Learning Pattern Making Fashion Design Student
Manufacturing garments is the dream of every fashion designer. A vital skill you need to learn is pattern making. It bridges the gap between creative design and practical garment construction. It’s usually a pattern that gives shape and form to a garment. Mastering this skill requires a lot of time and effort. However, as a fashion design student, learning pattern making is important.
If you’re wondering what pattern making entails, this blog has you covered.
What is Pattern Making?
Pattern making is the art of creating a blueprint or template for a garment. Usually, fabric pieces are cut which are then sewn together to create a final garment. Pattern making usually requires technical knowledge, idea of body measurements and a lot of calculations. It is not as easy as it seems to be. In layman’s words, it’s like creating a puzzle. You design several pieces so that when they’re put together, they complete an outfit. A good and experienced pattern maker makes patterns that fit well and flatter the body at the same time.
The most popular types of pattern making include – flat pattern making, draping and digital pattern making.
Why is Pattern Making Suddenly So Important?
Pattern making is slowly but swiftly gaining momentum. After completing a course in fashion designing, a lot of students are even taking up pattern making as a career option. Well, a pattern lays the foundation of fashion design. When a pattern is made correctly, it ensures the garment fits well. A fashion line also depends on the accuracy and quality of the patterns. Designers may come up with an idea. However, it is the pattern maker who ensures the designs come to life effectively and efficiently. Here’s a more detailed look at its importance:
Transforms Design Ideas into Reality
When a fashion design student makes a sketch, it is just an idea. A pattern maker translates it into a wearable garment. Only when they experiment, do they realise how different design elements translate into wearable garments. In short, it converts 2D concepts into 3D reality. If students want to design and stitch garments after completing their fashion design course, they have to pay close attention to pattern making. It’s a skill that decides the final fate of the garment.
Increases Efficiency
Pattern making streamlines the garment manufacturing process especially for mass production. It ensures consistency in size and shape across multiple garments. Today’s consumers want garments that fit well and are flattering. Garments that fit poorly can ruin even the best of designs. It is the pattern that ultimately decides the fit of the garments. In pattern making, students are taught how to ensure the right fit and meet the required proportions. Every fabric behaves differently and it is the fabric that affects the pattern. Once a pattern or blueprint is created, duplication of designs becomes easier thereby saving time, increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
Enhances Technical Skills
A fashion designing course is all about learning technical skills. All students who enrol in a fashion and apparel design course are taught pattern making. They learn how to draft, drape and adjust patterns to different body types and styles. This helps learn precision, body measurement accuracy and problem-solving skills. Pattern makers often work in collaboration with designers and manufacturers. With the right technical knowledge, the finished garment is produced faster.
Reduced Fabric Waste
When pattern making is done correctly, fabric wastage is minimised as different pieces are cut in such a way so that they can be designed together. A lot of designers these days are practicing zero waste pattern-making techniques. This maximises fabric utilisation, minimises wastage and enhances sustainability. Further, digital pattern making can be done to reduce paper wastage.
Students Gain a Deeper Understanding of Garment Construction
Pattern making is a large part of the sewing process and if students want to excel in garment construction, learning the skill is important. A deep understanding of pattern making also allows individual designers to meet the unique requirements of their customers. It makes garment customisation and prototyping easier.
Final Words
Only private design colleges in India include pattern making in their curriculum. When you pursue a BSc in Fashion Designing course, pattern making is a separate module. Students who want to become successful fashion designers should learn the art of pattern making. No matter which field of fashion designing you foray into, the skill is essential. To find out which fashion designing course is apt for you, visit https://www.voguefashioninstitute.com/fashion-design-courses/.
