well-suited blog - fashion design, illustration, pattern making.

My Drape Pattern Making Method

Tuesday, February 06, 2018

The origins of my passion for creative pattern making start way back in 1980 when I first went to fashion college. It was at this time that I was introduced to an amazing pattern making book that just lit up my brain. Natalie Bray's technical diagrams leapt off the page and made immediate sense to me. I could hardly contain my excitement at the potential of pattern making. To this end I believe I was quite the pesky student in our pattern making classes. The student with 20 questions every session, that drove the pattern making teacher crazy. You'll find Natalie's books on all the usual book selling sites and the prices vary dramatically, so do your research. Keep Reading...

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Stretch Skirt Block and Design Options

Tuesday, April 04, 2017

Following on from the Skirt Block and Design Options post I've separated skirt designs that use a stretch skirt block to start your pattern development. You can use my skirt block to make a stretch skirt block to use with all these pattern puzzle posts. Some of them have been sampled and those sample posts are also included here. Keep Reading...

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Drape Skirt Patterns using my Skirt Block

Monday, February 27, 2017

Moving beyond your first skirt patterns to drape skirt patterns: To work with these more complex skirt patterns you would need to have confidence in your skirt block. By that I mean you know if fits because you've used it to make number of skirt patterns. A small fitting or shape error in your basic skirt block will have some impact on outcome of these skirts. Try my graded set of skirt blocks for any of these delicious drape skirt patterns. Or you can try this pattern for yourself. You'll find my Drape Gather Skirt Sizes 6-22 on the website as a PDF download.
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Pattern Puzzle - Rectangle Drape Skirt

Saturday, April 23, 2016

For this #PatternPuzzle post you have an elegant Drape Skirt that can be cut from a basic skirt block or any pencil skirt pattern. My Skirt Block is now available here as a PDF download. I've included some interesting seaming that works well with the drape feature that's included in the front left skirt.

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Pattern Fundamentals - Drape Skirt II

Friday, September 25, 2015

There have been a few of this variety of skirt gracing the catwalk for the past couple of years. I have also cut similar for local clients and the beauty of this design is it's simplicity for a first attempt at cutting drape patterns. The drape shape is in fact separate to the front and back patterns and acts as a decorative overlay for the front skirt. Start with my Skirt Block and follow the pattern making instructions in this post. Suggested fabrics: Crepe weaves with a transparent overlay for the front drape or a satin backed crepe where you are able to reveal the satin back in the cowl of the drape. If you are interested in Drape Skirt Patterns you can click through to our dedicated workshop and check out the detail.

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Fittings First - An Integrated Approach to Pattern Making

Wednesday, September 02, 2015

I have made an info-graphic to show you all what I've been up to with the workshop line-up here at the studio. Now I hear you say 'What's that to me? I live on the other side of the world! :( So to elaborate; the teaching materials I intend for the website (e-learning) are derived from the workbooks I make for each of the workshops I run here at the studio. The content and integration of that content becomes even more important when considering its use as online teaching materials. As a first step I've added my garment blocks to the website as PDF downloads.

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Pattern Puzzle - CJ Drape Skirt

Tuesday, June 09, 2015

What a week ! A brand new set of workshops for Personal Block Development, and an amazing group of students with some surprising things to say. Firstly the new workshops: they're an addition to the existing program at Studio Faro and extend the scope of the basic and advanced pattern making workshops. They're focussed on allowing individuals the time and space needed to perfect their own block fit, before making the first fit toile. It's so disappointing and risky to attempt pattern making with an ill-fitting block. For fans not able to come to these classes I've added all my garment blocks to the website as PDF downloads.

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Pattern Puzzle - Drape Skirt

Monday, March 23, 2015

This week's #PatternPuzzle is the simplest addition to a classic pencil skirt. With the introduction of a front left side panel you are able to include the drape shape easily around the waist and into the panel seam.

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Pattern Fundamentals - Stretch Skirt Block

Monday, August 25, 2014

This is the very first of our #PatternFundamentals that will occasionally interrupt the regular #PatternPuzzles. We are hoping to give you all the opportunity to prepare the necessary blocks to make better use of our Pattern Making instructions on the blog. Keep Reading...

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Pattern Puzzle - The Japan Skirt - no block required!

Monday, August 11, 2014

The Japan Skirt - Self-drafted Pattern. Rectangle skirts are nothing new. What maybe new is the way you work your rectangle. This particular pattern has been hanging on my pattern rail for at least 8 years. Originally developed for merino ponti, grading up and down in sizes allows you to cut this pattern in a variety of knit and woven fabrics. Keep Reading...