The Best Place to Learn Digital Pattern Drafting: Pattern Workshop

Often times I will hear the question, "How did you learn to make patterns?".  While having over 30 years of sewing experience played a big part into it, I still didn't have a way of doing it easily without paper.  Honestly, I hated drafting with paper that kept rolling up on me and two cats who think that they need to be my paperweights.

Welcome Pattern Workshop by Lauren Dahl! (affiliate link)  I discovered this class not quite a year ago and it has changed everything!  I signed up for the class unsure if it was going to be worth the price, which for my budget was a little steep.  It has been worth every. single. penny.  And then some.

Not only does the course take you through learning the basics of using a vector drawing program and how it is applied to pattern making, there are also lessons about the testing process and how and where to market your patterns.  In addition to that, there is a wonderful Facbook group for class members and alumni.  The Facebook group is a fantastic place to connect with others, ask questions and find encouragement and motivation.  I know that Facebook groups can sometimes be filled with all sorts of "drama" and nonsense, but I promise you, Pattern Workshop is NOT like that.

In the past year I have released two patterns, and I have the third in testing right now.  (Stay tuned for that,  the big release is coming soon!)  I have connected with several other designers and sewists alike and have begun to build a network of friends who have been vital to the success of my patterns.

If you are someone who is interested in pattern design, or maybe you have been on the fence about taking a class, then you are in luck!  Kids Clothes Week blog did a feature on Lauren and the course and for a limited time you can enter to win a spot in the class.  There is also a coupon code listed there if you can't wait and want to jump right in.

So what are you waiting for?

Until next time, Happy Sewing!

Lauren's Flower Girl Dress - Finished!

A while back I posted about the flower girl dress that I have been working on for a friend's wedding.   The bride-to-be wanted a one shoulder design to go along with the bridesmaid dresses, but was having a hard time finding exactly what she wanted.  Long story short... she asked me to see if I could design something more like what she envisioned.  We conversed back and forth a bit and finally agreed upon a one shoulder design with a little strap on the other side to help hold it in place, because... well you know why. :)  This black ruffle elastic was perfect for the strap.

And I think the black sash is just what it needed to finish it off.

I love that I was able to draft the pattern from the little gal's measurements so that it will be a perfect fit for her.  I wouldn't have been able to do that without having taken the Pattern Workshop Course.  

Here is a side by side comparison of the real dress and the photoshop mock up of what I had planned.  I think I got it pretty close!  The skirt was intentionally longer and the sash was also planned to be different.    I think the fabric is almost, if not completely identical.

All in all, I am pretty proud of how awesome this dress turned out!  Satin charmeuse is NOT my favorite fabric to work with, but I pulled through.  I have to confess that I was a bit nervous sewing this kind of fabric and having two cats who think anytime the sewing room door is open that "kitty wonderland" is open for business.   It really is the perfect fabric for this dress.  It has such a wonderful light, flowing drape.  It just moves beautifully!

The skirt uses two pieces the full 60 inch width of the fabric minus just the selvages.  I was lucky enough that when it was gathered as full as it would go, it was an exact fit for the bottom of the bodice.  I couldn't have hoped for it to be any better than that!

I also made a little tiered, double layer cotton petticoat to go under it, which I think is just the exact right amount of pouf without being too much and without using that itchy tulle. Plus, added bonus, she can use the petticoat with other dresses because it is a separate piece.

I am so glad to be finished with the dress and I plan to try and get it to its rightful owner in the next few days.  The wedding is only a couple of weeks away!   This is a big check mark off of my list of things to do and I'm glad to have it done before I go on vacation next week. :)

What have you been working on?  I'd love to see!

Until next time, happy sewing!

Linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It Up Friday.

Lauren's Flower Girl Dress

A couple of years ago a friend asked me to make a flower girl dress for her wedding.  I did a quick photoshop mock up of the style she wanted using a photo of a similar style in a similar fabric so that she would have an idea of what it would look like when finished.  The sash will be different, but the fabric is similar.  She really wanted the one shoulder look because that is what the bridesmaids are wearing.  I talked her into letting me put a thin strap on the other shoulder, because, let's face it, little girls are not built like big girls and I was afraid that it would gap.  I bought some black ruffle elastic for that little strap which I think will be super cute!

Just as I was about ready to start cutting the fabric for the dress, she informed me that she had postponed her wedding.  Thankfully I had not begun cutting into the fabric yet!  And in retrospect, even more glad that the company from which I ordered the fabric accidentally filled my order twice!  When I contacted them about it, they told me to keep the extra yardage.  There is plenty of this satin damask print for a bigger size dress.

My original plan for this dress was to modify an existing pattern, per my usual MO back in those days.  However, since taking the Pattern Workshop course, I have decided that I might get a better fit by drafting it myself.

So, that is what I did this weekend.  I drafted the bodice and made a muslin.  I have yet to try it on the little gal to see how it fits.  I'm hoping it fits well on the first go, but we will see.

I also started work on a little ruffled, tiered, half slip for her to wear under her dress to add some fullness.  I thought about building a crinoline into the dress.  I realized, after thinking about it for a while, that a half slip might be more useful to them because she can wear it with other dresses as well.

I have been trying a technique I have not tried before.  Making the ruffles on my serger.  After having broken two needles trying this method, I think I might have figured it out.  I'm not sure that I am crazy about doing the ruffles this way, to be honest.  The gathered edge looks a bit too messy for my taste.  It is, however, considerably faster than the traditional method of gathering that I usually use.  Maybe I'm just too much of a traditionalist because I know this isn't a new technique, it's just one that I have never explored.

So, what about you?  What projects have you been working on this weekend?  What new things are you learning or trying?

Little By Little... Inch By Inch...

I'm sorry that I have been a little MIA from blogland lately.  I have been putting in a LOT of time working on my pattern.  Little by little, inch by inch, it's getting there.  Here is a little peek of it as a work in progress.

They aren't all pictured here, but  I now have all 13 sizes finished!  I have a few minor adjustments to make to some of the pieces.  I have been working on illustrations and instructions this week.  I feel sometimes that I am moving at a snail's pace, but I have to keep reminding myself that I am learning something new every time I open Inkscape and that the next time around it will go faster and easier because of what I have learned.  It goes back to the phrase "all beginnings are hard" which rings true once again for me.

I have now also sewn up two tests of the pattern and I am really pleased with the results.  I'm keeping the pattern a little bit of a secret as far as design goes for now, so I don't want to show the pictures JUST yet....  :)

I am hoping to be able to get into testing with it in a few weeks.  If you are interested in possibly testing the pattern out, please let me know and I will be in contact with you when I reach that point. It is a very simple pattern for girls in sizes 3m-10 years.

I have to say again, I could not have come this far if it weren't for Pattern Workshop. Thank you, Lauren!

Until next time,
Happy Sewing!

PS, Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It Up Friday and Simple Simon's Sewing Saturday because I FINISHED all 13 sizes.  It has taken me several weeks, but I'm finally there!