Patternmaking Skills you will learn

The learning program is structured so that you begin in the first lesson to draft your own patterns to your own measurements using the SITAM AB training tools and sizing template. The learning materials you receive are one printbased instructional book with one sizing template for manual use as well as one long ruler and flexi-ruler.

Below you see the SITAM AB patterndrafting tool at work. This will become an invaluable work tool for you and will not only save a lot of money for you but will earn you a good income.

The foundational skill you learn is to draft a pattern block from a blank piece of paper to your body measurements to ensure that any future designs you draft will have a good fit and you will confidently draft pattern blocks for dartless bodice,sleeve, fitted bodice, dress block , new flat bodice, skirt block, trousers, collars

You will competently achieve this skill within six months !! You will also progressively learn to develop a range of garment styles based on specific block construction for many different blouses, skirts,trousers (including jeans) shirts, jackets, coats, capes and dresses for a wide range of complex pattern styles either in your sizing or in standard sizing.

Of course you may not like all the styles you draft but each pattern is designed to teach important procedures for all types of styles.

The good part begins in the second six months when you learn how to draft patterns for your OWN STYLES by learning to reference patterns in the Pattern Encyclopaedia and the Pattern COnstruction Manual so even in the first year you will be able to design and draft yoour own patterns as well as assemble four garments of your own design,made in your measurements. This is very exciting and you will see some of these student garments on the Student Design page of this website.

In the second year the focus is on drafting patterns for clients with advanced styling and you are able to enter into the Masters of Fashion competition which is held in June in Melbourne each year whether you are a full time on-site student or a distance learning student.

You also learn to draft patterns for industrial sizing and create a graded ready -wear range using the SITAM AB pattern grading tool which allows for internal increments to preserve the shape and style of the garment.

In the third year you will learn to use the TELESTIA PATTERN CREATION which is advanced pattern technology for computer assisted design. This means you can draft your patterns on screen using the electronic pattern template, store the pattern blocks or individual styles and reuse them, print them out or email them to China or India for production. This production tool enables individual patternmakers and designers to control the quality and fit of the garment which is being reproduced.

You can see that this a most comprehensive program and you will be a skilled patternmaker when you have mastered these procedures step-by step so you will be able to draft styles for any size or shape in a very short time!!

It maybe that you have always wanted to make patterns for yourself rather than trying to adjust someone elses body measurements. The patterndrafting units in the Certificate IV in Fashion Design will give you this skill even if you do not wish to proceed to Diploma level you will have made a valuable investment,

If you are planning a career to make for others or as a designer you need these patterndrafting skills to fully maximise your skills to make professional,well cut garments.

Patternmaking is the blueprint of the fashion industry and the ability to draft original pattern blocks and grade efficiently will ensure your garments maintain both their style and FIT!