking reference book I have used for the last 15 years. I finally got the updated version of her book as a gift this year and I was really excited. New pictures, a new way of doing the basic block from measurements (which still doesn't work well) and more. Some of the errors that I had highlighted from the original text were still in the fourth edition.

I was excited enough over the new book that I bought her new draping book as well (which is absolutely unusable as a teaching aid). Then one of my students (I teach patternmaking now) brought in Connie Amaden Crawford's new patternmaking textbook and I was an immediate convert. Ms. Crawford's book isn't as stylish but it makes so much more sense and is so much easier to follow. I have a colleague who had told me this comparison about the two books a while before (she is a master patternmaker with many more years of experience). I didn't believe her because I was RAISED on the Armstrong book, but she was right.

The DVD that comes with the patternmaking book is boring. It is basically just a film of Ms. Armstrong reading her book and following her own instructions in a poorly lit room with bad audio. I am going to sell both of the new Armstrong books and replace them with the Crawford books. Off with the old, on with the new!

This is the best current book out for pattern drafting, but I prefer the 3rd edition by the same title. It has styles that are more relevant for today. Caveat: Both editions contain mistakes (for example, double figuring in ease) so you should have some experience with making patterns and fitting before jumping aboard. Furthermore, the patterns and rules that are outlined focus on a mass production type pattern. If you're doing custom-fit clothing, you really need apply your experience and intuition to the pattern making instructions shown.

This text was recommended by a college professor who teaches pattern drafting. I was impressed with the content, easy to following instructions and illustrations. One of the best I've had an opportunity to own.

I have this edition and the previous simply because I do not get rid of anything. The reason I prefer this one to the prior is because there are colored lines to help show you step by step photos which the previous editions do not. I keep the previous edition because the styles are a little more common. Even though this one is basically the same book, the only true difference is that the images are more up to date to today's fashion and there are a few added patterns that are not in the previous.

All in all, I prefer the newer because I like the visual step-by-step colored lines and the dialogue is so simple to follow. I've been using these books for years and I don't know what I would do without them.

Fabulous book! I use it at my job all the time. Great to have for reference on how to perform any pattern manipulation; Also to have for grading. It's nice to have to show others in the office how pattern drafting works. I thought the cd that came with it was poor, but you don't really need it.

I have no training in apparel making other than my Home Economics class in high school and so this book is a bit too advance for me. It appears quite comprehensive so for an advanced person I imagine it could be useful. For me, it takes a little time to understand and feels overwhelming with information. Some basic knowledge provided is educational.

I bought this book to learn patternmaking and I must say that it can be really frustrating if you don't have a instructor. the good thing about this book is that it teaches you from the very basic to the expert. The person that I bought it from was a very good seller.

I first bought this book as a textbook for a patternmaking class I was taking. I immediately fell in love the the way everything is laid out and that it is in a convenient binder format. This was especially useful when I didn't want to/couldn't carry the whole book with me, I was able to just take the pages I needed for the class/project. I've now had this book for 5 years and still finding myself referencing it all the time for various topics. I love it and have recommended it to many people and I have even bought it as gifts!!

Hi! I am very surprised of the content of this book. It is really amazing how complete is the information. It is a bible for the fashion designer. Great book!

This is the best book I ever got to my job, if you want to be inside fashion design, this is yours!
I am a Modist, I not only design to my customers (drawing), who, on these days wants or needs a drawing only? nobody! but, if you offer personal design + personal patterns + final product = customer satisfaction and a lot of work!