Principles of Flat Pattern Design [Paperback]

Nora M. MacDonald (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1996

Written as a beginning-level patternmaking text, "Principles of Flat Pattern Design, 4th Edition", continues to provide an added dimension to apparel design and a better understand of the processes involved in producing ready-to-wear or custom apparel. MacDonald presents step-by-step instructions and diagrams, including a representation of the completed pattern. Design problems expand on the immediately preceding topic and offer the opportunity to build on previously learned material. The new edition explains upon the last in three perspectives: technical, creative, and professional. A new chapter will instruct students on how to draft their own sloper for use in flat pattern design. An additional new chapter will discuss the creative design process associate with patternmaking and the role of patternmaking within the professional apparel industry. This Edition includes new chapters on drafting basis pattern blocks (or slopers), the design process associated with patternmaking, and patternmaking as it relates to the professional apparel industry. The updated fashion illustration reflects more contemporary styles. It features new appendices that cover average seam and hem allowances, blank spec and cost sheets, dress form and body measurement worksheets, and computer design resources. The updated and additional practice problems challenge the student to expand upon and refine their skills. The book features four new half slopers: one-dart sleeve sloper, straight sleeve sloper, two-dart bodice sloper (shoulder and waist), and front torso sloper with shoulder dart. It also includes updated and expanded glossary of key terms.

--This text refers to the Spiral-bound edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Flat-pattern design is a logical method of producing innovative designs for apparel. This text prompts creating inquiry into flat-pattern design providing an added dimension to apparel design and a better understanding of the processes involved in producing ready-to-wear or custom apparel.

From the Back Cover

Key Benefit: Flat-pattern design is a logical method of producing innovative designs for apparel. This book prompts creating inquiry into flat-pattern design providing an added dimension to apparel design and a better understanding of the processes involved in producing ready-to-wear or custom apparel. Key Topics: A logical series of pattern manipulation procedures are presented in writing and visually. Step-by-Step directions include measurements and illustrations for visualization and understanding. Practice problems presented expand on the immediately preceding topic, encouraging further exploration of topics and giving the opportunity to build on previously learned material. Directions have been streamlined and pattern illustrations have been clarified. Includes a glossary, a metric equivalency chart, and front and back view fashion figures. Market: For fashion designers.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 2nd edition (November 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0134424506
• ISBN-13: 978-0134424507
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,239,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice Book, if a Bit Outdated, August 29, 2003

By 

"jennycrestedbutte" (Crested Butte) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Principles of Flat Pattern Design (Paperback)

This book is really nice, very informative, laid-out well and its information is very clear and fairly easy to follow. While it's a textbook, and therefore its primary audience is students of design, a skilled sewer will find this book to be very helpful nontheless. It's definitely for the beginner pattern-maker, and that's why it's successful not only as a text book but as a simple instruction book as well.

It outlines a brief (i.e. a few paragraphs) history of pattern making. Then it outlines all the tools (oak tag, pattern paper, french curves, hip curves etc.) of pattern making and how those tools are used. Next the book discusses darts, gathers and other ways to fit and add fullness to garments. After these introductions to pattern-making and fitting, MacDonald addresses the basics of EVERY TYPE of garment you will ever want to make! Seriously.

She addresses bodices, variations on bodices, darting for different figures, and then goes on to sleeves (variations on sleeves include cowl, raglan, kimono, lantern, leg o mutton and more!). She addresses variations and fitting techniques for the following: bodices, sleeves, necklines, pants, shorts, skirts (every skirt you've ever heard of and some you haven't!), tunics and dresses, collars, cuffs and closures!

While some of the techniques are a little outdated fashion-wise, (lantern sleeves and sweet-heart necklines - yuck!) the important thing is that it teaches you how to make EVERYTHING which is great experience nonetheless. And once you're familiar with pattern making for the various pieces - you can use what you've learned to make EXACTLY what you want!

This is, in short, a very thorough and clear book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clearly explained, highly recommended, but not comprehensive, June 28, 2009

By 

Victoria L. Hardy "Victorian fashion enthusiast" (Bristol, RI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Principles of Flat Pattern Design (Spiral-bound)

The above reviewer is absolutely correct. This book was a textbook used in two sewing courses I took. It is clearly written, well explained, and well illustrated. It is also very thorough in going through variations for each type of garment. One nice thing about it is that each chapter builds on previous knowledge and incorporates it into the practice designs featured at the end of the chapter. It also features half-size slopers to work with in the back of the book.

I would give it four and a half stars if I could. I think four is too low as it so excellently presented, but there is one problem. It is indeed a book for beginners, and it doesn't cover all types of garments. It goes through bodices, skirts, collars, sleeves, a small section on blouses, and pants. It discusses dart manipulation, seamlines and fullness, pleats and tucks, yokes, closures and facings and pockets.

It does not discuss bias designs, knits or stretch fabric. Neither is there a section on drafting jackets or coats, which cannot be derived solely from the lessons in the book. The chapter on blouses and dartless torso designs is brief.

In short, it is an excellent and highly recommended book for a beginner, but if you are serious about pattern drafting, it won't be the only book you'll ever need. This is why I have Helen Joseph Armstrong's "Patternmaking for Fashion Design" in my wish list.