Pattern Cutting/Pattern Drafting – and a self-drafted dress!
YO.
In September I signed up for a ten week pattern cutting course at a local college. It wasn’t the first time I’ve been on one of these courses – back before Baba Tweedie came along I was part-way through my first pattern-cutting course, in which I had drafted a dress inspired by Kim Novak’s black dress in Vertigo. I never finished the dress (you can read about my pattern drafting for it here), because by the end of term I was pregnant, and there is no way I was going to continue making a corset!
Anyway, when September this year rolled around I wanted to start something new. The first few weeks of the course were spent drafting and making a toile of a bodice block, to use as a starting point for basically any pattern I wanted to design afterwards. Once the block was done, I was ready to go.
Now I don’t mean to blow my own trumpet, here, but I am confident sewing from pretty much any commercial dress pattern. Therefore, in order to get the most value from my course, and to challenge myself, I wanted to design something unusual, and something that I hadn’t seen before. I’m not so naïve as to think that this design has never been seen anywhere before, but it certainly isn’t something I have come across, certainly not all the elements combined together.
I wanted a V-neck, diamond inset front bodice with gathering over the bust. I wanted a cut-out back. I wanted to be able to wear a bra underneath. I wanted a circle skirt. So that’s what I designed, and, four toiles later (I’ll spare you the details), that’s what I made! The fabric is satin. I will let the photos speak for themselves. Let me know what you think!
My self-drafted dress – front view
With Irregular Choice red heels
Mid-twirl
Cut-out back, and bow-shaped, erm, ‘neck bit’?! (Pleated in the middle)
Side-on view
Another front view
Another back view
Another side view
Slightly closer
I am so proud of this dress!
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And you should be proud. You’ve done pretty well on this dress. Looks great!
Thank you. It isn’t 100% perfect, but I’m very happy with it.
It looks such a good fit, well done! Hope I can get this good at some point.
Just keep practising! And come back to one of Debbie’s classes 😉
I was thinking of signing up again in January actually! Which night of the week are you going?
That would be great! I haven’t enrolled yet, but I would hope to go to the Wednesday class.
I’ll have a look when I get home then – for some silly reason I thought spending the Christmas holidays up and down the country was a good idea!
It would be nice to see you!
And you!
All booked in for next Wed!
Excellent! Hopefully there is space left for me. I’m going to enrol tomorrow!
Absolutely divine!
Thanks Janene!
That’s really amazing, I love all the little details!
Thank you. Me too!
Absolutely stunning! What a fantastic dress!
Thank you. I’m so pleased with it.
This is absolutely bloody gorgeous! Fits perfectly and you look stunning. But can you drink CIDERRRRR! in it?
You betcha lady!!! 🙂
You should be proud of this dress – it looks bloody brilliant!
Thank you! Going to wear for New Year I reckon!
That looks so amazing. I’m thinking of doing a pattern cutting class but I’m a bit intimidated by the maths (not my best skill). Did you learn to make a customised block on the course, or did they teach using a standard size block?
We made a customised block. If you just take it one step at a time, with guidance from someone more experienced, you’d be surprised at what you can learn. It isn’t easy but it’s SO worthwhile. Even if it just boosts your confidence with commercial sewing patterns.
Wow, that is one hot dress. You should be very proud of this dress. So many beautiful elements. I haven’t seen a pattern like this before so is unique to me. Any chance you’d publish this pattern?????? I’d give good money for it 😉
Aaaw thank you so much. I love the idea of copywriting it, selling it etc but I have absolutely no idea where to start!!
It’s as good or even better than the commercial patterns you’ve shown us. Lots of details in one dress – excellent!
Thanks Anne! You are kind.
This dress is a beaut! Great job on drafting it yourself and then sewing it up perfectly as well! 🙂
Thank you. Finally getting to sew it after all the head scratching was utterly exhilarating 🙂
Beautiful! Love the bow at the back, great design.
Thank you so much! 🙂
It’s absolutely gorgeous. You definitely should be proud.
Thank you! Hope you and your family are well.
Thank you. Same to you. Happy holidays!
Wow, good on you! I can imagine that drafting the gathers into the inset was no mean feat, but the end result looks great! I love it when a plan comes together 😀
That was the hardest part, definitely. I nearly gave up. In fact one week I brought something completely different to class because I couldn’t stand any more alterations, LOL! But I’m so glad I persevered.
Congratulations this is stunning!! Sounds like the course was well worth it and you’ve learnt a lot. Twirl away!
Thank you. I definitely did learn a lot. I’m going to enrol again for next term I think!
Gorgeous! You look fantastic. You should be very proud.
Thanks Liza Jane!
Wow! Super stunning! Worth all the effort and work, it’s amazing!
Thanks, definitely worth the hard work 🙂
Pretty dress, it looks great on you! How did you find the bow back/cut out thingy? I’ve always wanted to try that but haven’t gotten around to it.
It was easy – it was the front that caused all the fitting problems!
Well there’s not much to say that hasn’t already been said by the other commentors, but I love that dress! It’s stunning. i also love your fabric choice and the back detail. Very well done!!
Thank you! The fabric was from Barrys in Birmingham. I got it when I went on a sewing bloggers meet up earlier in the year 🙂
You have good reason to be proud–it looks great! I love all of the little details, and it fits you so well!
Thank you very much!
I love it! What a fabulous party dress, and so many elements to be proud of
Thank you 🙂
You should be really proud of this dress. It’s beautiful!!!!
Thanks Stephanie!
Oh, this is gorgeous! I love the details on the bodice and back. And four toiles – I admire your dedication!
I came so close to giving up – I thought I’d never get the front right! Glad I carried on with it now though 🙂
This is fabulous! Great job! This really looks amazing!
Thanks Sonja 🙂
Very cool! I love the front gathers.
Thanks. The front was the trickiest part to get right fitting-wise!
What a fabulous dress. The fit is perfect and the style really suits you.
Thanks Sandra. I am very pleased with it. I need a wedding to go to now!
It’s amazing!! I recently finished my second self-drafted dress, so I can only guess how much work went into this one! It is absolutely stunning. So many details and they all go very well together and the fabric matches the pattern perfectly. I especially love the cut out back, which is even more amazing knowing you can wear a bra underneath. Absolutely wonderful!
Thank you so much. It definitely was tricky but a brilliant way to learn more and gain confidence. Oh and wearing a bra – very important to me!!! 🙂