I know the world of pattern making can seem scary and daunting but it’s actually much simpler to start than you think! If you’re someone that loves sewing but wants to take their skills to the next level, instead of buying a sewing pattern, why not create your own! Making your own sewing patterns opens up a whole new world of possibilities and allows you to create clothes you love the style of. Trust me, it’s not as complicated as it sounds.
In this guide, i’ll walk you through the basics of how to make your own sewing patterns, even if you’re an absolute beginner. This is your first step to create a handmade wardrobe that actually reflects your style and fits you like a glove. P.S. I have a new pattern making course to help you draft and sell your first pattern!
Drafting your own sewing patterns is a hugely valuable skill and it can take a lot of time and practise to get this perfect. But I feel there’s a huge misconception that you need formal training to get started. I believe by choosing a simpler project to begin with and slowly building up your skills towards more complex garments, you CAN do this! It’s a very rewarding skill to learn and it’s a way you could start to make an income from a hobby you love. You’ll also no longer by limited to what’s already out there and can create your own designs!
Materials needed
Although there are several more tools I’d recommend if you want to draft patterns, here’s a few of the bare bones absolute basics you’ll need to get started.
- Paper: A roll of tracing paper or even baking paper will do!
- Tape Measure: Get a flexible one so you can take accurate body measurements.
- Ruler: A straight ruler is a must, and if you can find a French curve ruler that’d be super helpful to get smooth lines.
- Pencil: This is so you can draw and draft patterns by hand, if you’d like to draft patterns digitally you’ll need to learn Adobe Illustrator – which I teach in this course
- Scissors: You’ll need one for cutting paper and one for cutting fabric.
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Fabric: It’s best to practise with cheap fabric first, or even an old bedsheet!
Start with something you already own
One of the key methods I find most beginners in pattern making give up with at the first hurdle, is drafting basic blocks. They can be really tricky to get right and take a lot of crafting on your end to make it fit well. Blocks (also known as slopers) are fitted garments that you make to either your size or a standard size, and then you manipulate them to make the style of pattern you want.
It’s a great skill to learn, but if you’re just starting out take a item of clothing you already own in your wardrobe and trace it! This is known as cloning your own clothes and it’s the simplest way to understand the construction of a garment and allow you to make a sewing pattern from a example you already have. Think t-shirts, skirts, or dresses that have simple style lines. If you prefer a visual guide on how to draft your own sewing patterns check out my new pattern making course here
Make Adjustments Until You’re Happy
Once you’ve got a basic pattern created, you can continue to adjust it until it fits what you had envisioned to create. Maybe you want to make the neckline lower or the skirt longer, or add puff sleeves! Playing with the possibilities of your pattern is such a fun process in pattern making and it’ll allow you to test different variations of it! As a pattern maker, I find I create lots of different variations of my patterns to stress test the style and decide what I do or don’t want to include in the final design.
Remember to use cheaper fabric to toile with first to get the fit right and then use different fabrics to see how they handle the design. If you’re making a sewing pattern for yourself, you can finish your process here! I like to keep personal sewing patterns I’ve drafted purely for myself in a dedicated folder and sometimes I’ll scan them on my computer so I always have a copy!
Test Your Sewing Pattern!
If you want to start selling your own sewing patterns, I always like to test my sewing patterns on family members that are larger than I am first, and then I’ll tweak the pattern with any adjustments that’s needed. Once I’ve taken the time to do that, then I’ll send the pattern off to pattern testers in a wide range of sizes, ethnicities and ages and collate everyones feedback. Gathering the opinion of others who test your sewing pattern will help ensure everything fits as it should, and will allow you to make the necessary changes to your final pattern.
Make Your Final Pattern Files and Upload Online!
You would have hopefully already created a basic set of instructions that your pattern testers can follow and give feedback on your methods not just the fit of your garment. Now would be the time to make your final sewing pattern files so they’re easy to understand and ready to sell online. I like to use Adobe Creative Suite software to design my pattern files because it’s easy to use once you get your head around it. Uploading your first sewing pattern is super nerve-wracking but oh so worth it!! Choose websites like Etsy or if you want your own store you can use sites like Squarespace, Shopify or Wix.
Want to Take Your Pattern-Making Skills to the Next Level?
If you’re serious about learning how to make your own sewing patterns (and even sell them online!), I’ve got just the thing for you. My online pattern making course is designed specifically for beginners and will guide you step by step through the entire process of pattern-making. You’ll learn:
- How to make and sell your first sewing pattern
- How to digitise your sewing patterns and use Adobe Illustrator for pattern drafting
- How to set up your online shop with confidence, even if you’re starting from scratch.
- The exact strategies I used to grow my pattern businesses to six figures.
- Get access to a community of other people who are also working towards making their passion for sewing into a profitable business.
If you’re ready to dive deeper and learn all the ins and outs of pattern-making, I’d love to help you through my pattern making course. It’s filled with step-by-step guidance and tutorials for you to follow at your own pace. Click to access now.
Making your own sewing patterns is an incredible skill that not only unlocks creative freedom but also allows you to customise your wardrobe to your exact taste. Whether you’re just starting or looking to improve your skills, practice, experiment, and most importantly, have fun with it!
Happy Sewing,
Tammy xxx
