Welcome to the PCD x Wini pattern cutting challenge

Metric Pattern Cutting for Women’s Wear by Winifred Aldrich has been my go-to book for teaching the fundamentals of pattern cutting for several years. It’s very thorough and well-formatted and actually quite simple to follow. If you know a little bit about the subject, you could work through it by yourself.

However, in this pattern cutting challenge, you and I will work through most of the book together, page by page, technique by technique.

I bet you’re excited too, as this will be so much fun!

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However, there is a little bit more to this challenge as you’ll have the chance to get really involved.

We’ll start by covering the basics - everything you need to know to get going with pattern cutting for woven fabrics and then stretch fabrics. This will include subjects like dart manipulation, darts in seams and darts in fullness. We’ll take a look at necklines, facings and sleeves before we move onto trousers.

And this is where it gets really interesting.

Although we’ll be covering basic techniques we’ll apply them to more contemporary garments. But only if you tell me what you want to do.

What styles have you seen in fashion magazines that you would love to make but don’t know where to start?

HOW WILL THE CHALLENGE WORK?

First, you’ll find content posted regularly on Instagram as a signature PCD speedy video and infographics. Then, at the end of each subject, you’ll get a longer, slower, annotated video posted on Youtube. You’ll also need to like PCD on FB and join the PCD FB group. Each month I’ll be doing a LIVE session. You can ask questions about the videos, the book and any fitting issues you might have. This is the place to submit your images of the contemporary garment you need help with.

HOW LONG IS THE CHALLENGE?

We’ll cover everything you need to know about pattern cutting in six months.

WHAT WILL I NEED TO TAKE PART?

The best way to do this is to have a dress block to hand and some paper that’s suitable for tracing and drawing on. Half-scale dress blocks in size 6 - 24 are available to purchase here. These are ideal as you’ll be able to follow the videos using a block in your correct size. You’ll make your patterns in half scale. To use them simply print at 200%. However, you can work with a full-scale dress block if you prefer. If you don’t have one yet you’ll find full-scale dress blocks in size 6 - 24 are available to purchase here. Any paper will do - just make sure it’s slightly transparent - brown paper, newspaper or paper from your fish and chips (only joking!). Otherwise, you can use PCD’s reusable and sewable trace and sew ‘paper’. It’s totally unique, as you can quickly stitch your pattern to check the fit, then unpick, and reuse the ‘paper’ again. Get your trace and sew ‘paper’ here.

(All sales from the dress blocks and trace and sew ‘paper’ will support this new, free series.)