heir own clothes but there are few comprehensive references available. For the most part, dedicated sewers have had to adjust standardized patterns or muddle their way through foreign-language books.

In Practical Pattern Making two pattern-making experts and designers introduce the basic techniques of creative pattern design for clothing. It is intended to help fashion students, designers and enthusiastic sewers develop and create a variety of styles, regardless of complexity.

The book uses photographs, examples, diagrams and templates to explain all of the techniques, formulas and professional tricks to create a custom-tailored skirt, suit or dress. The tutorial style poses questions that encourage problem-solving.

Features include:

• How to measure the body, with 13 illustrative photographs
• Blank professional worksheets to copy and use
• 40 scaled pattern templates with all markings
• How to draw and mark a sized pattern with darts, pleats and so on
• Modeling and draping to design and fit a pattern
• Working with fabric grain and bias
• Photos of garments in process and finished

The 40 garment selections begin with a basic skirt and progress from a fitted jacket and suit to an asymmetrical balloon dress, flounce dress, tissue dresses and more. All require just a few pattern pieces.