Customer Reviews

Patternmaking Made Easy (2nd Edition)

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

 

 

I've been sewing for years. I have taken an extensive pattern drafting class and an equally extensive draping class. These helped me get an idea of pattern construction but NOTHING got me to actually succeed like this book. I read the instructions carefully and drafted (from plain paper to fitted muslin) two pairs of pants for two very different women in one day. Just from the instructions in this book.

I have also used her sleeve drafting instructions to get sleeves perfectly the first time. I have NEVER been able to do this before. I also shared the simple, clear instructions with a couple of relative beginners and they were adjusting sleeve patterns to fit within minutes. If you have some sewing experience, I dare you to try. You will be SO happy you plunked down the considerable price for the book. It is a reference you will use over and over and over again.

And if you like visuals, go ahead and get the companion DVDs. They move fast but as an enrichment and visual guide for the book, they are invaluable. Read, prepare and follow along.

I'm serious - two pairs of beautifully fitting pants on two very different women in one day.

We used this book in my pattern drafting class, and I feel it was poorly written/edited. I'm no English instructor. However, I feel the editor doesn't know how to form sentences properly, or didn't proof read this, so that a lay person would understand the instructions. I found myself reading each step SEVERAL times. Had I not seen the steps done in my class, I would NEVER have been able to properly draft my sloper. Also, my instructor showed us an easier & more accurate method of locating the bust point. Ms. Crawford also added ease to the slopers. My instructor had us eliminate any ease because it is with the design of your garment when ease would be included. The sloper is the baseline starting point from which one would alter a commercial pattern or create new designs. Lastly, she talks about what tools are used in the industry, but doesn't go into detail as to how to properly use them.

My pattern-making class was moving along smoothly. After everyone had all their measurements, we turned to the instructions in this book to make the sloper. Disaster struck. The instructions are unclear, not well explained, poorly copyedited, based in some steps on random numbers not derived from the measurements at all. Terms not previously used are given as starting points for later steps. Geometric points don't connect. All seven people in the class were stumped and the teacher was frustrated by her inability to explain; she had to keep saying "ignore the book and just do what I tell you."

Being new to sewing, I became overwhelmed with many things: one being the amount of books available for introductory sewing and patternmaking. After scouring Amazon and talking to some trusted friends, this made the list of the top two books recommended for patternmaking. I'm glad I selected this one, as it was an invaluable resource during a recent patternmaking workshop I took and makes the process digestable with excellent explanations and pictures to guide the new student.

Even though I am on Chapter 3 of the book, I am excited about getting started. It has good information about patterns that I didn't know about like notch placements. I am really enjoying the book so far.