Pattern Making in Fashion Design
The procedure involved while making a garment is a long and tedious one. Choosing the right fabric, sketching and pattern making are all important steps. One of the most important steps is to have the right fit. If it is too loose, the piece of clothing will look shabby; if it is too tight, it will look too tight and suffocating.
The process of making the right fabric into a garment with the right fit is called pattern making, which greatly helps dress design. Before understanding how it helps create a dress, we must understand what it means.
The pattern in Dress Designing
The pattern in fashion or dress designing is the template through which parts of a garment are traced onto fabric before being cut out and assembled. Creating patterns is a professional practice which requires an eye for detail and steady hands.
It is a highly technical skill which is important, especially in today’s world where dresses are made in different sizes. The pattern has to be right with minimal room for error to make the clothing the right size and shape.
As a blueprint to the design, pattern making helps dress design in many ways. It creates a structure for the garment. Also called technical drawing or drafting of the apparel, standard sizes, dress form and figures are measured, converted into 2D patterns and further turned into a garment.
Methods of Pattern Making
Drafting
This method involves measurements derived from the sizing systems or accurate measurements taken from the person’s dress or body form. Measures such as chest, hips, arms, legs and waist are taken down, and the dress is designed following the construction lines. Drafting creates a basic line format or a foundation on fabric.
Draping
Draping is the method of turning a two-dimensional fabric into a three-dimensional pattern. It involves conforming to a shape. The pattern created is transformed onto a piece of paper and then used as the final pattern. Space for easy movement of arms and legs is given to make it easier and more comfortable for the people who wear them.
Designers can see the overall form of the clothing through this method before it is cut and sewed. This method takes the most time and is the most expensive one too.
Flat Pattern Drawing
The flat pattern drawing method involves drafting the entire pattern on a flat surface using measurements, rulers and straight edges. It is the development of the basic pattern that fits easily and comfortably in a person or body form.
Importance of Pattern Making
Pattern Making has become a necessary and important step in fashion or dress design. It enables the designer to make different garments with different sizes and cuts. It helps interpret the design, understand the technical ability and make it easier for the designer to follow lines.
It also helps in the basic development of the garment, especially if it is big. Designers can customise apparel according to the customer’s need with pattern making. The pattern should be right to get the perfect fit. Otherwise, no one would buy that piece of garment.
Without pattern making, a designer cannot develop a garment. It is the foundation for dress designing, and if you want to become a fashion designer, it is something that you must learn. Many courses in fashion or dress design include pattern making in their curriculum.
Dress Designing Courses
Many institutes and universities have a course in Dress Designing. They are usually a diploma programme of one year. The basic eligibility criteria are clearing 10+2, while some institutes require you to take an entrance test.
A dress designing course emphasizes the art of application of design and aesthetics. It includes all the skills that are needed to make a dress. It includes learning how to use a sewing machine and designing different forms of garments like Kurtas, Skirts, Blouse, Collars, Sleeves, Sarees and much more.
The course is perfect for those who know exactly what they want to do. Shorter than a Fashion Design course, it teaches specific skills required to become a dress designer. People pursuing this course usually aim to work as a stylist, or costume designer, open their boutique or become a dress designer.
FAQS
A Dress Designing course can help you learn new skills and polish the ones you already have. Pursuing a course is not necessary but is helpful in many ways. You can learn about the industry and gain contacts and a lot of knowledge which you might not get otherwise.
The scope is high. The fashion industry is growing and converging with other industries, especially media and entertainment, which always look for costume designers, stylists and designers. You can always be self-employed by opening your store or boutique.
Fashion Designing is more detailed and thorough, while Dress Designing emphasizes the process of designing a dress. The courses in fashion designing are longer and sometimes include dress designing.