Pattern Designing and Cutting of Materials
Pattern designing and cutting of fabric materials encompass the creation and shaping of fabric pieces that form the garment. This process involves sketching the design on paper or using computer software and then transferring it to the fabric through cutting, tracing, or marking. The pattern design must consider the garment's style, fit, measurements, as well as the fabric type, characteristics, and print.
Several factors influence pattern designing and cutting of fabric materials, including:
Fabric type and quality: Different fabrics possess varying properties like weight, stretch, drape, texture, and print, affecting how they behave and should be cut and sewn.
Fabric grain: The direction of fabric threads, including lengthwise, crosswise, and bias, influences stretching, shrinking, and hanging. Pattern pieces should align with the grainline marked on them to maintain consistent shape and drape.
Fabric layout: Optimizing fabric usage and minimizing waste, layout arrangements vary based on fabric type, grain, and print. While most fabrics can be folded and cut in double layers, some, like those with nap, pile, or asymmetrical prints, require single-layer cutting.
Key best practices for pattern designing and cutting of fabric materials include:
Using appropriate tools and equipment, such as scissors, rotary cutters, rulers, tape measures, pins, chalk, markers, tracing paper, wheels, weights, cutting mats, and boards, ensures accurate and safe cutting.
Preparing fabric by prewashing, drying, and pressing removes dirt, shrinkage, or wrinkles, maintaining consistent dimensions and appearance after sewing.
Following pattern markings and notches for grainlines, center fronts, seam allowances, dart points, fold lines, hemlines, and placement of closures and pockets ensures correct alignment and professional results.