How to Make Your Own Sewing Patterns

by Donald H. McCunn

Book Overview

This book tells you how to make a basic pattern, how to do pattern alterations, how to make historical costumes for the stage, and how to create original designs. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0883652609
• ISBN13: 9780883652602
• Release Date: January 1975
• Publisher: Galahad Books
• Length: 301 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.

Customer Reviews

This Book is AWESOME!!!

Great Book. This book takes all of the guess work out of pattern drafting. It is also very easy to follow. It teaches you how to first draft the basic patterns, then it explains how to incorporate different designs into your patterns. This is a must-have for the person who is tired of buying commercials patterns that do not fit. You will gain a better understanding of commercial pattern design and how to alter them by reading this book.

Great Reference a Must Have for every seamstress/designer

This is one of the BEST sewing investments I've ever made!! This book is absolutely wonderful. It is soooo easy to follow!! I'm simply thrilled with what I have accomplished. I have bought so many pattern books, trying to understand how to alter the commercial patterns to fit my body--even bought those "BASIC" commercial design patterns to try to help with fit, etc...Never could get any of it to fit my body right, couldn't get the bodice to fit my stomach and breast area, couldn't get the skirt to fit the hips and thighs and on and on...but with this little treasure, I've been able to DRAFT my own BASIC pattern and it actually fits and I understand why I'm doing WHAT I'm doing. Granted, there is some study time involved, but it is relatively easy so far. If you're wanting to create patterns that fit your unique body, I would consider this a great buy. I've been sewing for years (and am self taught) and I would trade in a boatload of my other reference for this one. I'm thrilled and wonder why I've never seen it before now. Rhonda --Atlanta, GA

The ONLY Patterns-from-Scratch Book You'll Ever Need!

Other books that allegedly enable you to draft your own patterns all turn out to be either how to BUY a commercial pattern & then alter it to make other designs, or else they only enable you to make clothing for the perfectly portioned body, which few of us have. A third alternative is that some books teach you to make shapeless "sack" clothing without much style. Almost all of these books require that you have a partner to help measure yourself and later to help fit the basic patterns to your body. THAT IS NOT THE CASE WITH MR. McCUNN'S WONDERFUL BOOK! He starts out by showing you how to measure yourself accurately without any helpers. Then he takes you step-by-step through how to draft the basic patterns from your own measurements. He does NOT give tables of measurements for putting darts in, since the tables don't work for anyone without a "perfect" body. Instead, he explains how to custom fit the basic skirt, pants, bodice, & sleeve patterns to your own body, even if you don't have a "fitting buddy." And if that isn't enough, he includes instructions on how to design your own clothing styles (or copy those you see in the stores) and then change your basic patterns to make those styles. He expands on this to show how to make waistbands & cuffs, pockets & plackets, jackets & coats, and even how to make & fit a man's suit. (Yes, this book even has info on making basic patterns for MEN, not just women.) There is also discussion of how to choose the correct fabric for your style. As a bonus, he explains how to take your perfectly-fitted basic patterns and turn them into a "fitting dummy" that mirrors your own body perfectly! This is one of the most complete books on pattern drafting that I've seen, outside of college texts. (And those texts aren't of much use to the home seamstress, due to their emphasis on standard sizing.) If you can do it to a pattern or fabric, this book has it! This is the ONLY book I've found that truly teaches you to make your own sewing patterns FROM SCRATCH, without having to buy a commercial pattern as a starting point. Each section builds on the last, so don't start in the middle. This book is the ONLY book I've found that let me make patterns and clothing that actually fit me! There are no color pics, but PLENTY of black and white line drawings and diagrams illustrate each step, so it is easy to read & see each step of the process. If you're serious about making your own patterns, you'll LOVE this book!

McCunn Rocks!

This book was the answer to my dilemma. I've been trying to make a pattern for my mother who is severely deformed with osteoporsis. This book answered all my questions. It's a must for anyone trying to sew for someone without "perfect" proportions.