Day 2 (the final day) of the Creative Pattern course saw even more creativity from the Pattern Magic books.

The course was very much based on creating your own patterns from the drafting instructions given in the book. Most of the time it was like a technical drawing class rather than a sewing class – but these outfits are what the fashion editors would call “architectural” so you have to concentrate on the patterns – the sewing is then the easy bit.

Working on from last week’s class I drafted the sleeve pattern – nothing weird and wacky on this but good basic pattern drafting practice.

This was followed by an attempt at the crossover front top – I’ve always liked this pattern in the book.

Here’s how it looks on paper halfway through the process – it’s a real leap of faith that it is going to turn into anything resembling clothes!

And here is it made up in muslin. I only did the front so it’s just pinned to my top – but I think you can definitely make out the beginnings of a wearable item.

I can really recommend this class - it has really transformed the books for me. Previously, even though I had read through them several times, I just didn’t “get” it. Now I feel I have the confidence to attempt any of designs – no matter how complicated.

The instructor – Mons (Monisola Omotoso) was great. A wonderfully experienced designer and pattern cutter who has had her own lines selling to the likes of Paul Smith. She really got me to see the “science” of the drafting. She is running another weekend class in February 2012 at Morley College. If you live in London and have always wanted to attempt these books, I would say BOOK NOW!

A dreadful photo but it does show both the front and back.
I've been doing evening classes for the last seven weeks - fashion draping and intemediate dressmaking at the Cockpit Arts centre. It's been great and I'm finally getting some stuff finished. I have one more class by the end of which I should also have a skirt and a dress.