How to Use Adobe Illustrator to Create Sewing Patterns - Basic Tools

[@ckim5134]

These are the best instructions I have ever seen. You went slow enough and made it clear enough to be able to follow along. Thank you

[@Mellysews]

👍🏼

[@printme2010]

This is the best tutorial I've ever seen for Illustrator, which I've been wrestling to use for pattern drafting for more than ten years. Basic, to the point, with clear explanation. Thank you!

[@Mellysews]

Glad it’s helpful

[@emz5390]

Thank you Melly! I took a class on Illustrator for fashion design several years ago, but I'm just now starting to design some commercial patterns and I needed a good refresher. This was exactly the information I was looking for.

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@elladuhon1401]

I have often wondered about how to use these tools and would not because I was afraid I'd destroy my laptop. Thats a shame, but thanks to you , I have a little more courage and confidence that I can do some od this designing thing at least for my self if no one else. Thanks again Melissa, I love your tutorials on pinterest also.

[@hoosierquilt]

Wow, this was a really GREAT video! Will you be continuing this series, I would really love to see further instruction in how to scan in and digitize a hand-drafted pattern, how to size the pattern to inches/cms, how to grade a pattern in AI. Wonderful lesson, especially for those unfamiliar with using AI!

[@Mellysews]

Thanks! I have a whole series of these available in courses here: mellysews.com/2013/02/make-pdf-sewing-patterns.html

[@amyvaldez3633]

Melly, Thank you so much for the tutorial, I see it is from 2014 however, you are the first person I clearly understood how to use the tools to create the bodice. I wish I find the next tutorials you mentioned you were going to teach, I need to learn Grading, pattern tracing, images tracing etc.. Thank you!!

[@Mellysews]

I have the rest of the videos in my class here: blankslatepatterns.com/products/creating-pdf-patterns-and-pattern-grading-online-class

[@angelaoconnor4298]

Melissa, that was really clearly done, you're clear directions were very understandable.... I fell upon it by accident and am delighted! Thank you

[@DoppelgangerJ]

I love using Illustrator for designing patterns. It is fun to use and so convenient

[@francespoff4316]

Wow! never knew about Shift+Control+Z - have always used Control+Z and love that shortcut. What a fantastic clear video this is, so glad I came across it.

[@Mellysews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@deenabailarina9832]

Wow! Thank you SO MUCH for this! I design bag patterns and am just now trying to learn how to digitize them or, better yet, design them completely on the computer! This clear walk-through of the anchor points and creating curves from anchors was just what I needed! I'll definitely be signing up for the full course in the near future! And I didn't find it difficult or complicated at all (in response to an earlier rude comment about how "there must be an easier way"). No shortcuts when it comes to gaining knowledge and expertise! Practice, practice, practice!

[@Mellysews]

Glad to help!

[@amandapage1878]

Thank you so much for this video. This is the only illustrator tutorial I have watched that I can understand. Will definitely be watching your other videos.

[@Mellysews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@LisaHallbros]

Wow! What a great tutorial and I love your presentation and clear voice. Thanks so much, this is a big help!

[@LorineMason]

Thank you so much Melly Sews - I loved your easy to follow basics. Moving on to your next video

[@Morbious666]

This is great! I design and create leather armor, masks etc and I've been been looking for an AI tutorial like this for a while. Never thought about searching sewing patterns, duh. You've already made my life easier =). Your presentation is clear and easy to follow. Just wanted to say Thanks. Vince

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@jackkyle5457]

Clear, well spoken directions. Thank you Thank You Thank you. I am adding you to my Holiday card list.

[@Mellysews]

Glad it’s helpful.

[@discoverytrekkingoutfitter3140]

You have a talent for teaching. Video was very clear and understandable.

[@Mellysews]

All those years of teaching high school probably helped :)

[@withbee9159]

Thanks for this , it’s so helpful just a shame that there’s no other tutorial so clear like this to complete the drafting

[@Mellysews]

The rest of my videos on this subject are available in the class here blankslatepatterns.com/products/creating-pdf-patterns-and-pattern-grading-online-class

[@delein01]

Thank you very much for sharing this video, is a very good starting point for me in illustrator, I will continue watching the videos in this series, I think you have a good method to explain all the steps.

[@Mellysews]

Glad you find it helpful! The rest of the course info is here: mellysews.com/2013/02/make-pdf-sewing-patterns.html

[@LisaHallbros]

Wow! This tutorial is great! You have great presentation and the instructions are excellent! I took a college course in Illustrator and it was no where near as clear and concise as this! Thank-you!

[@SuperModerngranny]

Thanks for the demo. How do you draft to correct measurement on illustrator and print exact size as indicated? Now that I have learned (from you) how to use illustrator to draw the pattern, I need to make sure that it prints the pattern just like those I purchase on Burdastyle or pdf patterns where I can just cut and join. Is there any kind of measuring tool in illustrator that can draw and print to scale? Printing multiple sheets just to check the size would waste a lot of paper (and money). Thanks.

[@Mellysews]

+SuperModerngranny I cover all of that in the course sequence I linked in the description.

[@Blissfully-Keto]

Which Adobe Software are you using? I mean, are you using Adobe Illustrator 9.0 as an example?

[@Homecook04]

Thanks Melly such a wonderful job you've done......

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@Mellysews]

@Salobrena Smith - you need pattern drafting books for measurements. Some of my favorites are here: mellysews.com/2013/07/5-great-books-for-sewing-and-patternmaking.html

[@jamilyatairova5482]

This is absolutely amazing! Thanks a lot for such a wonderful and helpful video lesson!

[@Mellysews]

Glad it's helpful!

[@NelHas2Now]

Just simply Thank you! I agree with many of the wonderful comments here! Just what I was looking for! Thank you for posting. 🤗🤗

[@Mellysews]

Glad it's helpful.

[@rosyclaire]

This is really interesting but Adobe says I have to use the cloud. I really don't want to use the cloud. Does Adobe automatically save to the cloud or can I save it elsewhere?

[@Mellysews]

You can save files made with Adobe Creative Cloud to your machine, but you'll always need an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription to open them.

[@jackkyle5457]

I can't find the other Adobe videos. I went to your sites. Can't read pale grey on white through the ads. I would like to watch your illustrator videos. Please help.

[@Mellysews]

The rest of the videos are in a course available for sale in my shop.

[@sherde10]

Oh thank you so much! I have wanted to learn this for ever and you teach it so well xxx

[@Mellysews]

Glad it's helpful!

[@FischerWorkshopsTaiwan]

Nice Tutorial! Easy to follow and clear. Thanks for posting!

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@garypeterson4062]

Great tutorial, very helpful. Thanks so much!

[@Mellysews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@donndexx77]

Very nice tutorial. Thankyou

[@Mellysews]

Glad you liked it

[@barbevcl917]

Hello Melly, thank you for posting. This is my first time using illustrator. How do I find the inches icon? Can I delete and start over?

[@Mellysews]

It's under preferences.

[@donnasfabulous]

Thanks Melly , But I am talking about that shadow figure that is following your pen tool as you move it around on the art board - it looks like some measuring guide and it has the letter D before it.

[@Mellysews]

Oh - that! I never really pay attention to it, but after you place the first anchor point it just appears when I'm drafting in CS5, which is what I used when I shot this video. I haven't noticed if it does the same thing in Illustrator Creative Cloud, because like I said I never pay attention to that part. I prefer to use the move (command +M) pop up box when drafting, not any measurements from the pen tool.

[@dianadivadiamond]

OMG. That was very exhilarating. I always wondered how it was done. Thank you for sharing this.

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@TravisRamage]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing your time and knowledge!

[@Mellysews]

+Travis Ramage Thanks for watching!

[@mayfatum]

Hi Melly! Really good video! Do you have a specific video about measuring curves? I'm finding hard to measure it or a section of it. And I cannot find a way of measuring the centre of a "free" curve path. Any tips? Thanks!

[@Mellysews]

There's a unit on measuring curves in the full course that I linked in the description.

[@sajidramjan123]

hi melly, please could you tell me what version of AI you are using, im confused when i try to find it online. thanks Mary

[@Mellysews]

These tools should all still be in the latest version of Illustrator.

[@seekertosecrets]

I have a question about making these patterns. Would it be best to get the measurements of the body so you can use it as a reference while making the pattern? I can see how to make the bodice, but do you have any pointers in making the sleeves and the pants?

[@Mellysews]

Yes, I recommend these drafting books: mellysews.com/2013/07/5-great-books-for-sewing-and-patternmaking.html

[@CataCeps]

Thank you very much Melly! This really helped me a lot!

[@Mellysews]

Glad it's helpful!

[@jenifferpace6893]

Hey there! I actually want to learn to illustrate the steps of the garment construction instructions that come with patterns. Im a professional illustrator so I have a solid Adobe Illustrator background but Im sure there are some technical aspects and things I have to know to do this professionally for dressmakers. I already put together instruction booklets but I want to give my client the option of illustrated steps instead of photographs which are not so reliable to pass on to her costumers. Im not sure how that is even called and where I can take courses to learn to do it properly. Thanx for your time and efforts in teaching others ✨

[@Mellysews]

Honestly, having personally worked with other illustrators on my own patterns, I think the best thing you could do if you wanted to work with dressmakers is learn the basics of sewing clothing. I personally have found it much easier to work with and have gotten better results from illustrators that understand garment construction.

[@SheryleCarter]

Melly after creating a pattern in illustrator what type of file extension would I save the file as so that I could have the pattern pieces cut? I we use Gerber at work, would I be able to save files and import them into the Gerber platform?

[@Mellysews]

Sheryle Carter I'm not sure. When I work in CAD software I export from Illustrator to a dwg file type, but I'm not sure what kind of file extensions Gerber supports. You'd have to look at Gerbers list of compatible file types then compare with what Illustrator can export to.

[@nataliathinschmidt891]

Thank you, Melly! Still super helpful in 2018. 😊

[@Mellysews]

Glad to help! The basic tools of the software haven't changed.

[@bettylou1030]

Thanks for making this, it was very informative and a great beginner lesson for using illustrator. However, not much info on actually how to make a pattern (basics, what parts are needed and why). Perhaps this is in your course :) And the big thing you did not mention was how to save the document as "actual size" for printing purposes as a pdf.

[@Mellysews]

This isn't intended to teach flat pattern making, just how to do it digitally.

[@laradelcampo5503]

Thanks thanks and thanks this is exactly what I was looking for to learn. Great video!, Now I am going to watch the hole course

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@alettathouros5096]

Hi thank you so much. How can i get direct to your illustrations. Good job.

[@Mellysews]

Aletta Thouros I don't understand the question - what do you mean direct to illustrations?

[@colleenberwick4279]

Thanks Melissa. This really helped me. I want to see more of your lessons if possible please>

[@Mellysews]

Thanks! The rest of this course is here: blankslatepatterns.com/products/creating-pdf-patterns-and-pattern-grading-online-class

[@lironladenheim2703]

Hi Melly. In your course, do you teach how to make trimless artboards for the end commercial pattern?

[@Mellysews]

I do not cover trimless techniques.

[@lironladenheim2703]

Thank you!

[@NewMomTipsUG]

This was sooooo helpful! Thank you!!!

[@Mellysews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Thank you so much 😊 I will be following you on this, it's so amazing.

[@irinas8071]

Hello Melly! Thanks a lot for a useful video. I would like to make the patterns for the handsewed felt toys/animals. Can I also use Adobe Illustrator for it?

[@Mellysews]

You should be able to draft any kind of pattern with the same tools.

[@Shallowsoul25]

Very good explanation, thank you!

[@SheryleCarter]

I enjoyed this tutorial and will look for others. I am what is called a Marker Maker for Honeywell. I am interested in learning more about the trade of pattern design and how it's done.

[@BritneyMills]

Such a great tutorial! I need to check out others!

[@Mellysews]

Glad you like it!

[@AFateSoTwisted]

Thank you so much for this video! I want to start making patterns for my viewers. Now, how do I get Adobe Illustrator?

[@Mellysews]

It's only available as part of the Creative Cloud subscription now.

[@ahc1957]

I like making my patterns on paper. I would like to learn how to digitize them to create PDF patterns. Do you offer tutorials aimed at learning how to digitize patterns?

[@Mellysews]

I have a whole course here: blankslatepatterns.com/products/creating-pdf-patterns-and-pattern-grading-online-class

[@jojo-fi1yz]

oh my gosh can I say thank you for this video 😢😢

[@Mellysews]

+Senorajae Jay Glad you liked it; thanks for watching!

[@eyeonart6865]

where do we find the rest of the course? i would love to take the full course. Thanks great instruction.

[@Mellysews]

+Eye on art full course available here: coursecraft.net/courses/z9Nc1

[@barbaramaes5280]

Thank you, so useful, how/ where can I see your future lessons?

[@Mellysews]

You can see a listing of all my courses here: mellysews.com/2013/02/make-pdf-sewing-patterns.html And you can subscribe to this channel in case I share more here.

[@glossaryworldglossaryworld3667]

This is very useful ❤️ thanks a lot

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@juliebernhardt3981]

Thank you very much. Very useful!

[@annanas5504]

hey melly, i´d be delighted to see more about this illustrator course, especially about how keeping up the right measurements in curves... hope to see a new video soon!

[@Mellysews]

Thanks Anna! The full course is available here: coursecraft.net/courses/z9Nc1/splash

[@annanas5504]

thanks alot :)

[@ajitindia1456]

melly it was good explained tutorial. thanks

[@Mellysews]

Ajit India Thanks!

[@ashleydiaz3568]

You're great! extremely helpful 😍

[@Mellysews]

+Ashley Diaz Glad you liked it, thanks for watching!

[@lilyo6205]

Great tutorial!

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@LisaHallbros]

LOL! I just realized I already commented once before...didn't even realize I had already seen this! :)

[@Mellysews]

Ha! Glad you liked it so much.

[@nishibhat3426]

Hi! I was wondering. If I want to create a pattern with particular measurements. Say I want to make a sheath draft how do i get to know the measurements?

[@Mellysews]

Nishi Bhat I'd suggest one of these books: mellysews.com/2013/07/5-great-books-for-sewing-and-patternmaking.html

[@nishibhat3426]

***** thanks!!

[@annieholliday3216]

I really enjoyed this tutorial. I would like to take other classes.

[@Mellysews]

+Annie Holliday The full course is available here: coursecraft.net/courses/z9Nc1/splash

[@lalakuma9]

How about scaling? Where are the rulers? How do you know that if you print it out, it's actually going to fit?

[@Mellysews]

This video is just basic tools. All the rest of it, including your questions, is covered in my full course here: coursecraft.net/courses/z9Nc1/splash

[@sweetpeabookkeepingservice7372]

Can this program be used to create handbag patterns?

[@Mellysews]

Yup.

Yes but it's expensive. There is a monthly subscription now. There is a lot to learn but it's amazing.

[@---nj2se]

Thank you, great video yo start to understand Ai. Didn't get last part when I want to clear my mess, You said Comanzy but what did you click?

[@Mellysews]

I'm not understanding what you're asking.

[@willimdruve8591]

She's saying "command + Z" which is the shortcut key for undo on Mac. The shortcut key for undo on Windows is "Ctrl + Z"

[@minhcad642]

may be it is same same with corel draw. very interesting.

[@Mellysews]

I think Corel is similar but I have not used that program

[@SewCutebyKatietv]

How do you put in measurements?

[@Mellysews]

With my keyboard

[@sewbiz8146]

yeah but how do you let go of the lines you make? the line keeps going when Im moving the arrow after Im done

[@Mellysews]

You either click the original anchor point to close the shape or click a different tool.

[@sewbiz8146]

@@Mellysews But the line keeps following and then I have an unwanted line thru the pattern

[@hengrathvisith1365]

great tutorial

[@Mellysews]

Thanks!

[@Halaloly94]

i can't find this program for downloading could you please help me?

[@Mellysews]

Search "Adobe Illustrator". It is not a free program, but available through their Creative Cloud subscription.

[@Halaloly94]

ok, thanks a lot :)

[@mewmew5125]

many thanks

[@Mellysews]

Glad it's helpful!

[@BeatrizAbiRached]

Tell me...Can I print it in real size ?

[@Mellysews]

It depends on your printer and printer settings.

[@BeatrizAbiRached]

Thanks!!

[@AnitaAsani]

Or you could get it printed conveniently at any store or printing place since they print up to A3 size

[@ednafindsfashion]

Interested in the series but didn’t find continuation?

[@Mellysews]

Full class here: blankslatepatterns.com/products/creating-pdf-patterns-and-pattern-grading-online-class

[@davesummers390]

You are awesome! Thank you..

[@Mellysews]

Thanks!

[@jamescaldwell8874]

will this be for a real size scale

[@Mellysews]

+James Caldwell If you use real size measurements, then print without scaling, yes, it will.

[@blackjack2808]

How would you size a pattern with Adobe?

[@Mellysews]

Blackjack21 I have a class on that here: coursecraft.net/courses/z9NeK

[@tinajones6313]

How do I get the Adobe illustrator software

[@Mellysews]

You need to purchase from Adobe.

[@tinajones6313]

@@Mellysews can you make doll patterns using any other software programs

[@euphoricallyboba6057]

how do u get this app on the computer?

[@Mellysews]

It's part of the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription

[@howardtshangatshanga4178]

Hi melly do you have classes?

[@Mellysews]

Yup, all my online courses are here: coursecraft.net/users/jjM

[@ShelleySailz]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! :)

[@tailoregypt1633]

Possible need of fashion design program I'm from Egypt

[@---nj2se]

on 14.30-14.35 ....keep redoing redoing redoing. I can't follow you what you been clicking

[@Mellysews]

CMD+Z or CNTRL+Z - it depends on whether you're using a Mac or PC product.

[@---nj2se]

@@Mellysews PC

[@alisonlees8846]

Thx!

[@youngskywalker7559]

No second video?

[@Mellysews]

Full course available here: blankslatepatterns.com/products/creating-pdf-patterns-and-pattern-grading-online-class

[@abenaserwaa818]

what about measurements

[@Mellysews]

Measurements depend greatly on what you're drafting and for which size. That's beyond the scope of this video.

[@MsMommaRose]

Creative Cloud sounded great until I read that you have pay $20.00 a month for the program and never own it. I think I will stick with pencil and paper.

[@AsakeOlaniyi]

There's has got to be an easier way. This is killing my creative vibe!

[@Mellysews]

+Asake Olaniyi this is as simplified as I can make it. It does get easier with tools and tricks learned in my full course and with time and practice.

[@donnasfabulous]

How do I get my pen tool to show the measurement as I move around?

[@Mellysews]

The X and Y coordinates will show in your toolbar across the top of the screen unless you've hidden that in your workspace. As for getting the pen to show measurements as you move, that's not a feature I'm aware of. You would either have to select what you're trying to measure and look that up in Window>Document Info > Objects or use the measuring tool.