An overview of the cutting table & how to import an ePattern - Digital pattern cutting tutorial

Part 2 in a series of tutorials that demonstrate digital pattern cutting in Adobe Illustrator.
Watch the tutorial & get downloadable content here: patternlab.london/home/projec...
Now that we have set up our workspace and added the important tools for pattern cutting, we’re ready to start learning how to use those tools! In this tutorial, we show you how to open the Cutting table (download link below) in Adobe Illustrator. The cutting table is an important document that we have developed to give you some additional tools to help keep your pattern cutting and finished patterns consistent. It also features a selection of pre-built seam allowances which we use in later tutorials. Most importantly it is the document that we use when pattern cutting design elements such as sleeves, necklines, dress styles etc. It is very important that you familiarise yourself with this document. We also show you how to import your purchased basic block (ePattern) into Adobe Illustrator and copy it to the cutting table so you can start using the various tools we added in the last tutorial.
Download Adobe Illustrator to follow this tutorial: prf.hn/l/41OoXmP
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[@TayRez]

Thank you! I am loving your classes, and I would like to say that you are helping me a lot!

[@PatternLabLondon]

Tay Rez thank you! Glad you are enjoying the tutorials!

[@elliefretwell4362]

Hi, I am trying to follow along with the tutorial and during the tutorial it is said that there is a free bodice block to download, but I can't find it anywhere. I am really curious about this as i have recently finished my fashion degree whilst specialising in pattern cutting. Thanks

[@PatternLabLondon]

When we first made the tutorial we offered a free bodice block to experiment with. The tutorials are free and will always be free, but we need to subsidise the cost of making these tutorials with people buying our made-to-measure basic blocks. This is the reason why we removed the free basic block.

[@LuAnnSkaggs]

I bought a pattern block because of all the wonderful videos and helpful tutorials that you have on your channel, But I can't seem to find the brushes you mentioned in this video, can you tell me where to find it? Much appreciated😃.

[@PatternLabLondon]

Hi Lu-Ann. Thanks for your comment. We keep all of the downloadable content on our website. Click this link: patternlab.london/home/project/open-epattern-adobe-illustrator/ to visit this particular tutorial on the website. You'll need to download the "Cutting Table". You'll find it as a download link at the bottom of the page.

[@LuAnnSkaggs]

@@PatternLabLondon I already downloaded this cutting table, I did not realize that it came with the brushes, now I see them, Thank you very much👍🏾😃.

[@norapohner1611]

Hi there. Really well done course and explainations on how to work with AI for pattern drawing. However you mention a pattern to practice with for free download? I don't find where to download it. There are only the ones you have to pay for. Sorry, could you please tell me where I can find it? Thanks a lot.

[@PatternLabLondon]

Hi Nora, We originally had a free block to experiment with, however, we removed the block. All of our tutorials are FREE but we need to subsidise the time spent creating them by generating revenue from the basic blocks. This is why we removed the block. I'm sorry for the inconvenience this has caused.

[@LisaAdams.75]

I'm having trouble locating the bodice block download to follow this tutorial. Is the link missing?

[@PatternLabLondon]

Hi Lisa, We originally used to offer a free digital basic block to practise with. However, these tutorials take a lot of time and money to create. To keep them free, we need to generate revenue from the sale of our digital basic blocks. This is to subsidise the cost. To resolve this we ask that our subscribers buy one of our digital basic blocks from either the designlab.london or patternlab.london/home/ website. The starting price is £7.99.

[@DebtPRZ]

Hi PatternLab London. Is downloading the cutting table necessary? Can I just create a larger workspace through the document set-up? I'd have to get admin rights to download; it's easier for me to just create.

[@PatternLabLondon]

Nook PRZ hi nook. Yes absolutely! The cutting table is actually an out dated method for adding seam allowance to a pattern using brushes saved on the cutting table. We now use the offset path tool. The cutting table is a bit redundant.

[@DebtPRZ]

@@PatternLabLondon Cool! Thank you for the reply. I just watched you video on the offset path method... so, I'm good to go. I really appreciate your help!

[@PatternLabLondon]

Nook PRZ no problem at all. Enjoy!

[@negintayefehhassani9342]

I'm having problems finding the pattern for this lesson can you share any direct link to it? Tnx for these lessons btw❣️

[@PatternLabLondon]

Hi Negin, You can create a digital basic block by visiting the lab: patternlab.london/lab/shop/blocks. Simply click the "choose a size' button, select the size you would like to draft : UK4 - 22. NExt, select the basic block you would like to draft (bodice block) and add your design selections as you go. Finally on the download/ payment tab, select the SVG option. This is the digital, editable version of the block. I hope this helps!

[@claudiadeavila5768]

I need to be able to open e-patterns created in Gerber and be able to edit or overlap pieces to check balance in illustrator. What is pattern lab? is that a program to download to be able to achieve this ?

[@PatternLabLondon]

Hi Claudia, PatternLab.London is an online software application that allows you to automatically draft basic blocks, using unique body measurements. Simply add your unique measurements to a profile and then use that profile to draft a number of different basic blocks. The software drafts them automatically in seconds. You can then purchase and download your basic blocks either as an ePattern (editable in Adobe Illustrator) or as a PDF pattern for home printing. We allow you to amend your measurements post purchase. Adobe Illustrator should allow you to open and edit your Gerber patterns. Gerber exports patterns in the DXF file format. Open Adobe Illustrator, create a new document and then click File> Import and select the DXF file. Adobe Might ask you to add a scale for the DXF file. Use 100% or 1:1. When the pattern opens, check the size by measuring various parts of the pattern with the ruler tool. Hopefully this helps? Good luck with your project!

[@claudiadeavila5768]

@@PatternLabLondon thanks for the info.. for some reason there is not a IMPORT option on my illustrator, only EXPORT.. why is that?

[@ra3441]

how to mark anchor point on center of curve line ( making armhole)

[@PatternLabLondon]

Use the add anchor point tool. Press the "+" key on your keyboard this will select the tool (shortcut) then click the line at the location where you want to add your anchor point. I hope this helps.

[@noyonika05]

I have the Adobe Illustrator 2019 version and I am trying to open the cutting table and it is continuously showing that the format is unknown and hence cannot be opened, what should I do now?

[@PatternLabLondon]

Hi Noyonika, thanks for your message. We don't actually use the cutting table anymore, so you don't actually need it. We originally used the cutting table to create preset seam allowance (brushes) but we now have a far more effective way of adding seam allowance. Please check out our up-dated tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYOXm4hpa6eajpY&feature=emb_title

[@noyonika05]

@@PatternLabLondon okay, thanks! 😊

[@jantiong9620]

It's kind of hard to follow and learn along without the free block. I've already created my workspace and all years back following the first tutorial but now I remember why I stopped, I got stuck in this video. Is there any way for us to follow through and learn without the free blocks?

[@PatternLabLondon]

Absolutely. Head over to patternlab.london and create a made to measure basic block. You can either create one to fit your unique measurements. You need to purchase an SVG ePattern which is editable in Adobe Illustrator. Or visit designlab.london to download a basic bock pack. The pack contains both PDF and editable SVG and Ai basic blocks. Purchasing a pack from DesignLab is possibly the quickest way to get access to the digital basic blocks for use with this tutorial.

[@ayeshasilva992]

I'm still not received cutting table documents in my email 😕. How I get it?

[@PatternLabLondon]

Ah that's a shame. You don't actually need the cutting table. We produced an new pattern making tutorial that focuses on adding seam allowance without the the cutting table preloaded seam allowances. Either way, I've just responded to your email with the link.

[@eileendover3938]

Can I purchase the ‘cutting table’ workspace from you please? How do I do that?

[@PatternLabLondon]

You don't need to purchase it and you don't even really need it to follow along with the tutorials. You can however, find it here: patternlab.london/home/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Cutting-table-new.zip

[@eileendover3938]

@@PatternLabLondon thanks so much. I am really enjoying the tutorials. I’ve gone down a rabbit hole with Illustrator. I don’t know if I’ll ever been seen again.