Archived (Superceded) Instructions: Pants Block
These pages contain my original pants block instructions (2018). These instructions work well for women who have close to a Standard Figure. I have since devised a system based on the thigh measurements. See the Blocks Menu for the video of my new instructions. The written instructions that accompany the video are for sale on […]
Archived (Superceded) Instructions – Bodice Block
Drafting the Bodice Block (Superceded Instructions) The are my original Bodice Block instructions from 2018. I have since refined my system, now based on the body arcs (Upper Bust Arc Front, Upper Bust Arc Back, Bust Arc Front & Bust Arc Back), which result in a better fit for most women. See the Blocks pages […]
Terminology
Terminology Terminology These pages contain not only the definition of patternmaking terminology, but images and specific examples. This is not a comprehensive list of patternmaking terminology, just the most common terminology and those I use in my examples and instructions throughout my website.
Amendment to Bodice Block Instructions
The YouTube Bodice Block Instructions uploaded to YouTube earlier this year contains a mistake (with a flow on effect). These written instructions that show you what the mistake is and how to fix it are a temporary stop-gap measure until I am able to remake those videos. If you use those instructions without making […]
Cap Height
Cap Height The Cap Height of the sleeve is from the shoulder tip to the underarm line. The underarm line is about 1.5cm below the armpit. See below for the examples of the Cap Height for a person’s body, and the Cap Height on a block or pattern. Note that the Cap Height on patterns […]
Ease in Bodice: Joseph-Armstrong
Ease in Bodice: Joseph-Armstrong In the article Why Upper Bust rather than Bust? the conclusions I come to are based what I see in other block making instructions. In that article, I state how much ease Aldrich & Armstrong’s block send up with at the level of the Bust and the Upper Bust, and therefore […]
Ease in Bodice: General
Ease in Bodice: General These explanations on block ease are for those people new to patternmaking and sewing, and may have the same problems I did understanding ease in the bust and at the underarm level. Important: In this article, I use the term Underarm Level in place of Upper Bust. They are the same […]
Ease in Bodice: Aldrich
Ease in Bodice: Aldrich In the article Why Upper Bust rather than Bust? the conclusions I come to are based what I see in other block making instructions. In that article, I state how much ease Aldrich & Armstrong’s block send up with across the Bust and the Upper Bust. This article is showing (proving) […]
French Curve
Tools & Equipment French Curve A French curve is used to draw curves at the armhole, neckline, curved darts, sleeve cap curves, and hip-line curve, etc. They are transparent and some come with a straight edge including a Seam Allowance Guide and Grading Rules. French curves come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Examples […]
Computer Equipment & Software
Tools & Equipment Computer Equipment For home sewers, wanting to make their own patterns for themselves, computer equipment isn’t essential. A computer and printer are useful for viewing, downloading and printing patternmaking information, or some basic patterns or blocks (i.e. from this or other websites), but all of the patterns on this website can be […]