Womenswear Pattern Cutting Intensive Short Course
Course description
Course overview
This intensive 3-week short course has been designed as a great first step towards setting up your own business or a career as a professional pattern cutter. You will start with an introduction to the industry standard size 12 block and be taken step-by-step through the core skills of pattern reading and style interpretation. You will then move on to use this knowledge to alter different parts of flat pattern pieces, practising variations of styles over an extended period of study whilst under the guidance of a specialist.
You will learn how to move darts to change the look of a garment as well as creating ease or a tighter fit. You will also be shown how to create varying silhouettes and how to adapt patterns depending on the choice of fabric. Your tutor will give you technical advice on garment construction such as seam allowances and fastening, and how to lay out pattern pieces when cutting your fabrics.
This course covers all the content included in Womenswear Pattern Cutting alongside more advanced techniques. It will include pattern work for collars, sleeves, bodice, skirts, trousers, dress linings, pockets, waistbands, and yokes.
Who this course is for
This course is suitable for anyone interested in womenswear pattern cutting, regardless of prior experience. Beginners are welcome, as are those looking to expand existing knowledge.
Key information
Topics covered
Methods of dart manipulation to create fit and style lines:
- Combined, shaped, dispersed and back darts
- Yokes
- The use of temporary darts for creating asymmetric darts
- The translation of dart shaping into tucks and seams for style and fit
Sleeved and sleeveless styles:
- Classic shirt, dolman styles, raglan and batwing
Necklines and neckline finishes:
- Neckline shapes including cowl, very low styles and adaptations for strapless
- Facings as a finishing option
- Collars and lapels including shirt collars, stand and flat collars
Skirt style analysis and finishes:
- Waistbands and facings
- Tapering a straight skirt
- Vents
- Moving darts
- Horizontal and vertical seams
- Pleats and gathers
- Adding fulness through seam lines
- Creating A-line through dart manipulation
- Linings
Dress style development involves contouring and handling the diamond dart.
Trouser styles are covered from skinny to oxford bag, peg top, culottes, flares and more.
Learning outcomes
- Ability to interpret fashion designs and illustrations of daywear and evening wear garments into your own patterns
- Create a comprehensive file of pattern samples in both paper and fabric
- Digital badge and certificate of attendance
Materials
- Stiletto awl
- Pattern master
Tutor
Annie Shellard
Annie Shellard has 30 years of experience working in womenswear as a designer and pattern cutter. Her current professional practise specialisms are lingerie and bridalwear. Annie’s first design job was for a small London based manufacturer and wholesaler. Due to the size and nature of the business, she became skilled in all areas of the design and production processes. This experience has underpinned her approach to working within the industry and in her own businesses. Annie first began her teaching career at London College of Fashion in 2002. She has been teaching at FE and HE levels since that time and became a member of the Higher Education Academy in 2012.
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