Project Patterns

Introduction to Pattern Cutting

blocks garment construction Pattern cutting pattern drafting product development
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The Introduction to Pattern Cutting course will equip you with a solid foundation to build your pattern cutting knowledge on. You will get to grips with what pattern cutting is and how it works. You will learn what blocks are and how to use them, and learn some key skills that you will need to draft patterns including adding seam allowance, how to mark notches and what information your patterns need on them. This course is the first and introductory course of the Pattern Cutting Fundamentals Course Series, covering essential beginner pattern cutting knowledge and techniques, that will be taught by instructor Kathryn Roberts on MOTIF.

Beginner
2 hours
$80
All prices in USD. Provides access to the course and all its updates for 6 months from date of purchase.
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Discovery Plan

A month long taster
$ 99 / month
  • Access 1 new course per month for free*
    + extend access to all previously purchased courses
  • Event Pass Taster
    Free access to any open Learning Series event**
     
  • Completion Certificate awarded for all completed courses
     
     
     
     
Subscribe & Pick Your Course!
NEW!

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Focus your learning
$ 399 / 6 months
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1-Year All-Access

Grow with the MOTIF Community
$ 680 / year
  • Access ALL 15+ courses
    + instant access to every new course
  • Full Event Pass
    A year's worth of Learning Series events
  • Completion Certificate awarded for all completed courses
  • Everything else on motif.org
Gain Instant Access
Best value

Discovery Plan

A month long taster
$ 99
/ month
  • Access 1 new course per month for free*
    + extend access to all previously purchased courses
  • Learning Series Pass Taster
    Free access to any opened Learning Series event**
  • Completion Certificate awarded for all completed courses
     
     
     
     
Subscribe & Pick Your Course!
NEW!

6-Month All-Access

Focus your learning
$ 399
/ 6 months
  • Access ALL 15+ courses
    + instant access to every new course
  • ½ Learning Series Pass
    6-month worth of Learning Series events
  • Completion Certificate awarded for all completed courses
  • Everything else on motif.org
Gain Instant Access
New!

1-Year All-Access

Grow with the MOTIF Community
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$ 510
for the 1st year, then $680 / year;
available for individual subscription purchase only
until Jan 5 2022.
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    + instant access to every new course
  • Full Learning Series Pass
    A year's worth of Learning Series events
  • Completion Certificate awarded for all completed courses
  • Everything else on motif.org
Upgrade to 1-Year All-Access
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Notes, Terms & Conditions

You can cancel your subscription at any time during your plan term and deactivate its auto-renewal.
The discovery plan is not eligible to corporate team packages & volume discounts.
* During the first 3 months of subscription under this plan, you may choose any available course under $200. From the 4th month onward, you choose from any available course in the catalogue.
** MOTIF will organize at 6-8 Learning Series events per year but cannot guarantee one will be opened for registration during every single discovery plan month. Free tickets are also subject to seat availability and event capacity.
The Discovery Plan is non-refundable and non-transferable. By purchasing the Discovery Plan, you agree to MOTIF’s Privacy and Terms & Conditions of Use.
You can cancel your subscription at any time during your plan term and deactivate its auto-renewal.
The discovery plan is not eligible to corporate team packages & volume discounts.
* Free tickets are subject to seat availability and event capacity.
The All-Access Pass is non-refundable and non-transferable. By purchasing the All-Access Pass, you agree to MOTIF’s Privacy and Terms & Conditions of Use.
You can cancel your subscription at any time during your plan term and deactivate its auto-renewal.
* Free tickets are subject to seat availability and event capacity.
The All-Access Pass is non-refundable and non-transferable. By purchasing the All-Access Pass, you agree to MOTIF’s Privacy and Terms & Conditions of Use.

Who, How & What

Who is it for?

Junior Pattern Cutters, Garment Technicians or entry level Fashion Graduates, working in brands and retailers or clothing manufacturers, or working as freelancers/independents.
Learners must have a basic understanding of garment construction, e.g. have some sewing experience.

How will you learn?

This highly practical self-paced course includes video demonstrations and instructions as well as worksheets, quizzes and discussions. This course also supplies half scale downloadables to follow along that will ease your learning journey and enhance your learning experience. An in-course glossary at the learner's fingertips facilitates the understanding of technical terms.

All participants who successfully complete the course will receive a Project Patterns Certificate of Completion.

What will you learn?

By the end of the course, learners will:

1. Understand what Pattern Cutting is, know the anatomy of a pattern as well as key pattern cutting terms and definitions

2. Understand what Blocks are and how they are used

3. Be familiar with specialist pattern cutting tools and how to create notches, drill holes and seam allowances

4. Know how to label their pattern.

Online course Detailed outline

Expand all modules Collapse all modules

Module 1: What is Pattern Cutting? Free trial

In this module we’re going to take a closer closer look at what pattern cutting is and why it’s important for garment construction. Learn about some of the specialist tools needed and get to grips with the relationship between our 2D pattern and the 3D garment.

  • 1.1 What is a Pattern?
  • 1.2 Tools of the Trade
  • 1.3 Pattern Anatomy
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Module 2: Flat Pattern Cutting Explained

In this module we’ll take a closer look at how flat pattern cutting works, what blocks are and how we use them as a starting point for new patterns.
You’ll also learn some key words and phrases and some golden rules to follow when making patterns.

  • 2.1 How Does it Work?
  • 2.2 What is a Block? Looking at Blocks
  • 2.3 Things to Keep in Mind
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Module 3: Adding the Finishing Touches

This module is all about learning some key skills that you’ll need to finalise your patterns. Test out the specialist tools to add seam allowance, notches, drill holes and pattern information.

  • 3.1 Adding Seam Allowance
  • 3.2 Dart Underlays
  • 3.3 Notches and Drill Holes
  • 3.4 Piece Information and Checklist
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Kathryn Roberts

Course Instructor

Kathryn is a London based pattern cutter with over 8 years of industry experience working for both luxury brands such as Peter Pilotto and Emila Wickstead as well as high street mega brands including Topshop, Ted Baker and River Island.
She is the founder and teacher of Project Patterns, an online space which she created to share her love and enthusiasm for all things pattern cutting related. She is also one half of the popular podcast Fashion Half Cut.

About Project Patterns

Project Patterns is an education platform focusing on opening up the world of pattern cutting.
Starting as a humble blog in 2018 the business has grown into a learning platform offering free pattern cutting resources, online courses, one to one tuition and in person workshops around the UK. Their mission is to demystify the art of pattern cutting for industry professionals, small business owners and sewers.

Read more about Project Patterns.

FAQ

Yes, you need to feel confident with your basic sewing skills.

This course focuses on Womenswear, but the techniques like dart rotation and slash & spread can be used in menswear too.

No, I provide free half scale blocks as part of this course for you to practice with.

No, this course focuses on what to do with your blocks after you’ve bought or drafted them.

Pattern Ruler (Pattern Master, Set Square, French Curve etc are all fine)
Pattern Paper (or something similar)
Mechanical/Sharp Pencil
Paper Scissors
Glue
Scotch Tape or Masking Tape
Tape Measure
Calculator
Pattern Notcher
Pattern Drill
Tracing Wheel
Half scale block (provided with the course)

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