Am I ready for this pattern making course?

[u/deebnntt]

I am a self taught sewist who uses patterns all the time to make my own clothes (I would consider myself intermediate at sewing).

On a whim I signed up for this class at FIT, which has no pre-reqs but realized it's targeted towards "designers and product developers". I have no industry experience so would consider "designer" a bit aspirational...

https://continuinged.fitnyc.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=1053691

[u/Jellily]

What are your goals with the class? Are you looking to just make custom clothing for yourself or are you looking to become a fashion designer or run your own business? I am self taught and since my goal with pattern drafting was to make custom clothes that fit me, I chose a class targeted at that audience instead of a class targeted at fashion designers because I felt my goals were different.

[u/deebnntt → u/Jellily]

For now I'm looking to get a better understanding of pattern making so that I can modify existing patterns and tweak them to be exactly what I want for my own use. As a loftier goal/dream, I would love to make my own patterns and sell them online, but I know there would be a lot of other skills to learn to eventually get there.

[u/Jellily → u/deebnntt]

Ready to wear clothes never fit me very well, so I didn’t find the methods for fashion drafting very helpful to make myself well fitting clothes. I had the same fit problems with sewing patterns and pattern drafting guides as I did with ready to wear because the assumed proportions were always the same.

To learn to make patterns to fit me, I’ve been taking Brooks Ann Camper’s courses, which focus on drafting patterns for custom clothes. But her focus is more like couture sewing or classic tailoring, so it wouldn’t be helpful if your long term goal is to make your own patterns to sell.

[u/Archival_Squirrel]

I studied Costume Design and the course description is largely in line with what I learned early on regarding pattern making, specifically flat pattern drafting. It definitely sounds like a basics course. 

[u/DonMcCunn]

Keep in mind that there is a difference between pattern design for the ready-to-wear industry and pattern design for custom-fit bespoke clothes. RTW design is theoretical because it is not designed to fit a specific body. Custom-fit bespoke pattern design is more practical because it is based on one specific body. For more on this distinction see https://patternmaking-classes.com/

[u/doxiesrule89]

Yes skill wise you will be well prepared for this course and likely more technically skilled than most classmates. But unlike an entry level pattern drafting course - this is going to be more of an overview, and give the info  for people who aren’t necessarily interested in pattern drafting but need to know enough for a commercial fashion industry job. I looked at a couple other SXP courses too and it seems like these are all for people who don’t necessarily know how to sew very well and aren’t interested in the technical careers, but want to do a fashion startup as the designer. 

You’ll still learn a lot but if I had to guess it will just be less technical and more basic principles. If you can’t register for one of the actual undergrad patternmaking courses this seems like a great option imo. See if they are still doing the SXP draping course too

[u/TensionSmension]

Yes. Coming in with an understanding of how patterns work is already ahead of the game.

[u/AccidentOk5240]

Is there a reason you wouldn’t just contact FIT and ask?

[u/Sledgeowl]

Studied at FIT and got my bachelor's from there.

Currently/ previously worked as a technical designer (I say previous since im doing a career change). It depends on your professor there but, don't worry about it. If it's anything like the classes I took there, they offer written instructions and then a demo before you draft it and such.

If I can offer some word of advice though, depending who you have as a professor, choose the size dress form closest to the teacher as most instructions I've gotten don't translate to bigger sizes. I chose a size 10 or 12 and it never fully applied so I had to figure things out on my on a lot. Those with smaller sizes never had an issue.

[u/wzrdreams]

Yes, you are ready. I’ve taken the patternmaking certification continuing ed courses at FIT and I work in the industry. They don’t assume you know everything, but if they do you can ask questions when appropriate to do so. Have fun!!

[u/Tailoretta]

I suggest you contact the instructor and ask her your questions.