Introduction to Pattern Making - Rave Short

With the final garment coming up, and my complete lack of experience in pattern cutting I decided to partake in a 'Rave Short' which was a 2 hour course outside that we could partake in, in our own time. The short I chose was called 'An Introduction to Pattern Making.' 

Magdalena, the course leader had previously studied at Ravensbourne which was great as she knew the Uni well, she worked in Pattern Making and Industrial Process, hearing about what she does and where she had worked was really interested. It showed me aspects of the fashion world I knew very little about. Unfortunately as it was only a 2 hour course we hardly had enough time to learn beyond a classic top pattern. However I still learnt a fair amount from this extremely short time period, so it was worth doing.

The tools for pattern cutting, for example the pattern master was completely new to me, I learnt how to use it and how the curve is used for sleeves, necklines, hems and much more. I was originally terrified by this tool as I thought it would be much more complicated than it was, it was interesting to see how many ways it can be used, and I was surprised at how quickly I picked this up.

During the evening we were given a pattern to trace, I thought this was such a shame. Seeing as I hadn't previously designed a pattern, that's what I thought we would be learning to do. However, I still used this opportunity to learn, when making a pattern the details put onto the pattern are of the utmost importance, especially when the pattern is for someone else, and making the slightest mistake can completely ruin a garment. 

Overall, the evening course, although not what I expected, was helpful to an extent. I learnt about the tools and details needed. I am disappointed that I wasn't actually taught how to know what pattern to make from a design, but hopefully in the future if I partake in another course I will achieve this.