Example Complete Set of Basic Blocks
These pages listed in the Blocks Menu contain Information for making your own blocks, taking measurements to make those blocks, and there are also some downloadable blocks that can be purchased. See below for a more detailed summary of what these pages offer, or use the Blocks menu to go directly to those pages.
Measuring For & Making Blocks
Bodice Front Measurements
The Measuring for Blocks & Making Blocks pages will give you all the information and step-by-step directions you need to create your own blocks. These instructions include not only the basic set of Bodice, Sleeve & Skirt, but also others such as Pants, Torso and Extended Line Dress.
There is also a free downloadable Measurements Chart (PDF file) for you to fill in to assist in making your Blocks. For those who don’t want to make their own blocks but want to practice and learn the principles of patternmaking, there is a set of Third Scale Blocks so you can practice the exercises in third scale to save paper and desk space. Some of the instructions are also available to download as a PDF file; check at the bottom of each Instructions Page to see if there is a downloadable file.
Purchasing Blocks
Example of blocks available from Ko-Fi shop
You can also choose to purchase some Blocks if you prefer; see the Shop pages for the link that will take you to my Block Ko-Fi shop. The sizes of these blocks are similar to standard Commercial Pattern sizes and Commercial Clothing, and come in sizes 6 to 22. The Shop has all the relevant sizing information you need; i.e. a detailed list of measurements for each Blocks.
Why Purchase Blocks when there are Instructions to Make Your Own?
Example pages from downloadable block
If Commercial Patterns or clothing in stores fit you pretty well, and you don’t want to spend the time making your block from scratch, then you could use these blocks instead; some small adjustments may be required. I will eventually write instructions for making pattern adjustments in the Fitting Issues pages, but until then you will need to find that information elsewhere.
The downloadable Blocks sold on this website can be printed on A4 or Letter paper on your own printer. There are instructions on the website on how to create a block out of these downloadable blocks (you will need to supply your own Patternmaking Paper).
Make sure you choose the correct paper size for your country; you obviously should not scale the content to fit the paper or the block will not be to scale.
There is a Sample Block you can download so that you will be very clear on what you are purchasing. I suggest you download and assemble/create the sample block before you purchase any blocks.
Suggested Reading:
If you have reached this page and don’t know what a Block is, the following articles will help you:
Thank you very much, Maria, for this fine information. I used your sleeve block drafting instructions extensively to help me along my sleeve journey. I have a Beatrice custom dress form, and have draped and fitted a bodice block for woven fabrics. With my sleeve block in hand, I am very excited to go forward making my own garment patterns. There is a decent amount of drafting information out there, but not much indicates what to do, for example, if our sleeve caps end up being larger than our well-fitting armholes – yours suited my needs wonderfully and I am so happy that you mentioned a dart in the cap, among many other things. I appreciate your generosity, and will return often to see what else you have that I might need to purchase for my journey.
Hi there, two days ago I was using the written instructions for drafting the front bodice block and now the site says that pages doesn’t exist. Is there a way to find those written instructions, videos are not an option for me. Thanks.
Today I moved my website from one content management system to another. I have had a number of problems and it looks like it may take me a few weeks to sort them out. The pages you mention are are still there, they will just have a different path. If you use the menu you can still find those pages. (Having said that, only the menu on desktops work at the moment. The menus on tablets and phones are not opening. One of the issues I still have to fix and may take a few days)…..
3 Responses
Thank you very much, Maria, for this fine information. I used your sleeve block drafting instructions extensively to help me along my sleeve journey. I have a Beatrice custom dress form, and have draped and fitted a bodice block for woven fabrics. With my sleeve block in hand, I am very excited to go forward making my own garment patterns. There is a decent amount of drafting information out there, but not much indicates what to do, for example, if our sleeve caps end up being larger than our well-fitting armholes – yours suited my needs wonderfully and I am so happy that you mentioned a dart in the cap, among many other things. I appreciate your generosity, and will return often to see what else you have that I might need to purchase for my journey.
Hi there, two days ago I was using the written instructions for drafting the front bodice block and now the site says that pages doesn’t exist. Is there a way to find those written instructions, videos are not an option for me. Thanks.
Today I moved my website from one content management system to another. I have had a number of problems and it looks like it may take me a few weeks to sort them out. The pages you mention are are still there, they will just have a different path. If you use the menu you can still find those pages. (Having said that, only the menu on desktops work at the moment. The menus on tablets and phones are not opening. One of the issues I still have to fix and may take a few days)…..