Hi lovely friends! I am here again and this time I’ve written a post about my favourite pattern cutting books. I don’t know if you’ve ever thought about creating your own sewing patterns and blocks to make your own clothes, but it is a very interesting and different approach to sewing.
I attended a pattern cutting course at the London College of Fashion last year where I had the opportunity to learn the basics of garment construction plus which books could easily help you create your own blocks based on your measurements.
So here are some of my fav and I think some of the best!
1. Design Patterns. A fresh approach to pattern cutting by Hillary Campbell. Although this book was first printed in the 80s it is still relevant and it is the perfect book for a “beginner” in pattern cutting as it is full of diagrams that explains everything in a more visual way, from how to move darts to how take measurements or create a certain style for a pattern (i.e. a circle skirt or a raglan sleeve). The “only” con I would say it has is that it doesn’t explain why you have to for example close a dart in order to give more flare to a design. It just shows you how to do it, but in a very clear and easy-to-follow way.
Take a look inside…
2. Pattern Cutting by Dennic Chunman Lo. This book was one of the first I bought and it is one of my favourites by far. Dennic is a pattern cutting teacher at the London College of Fashion and also a designer. What I like the most about this one is the fact that it actually explains what pattern cutting is about, why you do something when you do it, so it is perfect for those who hasn’t done any previous course. It is also packed with helpful diagrams, instructions, step-by-step exercises and a last more modern approach to design with some out of the box creations at the back of the book.
In this video Dennic himself explains what you can find in the book…
And here you can see one of the first pages where he selects the main tools any pattern cutter needs at home…
3. Metric Pattern Cutting for Women’s Wear by Winifred Aldrich. THE book, the one people into pattern cutting always talk about, the one you’ve got to have. So, I like it, it explains how to create blocks and patterns for almost everything, from shorts to blouses to pleated skirts to outwear. But as the first book (the Hilary one is much easier to follow) it doesn’t explain why, it mainly guides you through the process of creating a pattern or modifying a block so if you’ve got no clue about it, better go for the Dennic one. If you already know the basics, this one would prove useful.
And inside…
4. Metric Pattern Cutting for Children’s wear and Baby’s wear by Winifred Aldrich. Exactly like the previous one, good for someone who knows what pattern cutting is about and great to create a whole range of clothes for children and babies.
The con? These super creepy drawings!! Don’t you think guys? Hahaha.
Well guys. Hope you liked this post. I didn’t want to make it tiresome by going into a lot of detail but giving you the most important bits so that you can now choose the most appropriate pattern cutting book for you. Just remember that pattern cutting is like a sort of architecture (now it sounds super difficult!) but it is a good way of thinking about it 🙂
You can write any question you have on the box below.
See you again next week!
xx
Ana