Pattern Making from Existing Clothes

Pattern Drafting from Your Favorite Clothes (without cutting them up)

Description:
Have a favorite shirt that fits just right, or a well-loved skirt you wish you could make again? In this two-night, hands-on class, you’ll learn to draft a sewing pattern from clothes you already own, without taking them apart. On night one, you’ll practice the technique on small-scale pieces. On night two, you’ll bring your own garment and turn it into a pattern you can sew from again and again.

What You’ll Learn:

1. Reading a garment: spotting seams, darts, grainlines and how the pieces fit together
2. Tracing without taking it apart: copying each piece onto pattern paper while the garment stays intact
3. Marking your pattern: grainlines, notches, fold lines and labels so the pieces go back together correctly
4. Truing and blending: smoothing lines and checking that matching seams are the same length
5. Adding seam allowances: finishing your pieces so they’re ready to cut and sew

Format: You’ll learn through hands-on practice with Danielle, one of the owners of Nice Repair.

• Night 1: Learn and practice the technique on small-scale pieces.
• Night 2: Draft a full pattern from your own simple garment, with one-on-one guidance.

You’ll leave with a complete, ready-to-use pattern of your garment and the skills to copy more of your favorite clothes at home.

Time: Two evening sessions, 2 hours each

Cost: $100

Experience: Beginner+. No pattern-making experience needed. Basic sewing knowledge is helpful.

What to bring:

• Night 1: Nothing. All materials are provided.
• Night 2: One simple garment that fits you well, such as a T-shirt, tank top, pull-on skirt or elastic-waist pants. Simple shapes without linings, collars or lots of pieces work best. Your garment stays intact.

Provided by Nice Repair:

• Pattern paper
• Rulers and curves
• Pins and tracing tools
• Practice pieces for night one