"Introduction To Dressmaking:
An Interesting Challenge And Talent"

How Would We Look Today Without Dressmaking?

Hmmm, sounds interesting? This introduction to dressmaking tutorials for beginners is made especially easy as possible to follow and comprehend. At the end of this section, you will have created your very first 2piece set dressmaking excercise.

Anybody can be a dressmaker! Anybody can cut and sew haute couture! Be inspired! Introducing a step-by-step dressmaking tutorial to learn the fundamental knowledge of dressmaking and basic patternmaking, sewing and the ability to run and operate a sewing machine.

In this first segment of dressmaking tutorials, you will learn some very important safety tips in the workroom, while showing you how to operate the equipment properly and safely.

(How to operate sewing machine properly)

Second part of this introduction to dressmaking, you will see the basic toolkit required to start in dressmaking. You'll learn how to use each of your supplies, from reading the measuring tape to accurately take full body measurements.

PERSONAL AND MODEL MEASUREMENTS CHART

CIRCUMFERENCE MEASUREMENTS

1. Bust: ________ 3. Abdomen: ________

4. Waist: ________ 4. Hip: ________

UPPER TORSO (BODICE)

5. Center length: F ______ B ______

6. Full length: F ______ B ______

7. Shoulder slope: F ______ B ______

8. Asymmetric shoulder difference ______

9. Bust depth: ______ Bust radius _____

10. Bust span: ______

11. Side length: ______

12. Neck: ______

13. Shoulder neck: ______

14. Accross shoulder: F ______ B ______

15. Across chest: ______

16. Across back: ______

17. Bust arc: ______

18. Back arc: ______

*19. Waist arc: F ______ B ______

DART MEASUREMENTS

*20. Dart placements: F ______ B ______

*21. Total intake: F ______ B ______

Number of darts: F ______ B ______

Each dart intake: F ______ B ______

Dart spacing: F ______ B ______

LOWER TORSO (SKIRT)

*22. Abdomen arc: F ______ B ______

*23. Hip arc: F ______ B ______

24. Crotch depth: ______

*25. Hip depth: CF ______ CB ______

Tilting waist difference: ______

*26. Side hip depth: ______ Asymmetric hip difference:

27. Waist to: Knee ______ Ankle ______ Floor ______

28. Crotch length: ______

29. Upper thigh: ______ Mid-thigh: ______

30. Knee straight: ______ Bent: _______

31. Calf: ______

32. Ankle: ______ Ankle: ______ Heel: ______

ARM MEASUREMENTS (SLEEVE)

33. Overarm length: ______

34. Arm depth: ______

35. Cap height: ______

36. Elbow depth: ______

37. Bicep: ______

38. Elbow: Sraight: ______ Bent: ______

39. Wrist: ______ Around hand: ______

HOW TO TAKE CIRCUMFERENCE MEASUREMENTS

Bust (1), across bust points and back.

Waist (2), around waist.

Abdomen (3), three inches below waist.

Hip (4), measure widest area keeping tape parrallel with

floor. Pin mark hip level at center front (as x-point).

(insert figure 1 here)

HOW TO TAKE VERTICAL MEASUREMENTS

Side length (11), armplate to side waist.

Shoulder length (13), shoulder tip to neck.

Armhole depth (34), shoulder tip to bottom of armhole plate.

Side hip depth (26), side waist to HBL, on side of form being

measured.

Bust radius (9), measure from bust point ending under bust

mound.

(insert figure 2 and 3)

FRONT AND BACK MEASUREMENTS

Center length (5), neck to waist over bust bridge.

Full length (6), waist to shoulder at neck, parralel with

center lines.

Shoulder slope (7), center of waist to shoulder tip (pinhead

mark).

Bust depth (9), shoulder tip to bust point.

(insert figure 4 and 5)

HOW TO TAKE HORIZONTAL MEASUREMENTS

Front

Across shoulder (14), shoulder tip to center from neck.

Across chest (15), center front to mid-armhole (pinhead mark).

Bust arc (17), center front, over bust point, ending two inches

below armplate at side seam.

Bust span (10), place tape across bust points, divide in half

for measurement.

Waist arc (19), center from waist to side waist seam.

*Dart placement (20), center front to side front (princess line).

Dart intake (21), standard= 1" (two 1/2" darts). Petite = 3/4"

(two 3/8" darts).

*Abdomen arc (22), center front to side seam, starting 3" down

from waist.

*Hip arc (23), center front to side seam on HBL line.

(insert figure 6)

Back

Back neck (12), center back neck to shoulder at neck.

Across shoulder (14), shoulder tip to center back neck.

Across back (16), center back to mid-armhole at ridge (pinhead)

plus 1/4".

Back arc (18), center back to bottom of arm plate.

Waist arc (19), center back waist to back waist seam.

*Dart placement (20), center back waist to side back (princess

line).

Dart intake (21), standard = 2"(two 1" darts). Petite = 1 3/4"(two 7/8" darts).

*Abdomen arc (22), center back to side seam, starting 3" down

from waist.

*Hip arc (23), center back to side seam on HBL line.

*Hip depth (25), center back waist to HBL line.

(insert figure 7)

Next is, you will learn the process on how to draft patterns. Our first introductory exercise will be a sample design - a very basic 2-piece set blouse and skirt. When ready, you will layout the pattern onto the fabric and begin cutting.

blk#12-gfx or video of a pattern drafting demo.

Before continuing to sewing, make sure all cut fabric pieces are on hand, trims are prepared, thread colour is correct, fusing and interfacing materials are ready just in case, sewing tools are next to you, especially your clean oiless sewing machine. You will be shown the steps in construction and operation to finish via video and text.

blk#14-gfx or video of sewing to finish.

This is only the introduction. More advanced lessons are also available. Starting out will pose some challenges to first-timers, but rest-assured that the simplicity and straightforwardness of this dressmaking tutorial will give you the confidence you need.
I hope this tutorial will be of great help and an inspiration to you all as you go on to become a great dressmaker.

Go from Introduction to Safety Tips lesson...

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