Discover everything you ever wanted to know about patternmaking that will hit the nail on the head for you !

Aren't you tired of clothes that don't fit. Too wide at the waist, too tight at the bust, too long in the sleeve, too this and that !!. It is a real pain going from shop to shop to try and find something that actually is in your 'so-called size' let alone something you like!

You may have had a go at making your own clothes using commercial patterns and experienced the frustration of trying to work out the lines and then nervously trying it on only to find it doesnt FIT and even if you do alter and adjust the fabric is ruined and the joy has gone out of the project.

Or you may have been to a dressmaker and you find out they want 6-7 fittings and even then you don't feel confident of their professional skills so you finally go and buy the suit you like and pay a zillion dollars for alterations. It is SO disappointing and indeed depressing not being able to express your creative ideas in the clothes you wear.

Imagine being able to create a design and draft the pattern exactly to your measurements in the fabric of your choice and KNOW that you are going to have a well fitting garment that you LOVE to wear that looks professional and is a one-off!! It seems too much to expect.

The good news is that YES you can do it with the SITAM AB Simplified Pattern Construction Method. It can quickly and effectively solve your frustration and allow you to confidently draft your own patterns to your own measurements and know you will fit your body shape and then develop the design lines for your own creative styles.

Now I know you are probably skeptical as you have tried all sorts of miracle patternmaking courses which haven't worked and tools and gadgets and computers. So it's normal and healthy to feel that way, but I would really like to explain to you why we get such excellent results in the College of Fashion Design with full time part time and Distance Learning

Let me give you three good reasons to believe what I say about the SITAM AB Patterndrafting system

Reason one: The yellow AB sizing template you receive has marked out the proportional sizing for your body size in scales and enables you to draft, bodices, skirts,trousers and most importantly dresses. You also receive an instructional manual and/or CD which clearly explains how to develop the design lines for a range of representative patterns and without a lot of mathematical formulas as they are all calcuated for you in the template. Your job is to make the patterns, not work out the maths.

Reason two: The SITAM AB template is based on half the chest measurement and you mark out the sizing for neck, armhole, sleeves and bust based so they are all in proportion. This Simplified Method means that within six months you can be drafting complex patterns which would traditionally take years to master.

Reason three. The way you take the body measurements is quite different to the standard sizing where the tape measure is taken horizontally around the bust. The bust in the SITAM AB system is taken with the tape measure high at the back so the chest bust difference becomes the dart for the fitting. Very clever!! This means there is a good fit at the shoulders and no extra fabric at the armhole. It also means that you dont have it baggy on the sides if you have a bigger bust. You can show off all your shape.

This is not a surfacey 'miracle' program that promises all and delivers little.This is a systematic method which requires initial practice with step by step exercises. The SITAM AB template will not magically do it for you - YOU take control of the patterns based on your own body measurements.

The results are immediate and very visable even from the first lesson and you will be pleasantly suprised when you try on your first practice toile and find it FITS. It is most encouraging and makes you want to do more.

The good thing is that the skills you are learning are recognised in Australia as the College of Fashion Design as a Registered Training Organisation is able to assess the projects you complete and issue accredited Certificates from Certificate 111 through to Advanced Diploma. The SITAM AB training tools are the basis of all our training at the College of Fashion Design both for pattern drafting, figure drawing and design development and achieve consistent outcomes Here is a summary of the benefits you receive if you enrol in a course of study for patternmaking . * the program is easy to understand which saves precious time as there is no long'study' period * you receive effective 'hands-on'training tools which last a lifetime and will not only save you money but make you money. * experience immediate application withpowerful results to restore your creative confidence. * apply the practical content at home , work or learning centre and be flexible with your learning program * follow the step by step projects and return your patterns with photos of you wearing your fitted bodice, or pants or dress to assess your results. * you can enrol at any time as the learning is self paced * discover your real potential as you gain success and know why things go wrong or don't work .

The good thing is you start with a new piece of paper for each design. What is it you really want to achieve? Whether it is the desire to make your own clothes for you and your family, or become more creative or set up a made to measure business or establish a global label - the important thing is to be able to make for your self so that people will know you are competent.

As Lorelle Downey, one of our Distance Learning students writes:

I must tell you how great your courses have been for me. Since starting the course not only has my wardrobe of clothes increased but my confidence and level of skills have increased as well. It's a lovely compliment when people notice and ask you about the clothes you wear. Also I am getting repeat work from a small client base which is growing. And the good thing is that I no longer need to purchase commercial patterns only to spend hours fitting and altering which saves me a lot of time and money I should point out that Lorelle apart from studying and running a business also has 10 children to look after. So don't tell me you are too busy to start. Pattern making is the keyto getting well fitting garments. Learning to sew and design is no use unless you can draft the pattern accurately to body measurements whether standard or individual and interpret the design lines

It s a bit like trying to build a house without a blueprint plan!

Melissa Tonkin believes SITAM AB has restored her confidence as a patternmaker She says.

After many frustrations and trying to learn patterndrafting at a TAFE College where I traced around cardboard blocks and then tried to make it fit me, I found my way to SITAM AB and would recommend this method to anyone who wants to be able to understand the fundamentals of block construction and pattern development - and that gives a great fit

You can begin your pattern drafting now and experience the same results. You may be thinking that it may be too difficult to understand, or you haven't got time but I can assure you will find it quite addictive once you start.

Jana Pearcevona, a Distance Learning student who now has a successful business in designing and making in Queensland says:

Learning with SITAM AB allowed me to improve my knoweldge about patter making, mainly how patterns relate to the body form posture and proportins. I appreciated how well the drafted pattern pieces fit with little or no adjusting needed. Even though it appeared a bit daunting to study by correspondence (English is my second language) I foudn SITAM AB to be a well designed and self paced program and I recommend it to everyone who is particular about making well fitted clothes. YOUR INVESTMENT There are two enrolment options if you want to complete the pattern drafting unit, 06A Constructing Pattern which is a major unit in the Certificate IV in Clothing Production.Blocks"

OPTION A This option includes includes the multi media CD as well as manual and template and rulers. This teaching tool is outstanding and I would recommend it for Distance Learning. Once it is loaded onto your CD, is a lifelong licence and you never get tired of it. We have found it a powerful tutoring tool especially as it is like a Hollywood movie as you watch the template move around the screen step by step for each pattern block. It is a visual treat and makes it easy for you to follow along with your pattern paper and template' The patternmaking procedures in this CD come alive and it is material that will never go out of date. You still send in patterns and photos after completing the projects to record your progress for your final Statement of Attainment.

The fee for the the CD, template,instructional manual, long ruler, curved ruler , flexi ruler is $1800. (payable up front.)

OPTION B

We understand that not everybody is computer friendly and after all books are still in fashion so this option is available without the CD. It includes the AB template, instructional manual, flexiruler,curved ruler, long ruler but no CD. You use the manual only to work through your projects . You still send in the patterns and photos for assessment. The cost for this is $950 .(payable up front)

While you may say I'll go for Option B and get the CD later, remember there is a 30% discount if you buy the CD as part of the accredited unit.In addition you have to pay GST if you purchase it separately.So if you can acquire the CD with OPtion A you will save money as well as be greatly assisted with your learning . You will never regret it.

Of course the really smart thing to do is to enrol in the whole Certificate IV in Clothing Production for $3800 and you receive both the Pattern Construction CD and the Fashion Design CD as well as the training manuals and templates and you can pay in installments Contact me now to get started with your patterndrafting with SITAM AB 'Simplified Pattern Construction AND receive a recognised qualification and on-going support. I look forward to hearing from you on

Telephone 03 9417 5214 or email ros@fashionskills4u.com

Look up our website and see some of the clothes our students both Distance learners and full time have made.