Pattern Drafting For Beginners Part 1 - Measuring Your Body to Draft a Skirt Block

[@louisebrierley-jones6794]

Lovely calm voice which really helps me to feel calm about the drafting process. I have a dipped waist and a very dramatic hip curve as my high hip is only a little way from my waist and is as big as my low hip measurement so really looking forward to solving both these issues. Thank you so much for this

[@MinervaDotCom]

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[@elainebracken9957]

Hi, I am very excited about this new series, particularly the skirt block. I love wearing skirts, but have great trouble fitting them. I have a tiny waist, pear shaped hips and a stomach with a measurement greater than my hips. I would very much like to see you particularly address this issue in the adjusting section of the series please. Thank you

[@MinervaDotCom]

We are so glad you're excited for this series!

[@helenparker1870]

I have slightly adjusted this process as my front and back measurements are not equal. I put an elastic band on the tape measure and line it up with my side seam line so that I can get separate front and back measurements. I also sit down when taking circumference measurements as my flesh moves when I sit down which can add more circumference at the hips. I take a high hip measurement over my stomach as this total circumference measurement is larger than my hip measurement. Finally if you have a big difference between waist and hips you can add extra darts so that your front darts are not too big in any one place. Two darts can be smoother than one.

[@elainebracken9957]

@@helenparker1870 Thank you, that is very helpful, Elaine

[@sharonscott8358]

This is something I have wanted to learn for ages, so I'm really excited about this series. Hopefully when we come to fit that is when we will make adjustments for our own particular shape. I have a slightly rounded tummy and always have to alter patterns to take account of that. It will be great to have a pattern that fits me that doesn't need to be chopped about before I sew. Thank you

[@MinervaDotCom]

We are glad you are excited for this series!

[@joanneroberts1088]

A really enjoyable video. Looking forward to the whole series.Thanks

[@MinervaDotCom]

Some exciting videos to come!

[@clairewalls4124]

Great tutorial - super helpful and gives me confidence to give this a go! 😊

[@MinervaDotCom]

We are so happy to hear that!

[@Sew_Over_50]

Thank you for sharing this valuable skill. So excited to put it into practice!!

[@MinervaDotCom]

❤

[@user-hc5jq8yb9p]

Brilliant! Your instructions were so clear and easy to understand.

[@MinervaDotCom]

❤

[@van9van]

Great Izzy loved this tutorial!

[@MinervaDotCom]

We are so glad to hear that!

[@sibongilemokoena739]

Just started watching your videos,.where does the 4cm come from2%?im still new t sewingo😢

[@soapLady52]

Thank you for this video! This is something I have wanted to learn the proper way to do this for decades!

[@MinervaDotCom]

❤

[@Scrapitydoodah]

Great tutorial thanks. This is something I’m very interested to learn

[@MinervaDotCom]

We are so glad to hear that!

[@barbaracolla6204]

Loved the simple straight forward instructions. Looking forwards to the next installment!

[@MinervaDotCom]

❤

[@judithglavas9030]

What do you do when you start to age and have lost height? When you no longer have a waist? My rib cage is now almost on top of my hip bone.

[@MinervaDotCom]

Hi Judith, thank you for your question. In this scenario, the waist can still be located at the junction between the hip and ribs, even if they are very close. If you’re struggling to find the waist, follow the curve of your hip bone around your side and feel for the point where the hip bone meets the rib cage. That’s the point where you measure your waist circumference.

[@KarenMcNeil-en2fn]

Appears to be simple thankfully. Always put off draughting a pattern with some of the tutorials. Looking forward to the next instalment 🙂

[@MinervaDotCom]

❤

[@karenbensdon4643]

This is so valuable and exciting. Thank you for creating this series and providing it freely.

[@MinervaDotCom]

You are so welcome! We are glad you enjoy it!

[@kerrymcilwaine]

Excellent vlog, the best block drafting instructions I’ve seen x

[@MinervaDotCom]

Thank you so much!

[@gailfirenze4760]

Thank you so very much. These are such good directions and now I understand how this basic skirt block is made. I couldn’t be happier. Blessings Gail 🙋🏼‍♀️🇦🇺

[@MinervaDotCom]

Glad it was helpful!

[@larabellg8425]

You're a very good teacher! I find your tone of voice very reassuring and that you take time to walk through each step. I've watched a few videos of this kind, and most "teach" as if you already know what they are talking about and rush through the steps. I'm not a very experienced sewer, so there were a few things that I found vague...could you please explain? Why are you adding 1.5 cm to your waist measurements on the back and 2.5 cm on the front? Why did you draw the dart lines down to 14 cm on the back and 12 cm on the front? Why are there 2 darts on the back block and only 1 on the front block? Are the length of the darts and the additional cm's a given for any skirt blocks or do they vary with a person's size and preferences? Thanks, so much, for taking the time to make this excellent video! It's a wonderful free resource! 😊

[@joanneroberts1088]

Izzy, I love this. I am going to follow along and make each one. I can draft but I am not as accurate and then I have to keep re doing patterns instead of having reference slopers. 😊😊

[@MinervaDotCom]

Plenty more pattern drafting videos to come!

[@wendypercival4871]

Because I have very narrow hips, my measurement calculations (i.e. 1/4 hip + 1.5cm and 1/4 waist + 4cm) are ending up the same, meaning I have a straight line from waist to hip. What should I do? Go with it or add a bit extra to my hip for “design” purposes? 🤔…. Ah! I see someone else has a similar problem. I’ll go and look at the suggested videos. Thank you…

[@louisep1898]

Thank you so much for the video but I’m slightly confused as the first measurement you plot is half the hip plus 1.5cms and you refer to this as the waistline. Should this be half of the waist measurement instead? I’m just wondering as I don’t have enough room to plot the skirt front and I’m puzzled why 🤔 Thank you for any comments to help me x

[@olive5890]

This is such a great resource 👍 please, what approach are you basing this on, i know there are many and i will be using Winifred Aldrich's book!??

[@zizistavrakou3786]

Hello Izzy,great video,thank you very much.Is there a rule why you made 2 darts of 2 cm each on the back and 1 dat of 2.5 cm on the front?

[@mirandathewlis4047]

Hi Izzy, your videos are excellent. Will you be looking at trousers at some point? I have a long back and would appreciate your expert guidance with this. Thanks for excellent videos

[@MinervaDotCom]

Absolutely! We have a whole series planned on trousers too 😊

[@mirandathewlis4047]

That is such good news! I'm looking forward to it. Thank you again for all you are doing for the sewing community@@MinervaDotCom

[@christieleonce]

Am trying understand mesurement but you using cm

[@MinervaDotCom]

Hi, yes that is what we are using in this series

[@debbiecarter6430]

Brilliant ❤

[@MinervaDotCom]

❤

[@lucywyatt434]

Great instructions & very clear process this is my 3rd and hope is my last skirt pattern ….😊

[@EncantoColombiaDanceCompany]

I love your videos, they are very helpful. I have a question, is the back block 1.5 cm wider than the front one?

[@elter1979]

Thank you very much, You made it so easy to understand. I have a big tummy that measures more than my hips, I cannot wait for your next tutorial.

[@MinervaDotCom]

❤

[@lindamore7374]

A great tutorial, a lovely voice to listen to and delivered flawlessly - looking forward to doing in the winter rather than watching over the summer - especially appreciated as I don’t like winter and need all the help I can get to psych up for it!!😂

[@MinervaDotCom]

❤

[@AnneRowlands-q7k]

Brilliant video. Such a clear presentation. Looking forward to the next instalment.

[@MinervaDotCom]

❤

[@NBishop-q3e]

Thanks something I’ve always wanted to learn. Looking forward to the next tutorial. Well done Minerva.

[@MinervaDotCom]

Thank you! We are so glad to hear that!

[@janspenno2241]

Great video thankyou

[@MinervaDotCom]

Thank you Jan

[@hellooo3322]

Just finished the first video

[@sherikabaptiste2128]

I do you add 1.5 to the waist length

[@loraineboslem8123]

Well this looks to be a great series . I always thought drafting a pattern would be out of my reach but with your great instructions i think i will be able to achieve it. As a bonus have discovered why everything i make is always too big at the waist .... because I've not been measuring the right place doh!!

[@MinervaDotCom]

You are so welcome!

[@PinkieMasinga]

Your tutorials are so profound and easy to follow. How am I going to get the drafting mat since I need it at what price? Thank you

[@MinervaDotCom]

Hi there, all the tools including the mat can be found by following the link in the description 🙂

[@KarenMcNeil-en2fn]

Just finished this step. Exhausted 😂

[@KimGrove-z8e]

What a fantastic video. It seems so simple. I can’t wait to try this. Thank you.😊

[@MinervaDotCom]

You are so welcome!

[@mariammoola2651]

Winifred Aldrich drafting method being used. Thank u for explaing so wll. Excellent teacher.

[@VeronicaVeronica1]

So excited at this. Can’t wait to get started once I get comfortable with my sewing machine.

[@MinervaDotCom]

Hi Veronica, if you're new to sewing, we also have a fantastic Learn To Sew series which will help you learn all of the sewing basics! You can find it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4iqXml3nJxlfKc

[@ChristineSmith-ls5is]

So so helpful, thank you. Looking forward to watching the rest now

[@MinervaDotCom]

Awesome, thank you!

[@lovetosew1373]

What a fabulous video, I'm so excited for the rest of this series! Thank you Minerva for all these brilliant free videos 😊

[@MinervaDotCom]

Thank you so much!

[@laheebk]

Your style of teaching is simply amazing, thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge with us for free. I loved watching this series and made me think seriously about learning to draft my pattern ❤❤❤❤❤ you make it feel enjoyable and doable ❤❤

[@rosywilson3076]

HELP, my waist it bigger than my hip measurement so it doesn't go in at the waist, it goes out!

[@MinervaDotCom]

Hi there! Episode 3 and 4 of the pattern drafting series should be able to help you on finding the right fit for you :) kzbin.info/aero/PLlIwtAy1pUoSSLiIkPkDTHDpSgY1-i8Ae

[@giftyamoako2325]

Hello,thank so much sister,please you added 1.5cm to the hip/2 for the width of the rectangle and later at the back you added 1.5cm to the hip.Won't shorten the width at the front?

[@janetlawrence4324]

Thank you.

[@TheKdemchuk]

Thank you so much for this!! I have watched countless other tutorials teaching how to draft a bodice block and nobody shows how to properly fit it! You go through every fit step and very thoroughly from the toile and back to the pattern draft. Thank you for showing all of these steps - super helpful for a beginner : )

[@laurajaynedean6097]

Links to the tools would be great here (for the lazy like me!)

[@MinervaDotCom]

Hi there! You can find a link in the description box of all of our videos that will direct you to all the products used in the specific video. You can find the products for this video here: www.minerva.com/posts/1186436

[@zizistavrakou3786]

Izzy, you are amazing, so calm and full of knowledge!!!! So happy to find you

[@RoyWilkinson-i2v]

Love the easy way you explain things. X

[@MinervaDotCom]

Thanks so much 😊

[@michaelgracewatts2943]

Great help and I can't wait to continue the series soon. Thank you....Grace

[@EncantoColombiaDanceCompany]

And yes, I agree, Izzi your videos are great. Thanks a lot!

[@hellooo3322]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@elaine58100]

Is there ease added to the drafting of this pattern?

[@MinervaDotCom]

Hi Elaine, yes, this drafting method allows for a reasonable about of ease. You may find that you need to adjust the fit after sewing up the first toile, and this is to be expected. You can refer to our fit videos on how to make the tweaks you need to the fit once you’ve sewn up your first toile. Happy sewing!

[@debbnw]

Where can I find the drafting ruler?

[@MinervaDotCom]

You can find all the tools used here: www.minerva.com/posts/1186436

[@sandrataylor7252]

Really enjoying your skirt blocking videos - my tracing paper, curved ruler and calico all arrived today and getting started first thing tomorrow. Pattern drafting has always seemed like a mystic art to me 🤣 but your instructions are so clear and encouraging. THANKYOU! 😊

[@MinervaDotCom]

Wonderful! Happy Sewing!

[@vikingqueen9]

Lovely clear, concise and calming video tutorial. Great for any beginners. Thanks x

[@MinervaDotCom]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sharonbrinders1224]

Thank you for this great tutorial. I just subscribed and looking forward to the next one. Xx

[@MinervaDotCom]

Thank you! Episode 3 is out on the channel with episode 4 coming soon!

[@CarolAnneConway]

Very excited about this series. Great video to start with. Question: should we take our measurements over clothes or over our under garments?

[@MinervaDotCom]

Hi Carol-Anne, we would recommend taking your measurements for any pattern wearing the underwear and any other undergarments (e.g a slip, petticoat etc.) that you plan to wear with your finished garment.

[@annecain3301]

Thank you for such a clear easy to follow instructional video.

[@MinervaDotCom]

❤

[@valeriecelestine7380]

Lovely looking forward to the next episode, 🙏

[@MinervaDotCom]

Hi Valerie, episode 2 and 3 are live now on our channel 😊 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXO7gn56gquqnrc kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5imZ6h7mq6Bac0

[@lornamatty3348]

Love this pattern drafting series. Any plans to extend beyond skirts to bodices and trousers?

[@MinervaDotCom]

Yes absolutely! We've lots planned for this series!

[@lornamatty3348]

@@MinervaDotCom Fabulous news. Thank you