La Fabrique Éthique
Hack My Patterns! - Create New Designs from an Existing Garment
Hack My Patterns! - Create New Designs from an Existing Garment
Can't find a schedule that works for you? Join the waitlist!
PLEASE NOTE: This course isn't conceived to teach you to make a full body adjustment of your patterns. Ajuster mes patrons (in French only) or private lessons are better suited for learning these skills :)
Level: I have already made several garments using commercial patterns. I know how to sew details (darts, pleats, gathers) and finishes (hems, bias tape)... but I don't always like the available pattern designs.
Objectives: Create style variations from an existing garment. Copy a Garment. Make clothes to my taste!
Duration: 5 lessons / 3 hours per lesson / 1 lesson per week / total of 15 hours
Materials: You will have access to drafting paper, our tutorial, the documents useful for the class, the tools, one of our sewing machine and fabric for your muslin.
Price: $295 (taxes included)
Minimum 2 students / Maximum 4 students
What you’ll learn:
- Course 1: Introduction to tools and exploration of different techniques on miniatures (organizing a plan, pivoting darts, creating a seamline)
- Course 2: Exploration of different techniques on miniatures (princess seams, creating volume with godets, radial openings, creating pleats and gathers). Style research and selection of the model to be transformed in the last class (chosen from one of our basic patterns)
- Course 3: Copy of a piece of an existing garment, checking pattern pieces accuracy
- Course 4: Cutting and sewing a mock-up muslin. Fitting.
- Course 5: Pattern correction and style developpment.
We reserve the right to adapt the content of the course and the order of our explanations if it means offering a better assistance to our students.
Suggested basic garments to copy for the Introduction to Pattern Drafting class :
Please note that the base garment you bring (the one we’ll be copying) should be as simple as possible: no pleats, no seams, and no gathers. Ideally, it should include darts - unless you plan to create your own patterns from a stretch garment. Also, make sure the garment fits you well, as we will be replicating its fit exactly as it is.
Since this is an introductory class in pattern drafting, blouses, coats, jackets, and blazers are not recommended. We’ll be happy to guide you in creating those more advanced pieces once you’ve completed Level 1 :)
In this course, our teaching approach focuses on understanding the basic principles of flat pattern drafting. We will use images to illustrate the possibilities, but we won’t be able to go through the development process for the 55 models shown on this page. That said, each technique is based on a logic you can reuse to create different garments. By following the “recipes” provided in class, along with your notes, you’ll be able to adapt them at home to design your own patterns :)
This course follows a well-structured format, which makes it difficult to arrange make-up sessions. Being present and on time for each class will greatly enhance your learning experience and is sincerely appreciated. :)








