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Design Enterprises of SF

A Demonstration of
How to Make Sewing Patterns
by Donald McCunn

This demonstration provides an overview of the approarch used to create a basic pattern as described in How To Make Sewing Patterns. The specific steps have been simplified for this demonstration.

1. The Center Front & Waist Line
Body showing Center Front and Waist Lines Pattern with Center Front and Waist Lines Pattern with Center Front length
The Center Front and Waist Lines of the body are the two basic reference lines used to created patterns.
  1. On a sheet of paper, draw two lines at right angles.
  2. On the body, measure down the Center Front line from the neck to the waist. Mark this length on the Center Front line.
2. The Side Front Line
Body showing Side Front line Pattern with Center Front to Side Front width Pattern with Side Front length
The Side Front Line establishes the location of the shoulder seam at the neck.
  1. On the body, measure from the Center Front line to the side of the neck and draw the Side Front Line at this location.
  2. On the body, measure from the Shoulder Seam at the neck to the Waist and mark this length on the Side Front Line.
3. The Shoulder Seam
Body showing Shoulder Width Pattern with Center Front to Shoulder width Pattern with Waist to Shoulder
The Shoulder Seam can now be completed.
  1. On the body, measure from the Center Front Line to the outside of the Shoulder Seam. Draw the Shoulder Width line at this distance.
  2. On the body, measure from the Center Front at the Waist to the Shoulder Seam. Mark this distance on the Shoulder Width and draw in the Shoulder Seam.
4. The Width of the Body
Body showing width of Bust and Waist Pattern with Bust width Pattern with Waist width
To establish the Side Seam, determine the width of the body.
  1. On the body at the bust, measure from the Center Front to the Side Seam. Draw the Bust Width Line at this distance.
  2. On the body at the waist, measure from the Center Front to the Side Seam. Make a mark on the Waist Line at this point.
5. The Side Seam
Body showing Side Seam Pattern with Side Seam length Pattern with Side Seam
The length of the Side Seam can now be determined.
  1. On the Waist Line, find a point half way between the Bust Width and the side of the Waist. Measure up the length of the Side Seam and make a mark on the Bust Width Line.
  2. Draw in the Side Seam.
6. The Neck & Armsceye Curves
Body showing Neck and Armsceye Curves Pattern with Neck and Armsceye Curves  
To complete the pattern, draw in the Neck and Armsceye Curves.
  1. The pattern can now be cut out and fitted to determine the exact contours of the body.

    Model: Christina Marie

Copyright © 2004 by Donald H. McCunn