Creating a Body Block Pattern- A Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Own Fashionable Garments

How to Make a Body Block Pattern

Creating a body block pattern is a fundamental skill in the world of fashion design and pattern making. It is the foundation for constructing various types of garments, from simple tops to complex dresses. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced designer, mastering the body block pattern is essential for creating custom-fitted clothing. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of making a body block pattern.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Before you start, gather all the necessary materials. You will need a piece of fabric, a ruler, a fabric marker, a pair of scissors, and a dress form or a mannequin. It is essential to use a good quality fabric that is suitable for your intended garment. For this tutorial, we will be using a medium-weight cotton fabric.

Step 2: Choose the Right Size

Select a size for your body block pattern that corresponds to the measurements of the person who will be wearing the garment. If you are creating a pattern for yourself, take your measurements and refer to a size chart to determine the appropriate size.

Step 3: Mark the Center Front and Center Back

Using your fabric marker, draw a vertical line down the center of the fabric, from the top to the bottom. This line represents the center back. Similarly, draw a horizontal line across the top of the fabric to mark the center front. Make sure these lines are straight and parallel to each other.

Step 4: Draw the Armhole Curve

Measure the width of your shoulder and mark the midpoint of the center front line. From this midpoint, draw a curved line towards the side of the fabric to create the armhole curve. The curve should start from the midpoint of the center front line and gradually become more pronounced towards the side seam.

Step 5: Draw the Side Seam

Starting from the bottom of the armhole curve, draw a straight line down to the bottom edge of the fabric. This line represents the side seam. Make sure the side seam is parallel to the center back line.

Step 6: Draw the Hip Curve

Measure the hip width and mark the midpoint of the side seam. From this midpoint, draw a curved line towards the side of the fabric to create the hip curve. The curve should start from the midpoint of the side seam and gradually become more pronounced towards the bottom edge of the fabric.

Step 7: Add Notches and Grading Lines

To make it easier to sew and fit the garment, add notches and grading lines to the body block pattern. Notches are small marks that help align the pattern pieces during construction, while grading lines indicate the changes in width or length between the different sizes of the pattern.

Step 8: Cut Out the Pattern

Using your scissors, carefully cut out the body block pattern from the fabric. Make sure to cut along the marked lines and notches.

Step 9: Transfer the Pattern to Another Sheet of Paper

To create a reusable pattern, transfer the body block pattern to a sheet of paper. Trace the pattern pieces onto the paper, including the notches and grading lines. Once you have traced the pattern, cut it out and store it in a pattern folder or box.

Conclusion

Now that you have successfully created a body block pattern, you can use it as a starting point for designing and making a wide range of garments. Practice your pattern-making skills by creating different variations of the body block pattern, and soon you will be able to customize clothing to fit your unique style and preferences. Happy sewing!