How to Make a Sewing Pattern

Have you ever wondered how to make clothing patterns? With this tutorial, it's easy!

Sewists don’t need a lot to succeed. With the right supplies, fabric, and patterns, they are able to create show-stopping pieces that are pretty and functional at the same time. Learning how to make your own clothes can save so much money!

But in order to make your own clothes, you need a pattern! While there are free sewing patterns scattered across the web (hello, AllFreeSewing!), they might not always fit you just right.

You will be a pattern-making expert in no time when you follow along with this tutorial: How to Make a Sewing Pattern.

This tutorial helps explain why learning how to make a pattern is an invaluable skill. If you learn how to make your own pattern, you can learn how to make your own clothes and you can make them fit like a glove! It is surprisingly easy to learn how to make a pattern.

Keep reading to learn the necessary steps to take to learn how to make your own sewing patterns from one of our favorite bloggers, Remona Gopaul from The Stitching Scientist!

Project TypeMake a Project

Time to CompleteIn an evening

Sewn byEither Hand or Machine

Easy

Materials List

Large sheet of craft/art paper
Colored permanent markers
Tape measure
Ruler
Scissors
Existing piece of clothing to use as guide (optional)

If you want to adjust your next pattern, then be sure to take a look at these quick tips onHow to Alter a Sewing Pattern

How to Make Your Own Sewing Patterns

How to Make a Pattern:

Intro:
If you have tried shopping for patterns recently, you know how expensive they can sometimes be. Today, I am going to show you how to draft your own pattern for a versatile top/shirt.

For this tutorial, you can use an existing loose-fitted top with sleeves to create your own pattern. Learn how to make a sewing pattern from existing clothes means it's even quicker to create and will fit better.

To create your pattern, you need white craft paper. When buying your paper, ensure that is heavier than your standard notebook writing sheet. Having somewhat of a heavy paper makes everything easier to manage when you are tracing and cutting.

I like using the same rolls of art paper I buy for my kids’ art projects. Sometimes, I even use poster paper if I plan on saving my patterns for future use.

Pattern Drafting Materials Needed:
When it comes to clothes pattern making, you will need to collect a few things before getting started:

Large sheet of craft/art paper
Colored permanent markers
Tape measure
Ruler
Scissors

CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE.

Take your large piece of construction paper (I used 20"x 40") and fold in half. Lay your shirt on top of the folded paper as shown below. Fold the sleeve toward the center of the shirt and trace all the way around. Mark a line where your neckline starts on the front of the shirt.
Draw an arc from your front neckline to the top of the shoulder.
Add seam allowance to the pattern by tracing all around your pattern from step 2 about 1/2" from your original lines. You do not need to trace on the center fold for seam allowance.
Since your paper is folded you do not need to trace a separate pattern for your front and back bodice. Cut along the back bodice line as indicated below for the back. Once you finish cutting all the way around, you will have two pieces; the one on the bottom is for the back bodice and the one on the top is for the front bodice. Cut along the blue line on your top piece and you will have your completed front bodice.
For the sleeves, you will be doing the same thing as you did for the bodice pieces. Place your sleeve on the folded paper ensuring that the top edges of the sleeve line up with the folded edge of the paper. Mark off the desired length. Trace the inner part of the sleeve toward the underarm.
Fold the sleeve toward the center of the shirt and trace from the inner arm to the top.
Here is the fun part of creating your sleeves!
1. Trace about 1/2" all the way around your trace from above for your seam allowance. Do not add seam allowance to the fold.
2. Place a dot about 1" from the center of the sleeve as shown below.
3. Draw a long s-shape from the underarm to the top of the sleeve.
4. Trace about 1/2" from your line created the step above for seam allowance.
Cut around your green long s-shape toward the underarm and then follow through all the around on the green line.
You now have pieces for your front, back, and sleeves.
You are done! Here is a shirt I made using the pattern created in this tutorial.

DIY Shirt Template Instructions PDF

Click Here to Download PDF!

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Have you ever made a sewing pattern from scratch?
Let's hear your tips in the comments!

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itupitup 7868395

Mar 08, 2020

This was so good to see through. New ideas will help me to dress my family. Thank-you very much.

Lynn K

Nov 18, 2018

This is such a valuable project - thank you for making it available! A friend recently made her son a pair of shorts by copying his favorite pair (including a proper lined pocket!) and I was deeply impressed ). Now I'll be able to try and clone a few favorite clothing items too!