Importance of Pattern Making in Fashion and Apparel Design

To interpret and understand the designs is one of the most important technical skill a fashion designing student must possess. To design a beautiful piece of garment, pattern making forms the fundamental step. In this skill talk, Archana Puri, Principal, ATDC Okhla, talks to us about the importance of pattern making in the fashion and apparel designing, what skills are required, and the steps involved in pattern making. Read on to know more.

Q: How important are patterns in designing and making a garment? What happens if things go wrong in making a pattern?

A: The garment/apparel design is not only sketching beautiful styles on paper, but there is also a lot more to it. It is a technical process that has evolved over the years. The garment manufacturing comprises of numerous stages such as product development, cutting, sewing, embellishments, finishing, and packing. The appearance and fit of a garment are highly dependent on each process. Product development is the most critical of garment manufacturing. If the garment is made correctly in terms of fit, style, color, and design at the initial stage, half the battle is won. A nice perfect fit contributes to the success of any style.

Today’s customers have become more demanding and always looking for new styles and designs. If you know the possibility of designs that can be created through pattern development, a lot of opportunities can be encountered to design. Pattern construction is the base of the development of enormous garment designs.

Fit approval is crucial for any apparel company. If things go wrong in making patterns the fit will be spoiled and you will not achieve what is required but with the efficient knowledge of pattern making, you can always reduce errors and save time which is required to succeed in today’s competitive environment.

Q: What do pattern making and garment construction involve? And how critical are the skills in this area?

Pattern making involves drafting paper patterns to create well-fitted garments. It’s like creating the blueprint of style on the paper before making the actual garment. It involves calculations over the body measurement and drafting the patterns.

A: In the industry, patterns are used to cut the fabric pieces and the garment is made. Patterns are made so that the same style can be duplicated when needed and multiple pieces can be made. You don’t have to start from scratch each. With the technical advancement, pattern making is being done on the computers with the software like TUKA CAD.

Using these patterns, garment construction is done. As you talk about fashion design, the first thing that comes to our mind is apparel/garments. So, garment construction is the core of fashion designing. It involves understating machines, seam types and of course stitching of the garment. The skills in pattern making and garment construction are crucial as these are the core areas of Garment manufacturing and understanding of the garment in all aspects is a must to perform.

Q: How are patterns made, please give examples from a few typical garments like making a dress, a kurta or a tunic?

A: To start with the pattern one important thing to know is that we make half patterns i.e. half front and halfback and duplicate the other half to keep the curves and shapes the same both sides.

Q: How did you get interested in this specialization in apparel making?

A: Since my childhood, I was quite fascinated with the garments. I use to style my doll, sew garments for them so my interest was always there. During my graduation (clothing and textiles), we learned so many techniques of dyeing, printing, and designing, etc., which gave me an urge to learn more and more and I decide to go for higher studies in design (NIFT Delhi). The most exciting part of this field is that you don’t have to wait for too long to see the result. In very less time you can see your imagination converting into the real product which keeps you driving.

Q: Please tell us about the courses you teach on and how do you ensure industry experience in exposing students to challenges like working with teams, working under pressure and delivering quality consistently?

A: ATDC is the only organization that offers shop floor, supervisory and managerial level training/ courses within the education and training eco-system. ATDC provides a variety of job-oriented industry-led courses.

ATDC provides a three-year Degree course which is in two streams – Apparel Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship and Fashion Design and Retail. According to the need of the hour, these programs are designed to generate employment for the youth and retail is bringing in new opportunities wherein these courses have great potential.

Diplomas in the Apparel Manufacturing and Fashion Design Technology are the best seller programs of ATDC. Students trained under these courses can opt for different careers like assistant merchandisers, sampling coordinators, pattern masters, Industrial engineers, quality executives, and production supervisors, etc.

Along with the skill content, we do provide training in soft skills. Students at ATDC are also being trained under the program named PACE (personality development and career enhancement) which enhances the student’s strength in handling stress and working in a team. Students under all the programs go for many industry visits and Internships to experience the industry environment.

Related Article: Teaching Apparel Design in the time of fast-changing fashion Read More: https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/teaching-apparel-design-in-the-time-of-fast-changing-fashion/

Q: What is your advice to young students who wish to pursue a career in Fashion Design and Apparel Making?

A: Many students think that if they are not good at drawing, they are not for this field. But this is completely wrong. This is a technical line. Sketching is just a small part of it. There are a lot of areas like Apparel production, industrial engineering, merchandising and many other areas where you can look for. If you are technically good with an eye for creativity you are good to go. There is a lot of scope in the apparel sector as a lot of big brands are coming up. The retail sector has a lot of scope. I want to advise to these students that they should opt for this career with full faith and work hard with full dedication and passion, success is surely for you.