My Top 5 Patternmaking Books for Home Sewists

In today's video, I'm sharing my Top 5 Patternmaking Books for Home Sewists! Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, these books will help you learn basic patternmaking and take your sewing projects to the next level. Stay tuned to discover my must-have pattern making and drafting books to help you elevate your sewing skills!
Books reviewed:
1. Patternmaking for Fashion Design 5th Edition by Helen Joseph Armstrong
2. Designing Clothes with the Flat Pattern Method by Sara Alm
3. Metric Pattern Cutting for Women's Wear Hardcover by Winifred Aldrich
4. The Pattern Making Primer: All You Need to Know About Designing, Adapting, and Customizing Sewing Patterns by Jo Barnfield and Andrew Richard
5. Building Patterns Second Edition: The Architecture of Clothing by Suzy Furrer
Read the Blog Post:
sewpomona.com/my-top-5-patter...
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:53 Patternmaking for Fashion Design
2:15 Book Preview 1
3:30 Designing Clothes
4:28 Book Preview 2
5:09 Metric Pattern Cutting
6:21 Book Preview 3
7:01 Pattern Making Primer
8:20 Book Preview 4
9:07 Building Patterns
11:15 Book Preview 5
12:00 Conclusion
12:30 Outro

[@dianebassett1930]

Super helpful- thank you!

[@SewPomona]

Thanks Diane! Glad it was helpful!

[@melodybillingsley9669]

This was so informative! I have often wondered how you came about drafting your own patterns. I appreciate you sharing the Craftsy classes that have helped you on your pattern making journey. I also hate math, but you have inspired me to not let that deter me!

[@SewPomona]

Thanks so much Melody! It’s really so much easier than you would think- and fun! Happy sewing!

[@marieg2815]

Thanks for sharing these. Appreciate the flip-throughs. 🙂

[@SewPomona]

You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jeannetteantry1086]

I just love watching your videos. You are so inspiring and motivating. I started sewing in middle school and it wasn't until I found H.J.A.'s book on patternmaking that I learned how to fit myself and make patterns that fit. I have made 3 body form covers and created my own fitted body form. Today I copy ideas from ready-made clothing and use my own clothing to recreate patterns from. I have most of these books and I do find them valuable. A good book can really give a foundation for any pattern or sewing garment one wants to make. I find your wardrobe contemporary and fashionable. You design and sew like a professional. And your clothing looks amazing on you. We have four distinct climate changes here in Utah. I have to be creative to bring all four seasons into my wardrobe or vice versa so they coordinate at some level. Which is one reason I love to sew my own clothing. I did get a few ideas from your video for books I would like to own and add to my collection. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@SewPomona]

Thank you Jeanette! Your comment made my day- I really appreciate it! I do miss having 4 seasons to dress for- but understand how tricky it can be to get all those seasonal pieces to mix and match easily. For me creating base layer pieces (top/bottom/layering) in the same solid color (and fabric) really helps and keeping my prints to accent pieces and dresses. I'm slowly building up a wardrobe (in my favorite colors) using this method. Thanks so much for watching- and have fun sewing! P.S.- Love that you've made your own body covers too! Once you get that fit down it really makes such a difference!

[@madypennisi4823]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@SewPomona]

My pleasure! Always happy to share! Happy sewing!

[@miriamcihal8409]

This was great. Your favorite was ‘unavailable’ on Amazon US🙁

[@SewPomona]

I added the direct link on my blog post( the link to my post is in the description) to her website if you want to purchase it. It’s under $40. Thanks for watching!

[@nancynewman6592]

I put the name of your favourite book Building Patterns into my Canadian Amazon, and there was only one, at $727 !!!!! The good news was that the site said I could pay just $50.69I for 18 months. I will check the library instead 😂

[@SewPomona]

You need to purchase through her website. The link is on my website. It’s not one you can easily buy through Amazon. It’s under $40 US.

[@judyhays2413]

Thank you so much for alot of good information. I value your opinion and will definitely look into finding these books and/or the Craftsy classes. I'm curious about the hangers you use for your patterns. Is it something you came up with or can they be bought online? I've got to come up with a better system for my pdf patterns.

[@SewPomona]

Thanks Judy! I buy my pattern hooks online from Amazon. They are great! Happy sewing!

[@francescaleaton4973]

Could you pls check the blog post link as it doesn’t seem to work Loved your vlog - always such useful and comprehensive content ❤

[@SewPomona]

Sorry about that- it was supposed to auto publish this morning. Should be working now. Thanks for letting me know- I wasn't home this morning to check it.

[@LindaBrinkmann-gv8vr]

Would you have an opinion about which book would help me adjust gaping in a woven v neck top? Thank you for your review of books. You video teaching and discussions are easy to follow and topical. LB

[@SewPomona]

Suzy Furrer’s book goes over the adjustments for drafting that. But if you just want fit adjustments for a sewing pattern I’d go with either Palmer Pletsch, Sarah Veblen or Nancy Zieman’s Pattern Fitting with Confidence. Thanks for watching!