Set Up a Pattern Making Workspace in Adobe Illustrator!

Welcome to part 1 in our essential tutorial on setting up your digital pattern making workspace in Adobe Illustrator. Designed for sewists, DIY enthusiasts, pattern makers, fashion designers, and fashion students alike, this guide demystifies Adobe Illustrator, making it accessible and tailored for the unique needs of pattern making.
👗 What You'll Learn:
- Getting Started: We'll kick things off with where to find and how to download Adobe Illustrator, setting the stage for your digital pattern making journey.
- Creating Your First Document: Discover the steps to open Illustrator and establish a new document, specifying size and measurement units crucial for precision in pattern making.
- Customising Your Workspace: Tailor your Illustrator workspace by pinpointing essential tools for pattern making, enhancing your workflow's speed and efficiency.
- Saving Your Custom Workspace: Lock in your setup by saving your custom workspace, ensuring a consistent environment for all your future pattern making projects.
- Mastering Navigation: Navigate your digital canvas with ease using Zoom and Hand tools, essential for intricate pattern adjustments.
- Utilising Document Rulers: Seamlessly switch between units of measure to align with your project needs, a vital skill for accurate pattern creation.
📚 Who This Tutorial Is For:
Whether you're transitioning from traditional to digital pattern making or refining your digital workspace, this tutorial provides the foundation you need to streamline your pattern making process in Adobe Illustrator.
📚 Resources You Need to Follow Along:
Download a Standrardised Bodice Basic Block:
👉 designlab.london/product/basi...
Start Drafting a Bespoke Tailor made basic block to fit your measurements:
👉 patternlab.london/lab/shop/pr...
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Watch the Full Course on Our Website:
👉 patternlab.london/home/projec...
Looking for More Pattern Making Projects:
👉 patternlab.london/home/patter...
Follow us on Instagram:
👉 Join Our Community: / patternlabldn
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Additional Information:
Join our community and follow us on social media for more tutorials, tips, and a peek into the world of digital fashion design. Stay updated with the latest in pattern making and expand your creative toolkit with Adobe Illustrator.
Problems Solved:
- Overwhelm with Adobe Illustrator: Simplifies the Illustrator interface specifically for pattern makers.
- Workflow Efficiency: Teaches how to customize and save workspaces for consistent use, improving workflow efficiency.
- Navigation and Measurement: Offers guidance on navigating projects and accurately using measurements, crucial for precision in pattern making.
Hashtags:
#digitalpatternmaking #adobeillustrator #fashiondesign #patternmakingtutorial #diyfashion #fashionillustration #sewingdiy #fashioneducation #patterncutting #sewingtutorial #digitalpatternmaking

[@jessicacramer]

I have struggled to learn Illustrator for more than 3 years. This is by far the best tutorial I have ever seen, I can't wait to watch your other videos! Thank you!

[@PatternLabLondon]

Thanks! What a lovely comment. I’m glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful.

[@krissiecolton9093]

This was brilliant I've watched this one a few times now as you speak at a even level so its been easy to follow your instructions when setting myself a new workspace. I'm at university having illustrator lessons and they never taught us to do this! I didn't even know the tool bars were so customisable. Setting up my own workspace this way makes this program less daunting. Thank you for such a well easily explained piece of information.

[@PatternLabLondon]

Krissie Colton thanks! You’re very welcome. It’s a new feature with CC and it’s the first time that I’ve used the feature but as you said, makes it far easy to access the relevant tools quickly. What are you using Ai for? Graphics, illustration or pattern cutting?

[@moretravel2024]

Thank you very very much, your voice and your attitude of teaching is really great, lovely and humble. Thank you again.

[@PatternLabLondon]

What a lovely comment. Thank you and good luck with your project!

[@brandonchu2198]

You have no idea how helpful this and I really appreciate this so much.

[@PatternLabLondon]

You are so welcome! Enjoy the rest of the videos!

[@Hlaing-NatureFairy]

Thanks for sharing. I found the best YT channel for learning pattern making in Ai.

[@PatternLabLondon]

Wow, thanks! That's so kind of you!

[@Hlaing-NatureFairy]

@@PatternLabLondon because you are so kind. I learn alot from you.

[@erincannon9119]

Hi. Just a tip - but if you set your preferences (ruler for example) BEFORE you open any files - those settings will then be default for any files you open.

[@PatternLabLondon]

That's a great tip! Thanks for your comment.

[@SuperModerngranny]

Thank you! Would really appreciate if you could change your mouse pointer colour to something brighter (eg. large white?), or maybe have it circled or highlighted. I have seen some video tutorials that did that, not sure how to do it though. Your black pointer blends in with the screen, making it quite a task (for me) to follow. I don't think everyone has the difficult, but for me as an older individual with fading eyesight, a brighter mouse pointer really makes a difference. Thanks again.

[@PatternLabLondon]

SuperModerngranny thanks for your feedback. I think this video was created before we assigned the new pointer highlighting. I’ll take a look at other possible pointer highlighting options to make it clearer in future tutorials.

[@akdoow3928]

Awesome

[@PatternLabLondon]

Thanks!

[@rakfun4045]

hello, this is great video but i am struggling like how I rotate the basic bodice block please help me. thank you

[@CrisRuGar]

Muchas gracias. No hablo inglés, pero entiendo lo que haces. Seguro que me pierdo cosas importantes... pero la curiosidad es buen maestro.

[@PatternLabLondon]

Hola, lo siento, no tenemos traducciones en nuestros videos. Es algo que nos gustaría agregar en el futuro. Me alegra que puedas entender el proceso. Tienes razón, con un poco de prueba y error lo dominarás.

[@Madebyroe_]

Hello, I used your AI file to create a printable patter, and im finding that my pattern is printing smaller than what I created in AI. Do you ever experience a problem with this? Or how do you suggest I correct this? All my squares are meeting up but im finding that overall my pattern is still pretty small. Even something like the pattern key that is just dead center on a page is printing out a a few cm small. Thank you!

[@PatternLabLondon]

Have you tried printing to 100% scale? Or are you using the correct page template for your printer - A4 = UK/ US-letter = US.

[@Alex-ds6oz]

Do a video about: From sketch/idea to final product

[@PatternLabLondon]

Hi Alex. We are working on this concept as we speak. We will plan to do one project each month from start to finish. Keep an eye out!

[@Alex-ds6oz]

@@PatternLabLondon Awesome make sure to include how to use patterns to create a final product as well.

[@AlexandriaPerel]

did you draft your block on Illustrator? I am trying to learn how to draft on illustrator. Is that possiable?

[@PatternLabLondon]

Yes we draft all our test block and adapt all our basic blocks in Adobe Illustrator. We have FREE courses and tutorials for pattern making in Adobe Illustrator. You can find them here: patternlab.london/home/courses/

[@118lab]

how can you scan patterns using home A3 scanner ?

[@PatternLabLondon]

You can scan paper patterns using any scanner. I've down this a few times in the past. Try drawing hashed lines on your paper pattern, then scan each part of the pattern. You can then paste them into Adobe illustrator and match the scans up using the outline of the pattern and the hashed lines that you've drawn. It's simply a case of making each scan 50% opacity and then overlaying them until the pattern pieces and hashed lines match up. I hope this helps.

[@DuckDUude]

I created a physical pattern myself and am wanting to put it in PDF form to sell. Would this course be helpful for that?

[@PatternLabLondon]

Yes absolutely, check out this tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mna9mYNqfdmNgs0 It'll explain exactly how to do this.

[@DuckDUude]

@@PatternLabLondon thank you!

[@elizabethussery9847]

Are these steps similar to affinity? Adobe is too costly for me to pay for just personal use pattern making

[@PatternLabLondon]

Unfortunately, I have never used Affinity so cant explain if these steps are similar.

[@dorajones3896]

hi do not adobe cc I have adobe cs6 I am a beginner can I use it on that program

[@PatternLabLondon]

Yes absolutely. Adobe CS6 should be a new enough version pattern cut or alter your patterns digitally.

[@ahc1957]

I think this is exactly as I want to do. I mKE PATTERN ON Pper and drafting. I want to mKE my paper pattern, digital so I can sell them online as PDF.

[@PatternLabLondon]

Yes, this course will show you how to do just that. You can do it!

[@missdee0151]

omword! I cannot even create a new tool bar! The space within the new toolbar will not allow the icons you have stipulated!!!

[@PatternLabLondon]

Which version of Adobe Illustrator do you have? The older versions do not support this functionality. I would recommend downloading the latest version and try again.

[@missdee0151]

@@PatternLabLondon just downloaded illustrationer! A blue curser doesn’t appear either! It’s ok I worked through! This series of tutorials are brilliant thank you. I want to draw digital patterns for doll/toy/decoration type items but clothes patterns are nearly same principle! Thank you again x