Pattern Cutting

Very useful book for anyone seeking to make their own patterns

I am a home sewer teaching myself pattern drafting and fitting through books and online material. I have a modest number of pattern drafting books, and all of them have some useful material, but there is always something missing that will drive me to go buy another book. I got the first edition of this book from a library, and liked it very much. While considering buying it I saw on the publisher’s website that this 2nd edition was coming soon, so I decided to wait for it before buying, and I’m glad I did. The j2nd editions I instructions on measuring a person for patten fitting, with the accompanying videos, are the clearest and most confidence-boosting ones I have found yet. I have successfully drafted a bodice block that fits me using the drafting instructions in this book, after several fails with other books. All in all I am quite pleased with this book. So far I have only found one thing I don’t understand, which is the instructions and diagrams for sewing an inseam pocket (pg 233). I’m sure another video showing the construction would clear it all up, but so far I just can’t puzzle out the details using the diagrams provided. Maybe a glossary for the terms used would be useful as well. Aside from these details, this book has been extremely helpful to me, and the added content in the 2nd edition makes it a better choice than the 1st edition.

The detail and video about measurement are the best I have seen. Well worth the price. SOme lovely designs at the end of the book. I will use this !

Measurements required with no instructions to take them in the first place. Redundancies galore. Terrible explanations. Terms missing from the glossary.Maybe this is good if you’re in a school setting with a teacher trained by the author himself. But otherwise, this book is pretty much useless if you want to make your own clothes. Possibly perfect if you want to make clothes for a dress form, but then what is the point.Save your money, do research from internet videos.

Great for beginners step by step instructions

The book looks and reads like any other pattern making book. What sets this one apart, however, is the included videos. There are groups of QR codes throughout the book that will take you to videos hosted on vimeo (you don't have to have an account to watch them). There is additional info discussed in the videos that isn't in the book and they are worth watching. You can even draft patterns along side the host. It's really a video course with an accompanying textbook. A really good resource for visual learners.

Very good detailed information. It has been a great help to me, and I am using it a lot. Excellent book, was a recommendation and now I recommend it 100%.

The videos are difficult to get to.

Just what a beginner to pattern design and cutting needs