2. HOW TO CREATE PATTERNS FROM EXISTING CLOTHING
DIY PATTERNS FOR EXISTING CLOTHING-
DIFFERENT METHODS
There are a few different methods for making your pattern. A simple knit
top can be copied by tracing directly on wax paper. The “pin-through”
technique works well for duplicating garments with multiple elements,
such as a jacket or blouse. With jeans, I find that tracing the various pieces
on silk organza works well. For whatever method you choose, here are a
few tips to help you to make a pattern from a piece of clothing, and you
don’t have to take it apart to do it!
ORIGINAL AND COPY
The original maker of the garment matched fabric weight and type with the
design, so for the best result you should also. Stretch denim results in a
different fit than regular denim, so if your original garment has stretch,
then the copy should as well. Both the original blue and the copy in black
are stretch denims, which let me maintain the close fitting style.
LABEL ALL YOUR PIECES
As you are making your pattern pieces, add the same type of markings you
find on commercial patterns. For example, note the places where seams
intersect, the end points for the collar as well as the buttonhole and pocket
placements. Label all your pieces, and make sure you add the grain lines.
After you trace the various pieces on a pair of pants, use the flexible ruler
to recreate the curve of the seams exactly. Lay the ruler on your pattern to
verify your tracing and make adjustments.
FINISHED PATTERN PIECES
You don’t need to trace an entire jacket or blouse, so run a thread line
along the centre back, creating pattern pieces you can use on the fold. It is
a good idea to compare your finished pattern pieces to both sides of the
garment to double check the dimensions, then make adjustments if any
piece is slightly off.
SEW MUSLIN
First make all your pattern pieces, and then sew a muslin to test the
accuracy of your pattern. If the garment you started with was not quite the
right size,copy it,after which you can do the fitting adjustments on your
muslin. Once you have the muslin fitting nicely, you can go back and make
the adjustments for size on your pattern pieces.
