Annual Pattern Workshop Mother's Day Sale

Excuse my ugly post banner ^^ for a minute and get excited that it's time for the annual Mother's Day Sale on Pattern Workshop! Right now through Sunday, May 10 at 11:59pm PST you can get $20 off the course ($149 regular price) by entering code MOMSROCK at checkout. Not a mom? No worries! This discount applies to anyone who wants to start on the path to fulfilling her (or his!) dreams of creating professional, beautiful PDF patterns. You can read alllllll about the course here, but here's just a quick overview of what you'll learn when you enroll:

• Where to get inspiration for your sewing pattern designs
• How to get your ideas onto paper
• The best way to digitize your existing paper patterns using Adobe Illustrator
• How to create pattern blocks directly in Illustrator
• How to modify pattern blocks (a.k.a. “digital slash & spread”)
• How to create size charts for a great fit
• How to grade your patterns into smaller and larger sizes
• How to create actions to speed the block-making and grading processes
• How to tile your pattern pieces for at-home printing
• How to quickly add seam allowances using actions
• How to lay out your pattern in Adobe InDesign
• How to survive the testing process
• How and where to sell your patterns
• How to market your patterns
• How to set up an affiliate program for your patterns
• And more!

Want to see what some of my 500+ students have created in the past year and a half since Pattern Workshop launched? Check out the Student Work page. (It's a work in progress - there are dozens more patterns that have been completed, and I'm busy getting them all added!)

You can even read detailed reviews from those who have taken the course by following these links:

Rachel from Golden Rippy Pattern Revolution Vanessa at LBG Studio Deanna at Sew McCool Abby at Sew Much Ado Ajaire at Call Ajaire (discusses using Inkscape for the course as alternative to Illustrator)

Finally, don't forget the AWESOME support you'll get in the private Facebook group - JUST for Pattern Workshop students and alumni. Some have said this group of 330+ designers is the most valuable part of the whole course. I have to admit; it's an amazingly talented (and helpful) group!

I look forward to seeing you all in class! And in the meantime, I'll be waiting for baby #3 to arrive - I'm currently four days overdue! :)

Big News Part Two: I'm Teaching at Burdastyle.com!

Okay, okay, I know this isn't BIG news since most of you who follow me on Instagram already know about this. And since I've mentioned it in a couple of my Facebook groups, this is probably not even that exciting anymore. BUT YOU GUYS! I am teaching a master course at Burdastyle.com! EXCITING, right?! And I finally have all the nitty-gritty details to share with you!

The course is called Digital Pattern Design with Adobe Illustrator, and it's a little bit different than my Pattern Workshop course since it's specifically targeted to women who want to design their own patterns (not necessarily to sell). It will go more in-depth into the creation of blocks and will include detailed instructions and calculations for creating the following:

• Close-fitting bodice/sleeve block (wovens)
• Close-fitting body/sleeve block (knits)
• Simple trouser block (wovens)
• Tailored skirt block (wovens)

Unlike Pattern Workshop, however, it will not include any of the videos on marketing, selling, creating illustrations or putting together pattern instructions in InDesign. It WILL include how to tile and grade patterns digitally. The course begins July 28 and runs eight weeks. The cost is $129 (a STEAL for the amount of information contained!), and you can register and see more details here!

In the first session, students will learn the ins and outs of Adobe Illustrator as it applies to patternmaking. Next, I'll show you how to create Google Sheets that help you to easily calculate all the measurements you'll need for the block creation process. Then, we'll create four blocks that can be used to build a whole library of blocks based on your own measurements so you can quickly and easily create your own patterns right from your computer. You'll be able to apply the knowledge learned during the creation of those four blocks to create all kinds of blocks - outerwear, easy-fitting clothing, lingerie, activewear, etc.

Pretty snazzy, eh?! Just imagine seeing an outfit in a magazine or on Pinterest, and then re-creating it in pattern form right on your laptop/desktop computer! And sewing it that same day!

Once that's done, the fun really begins. I'll show you how to use Illustrator's tools to modify basic blocks for an infinite number of styles. And finally, we'll add seam allowances and tile the patterns for at-home printing. I KNOW. I'll even show you how to grade your pattern into other sizes in case you fancy that sort of thing. (And the editors at BurdaStyle.com tell me you do!)

If you don't have any experience drafting patterns or using Illustrator, don't sweat it. I recommend purchasing Metric Pattern Cutting for Women's Wear by Winifred Aldrich to help you along (although any patternmaking book with block instructions will do - this is the one I use in the examples). Some measurements (yours or the ones provided in the course), that book and my course are really all you need to get going. Really! I promise!

So whether you're a beginning pattern drafter or one with 30 years of experience and a degree in fashion design, this course is for you. Stop with all the tracing paper and start designing digitally. No more taping, re-tracing, measuring and wasted muslin. (Okay, you might still waste a little muslin.) Take it all digital and spend your time designing and sewing instead of planting your face firmly in your palm.

REGISTER NOW!

Space is limited. :) xoxo

Children's Knitwear Pattern Blocks...They're Finally Here!

I know you guys are just waiting on the edge of your seats for these pattern blocks (right?!). Well, I am happy to announce, my first set of pattern blocks is now available for purchase in the Selvage Designs store. This first set is for children's sizes 2-7, and it includes pieces for a waist-, hip-, crotch- or knee-length garment. It also includes a long sleeve. So, I'm just going to throw this out there before someone else inevitably does.

These blocks are glorified tee-shirt patterns. Yep, that's right. GUILTY.

But the key word here is GLORIFIED. "Glorified how?" you ask. Let me tell you:

• They are based on current (2013) ASTM standards for a modern, universally accepted fit much like that of your favorite retailers.
• The instructions include lots of ASTM measurements to help you make decisions about pattern modifications.
• The pattern pieces lack seam allowance so you can easily make modifications without having to remove and re-add.
• The pattern went through four revisions and three rounds of testing for a great fit.
• The pattern is a little different than what you'd get if you drafted your own from say, the Aldrich book. That book provides a great start, but it's based on very dated fashion preferences. These blocks are designed for today's styles and taste.
• They include layered sizes so you can just print the size(s) you want/need.

AND THE VERY, VERY BEST PART?

You can do whatever you want with this pattern. (You know, except for resell it. Unless of course you happen to be one of my resale partners. Yadda yadda yadda.) That's right - you can create your own pattern designs or finished garments from these blocks AND SELL THEM. Guilt-free. No questions asked. No credit required.

So what are you waiting for? It's time to start creating your kids' summer wardrobe! BUY THESE BLOCKS NOW! (For only $14!!!!!)

(Pssssst - these blocks are PDF only, but they are coming to the Pattern Workshop shop very soon as editable--not edible--blocks! Yep! You'll be able to download the live files to edit to your little heart's content in Illustrator or Inkscape! And if that sounds awesome, but you don't know how to do it, you can take my course! Yeppity yep yep! I would love that! Stay tuned!)