Esther's blog is full of helpful pattern making and grading information and it has served as a good reference for me. So when I saw that Esther had released an ebook I was keen to see what was in it.
The Organized Fashion Designer is an organisational tool that you can use to do just that, organise your fashion ideas! I have already started using some of the forms below.
Esther has worked for many years as a professional pattern maker and grader, this translates into her ebook. Through seeing all the different forms used, it provides a keen insight into what is necessary to produce large scale quantities of sewn products. The book does not provide any measurements, or instructions on how these translate to a pattern, but helps you to lay the foundations to build upon. The charts provided are where you would lay your groundwork, measurements, grade rules, pattern numbers are all necessary parts of designing a pattern for sale or starting a manufacturing business.
As a home sewist, some of the forms are not relevant to me. The best part is that Esther has decided to break up the book into smaller sections so you can buy the ones most useful to you. The measurements bundle is the one that has gotten the most use so far, but I have also started to use the design bundle too.
I realise some home sewist's don't even know what grading is! But I also know that those who do know, and are searching for information, will appreciate the forms that are provided in this book. Sometimes you can read things over and over and never really get the concept until you actually physically do the task. Grading is like that.
The grade rules form, included in the measurements bundle, simply illustrates how to derive grade rules from measurement charts and provides a form for you to fill in. This form is helpful to have handy when you are about to calculate the grade rules for an individual pattern, rather than looking at the measurements chart and trying to calculate them each time.
Later on this week I will compile a list of my favourite grading posts from different places around the internet. With those posts and these forms you can be well and truly on your way to pattern design.
There are plenty of other forms included in the book, including a Cost Analysis form, which has a clear explanation on how to calculate the costs in producing an item. I think this form would be invaluable to someone who is selling sewn products from home, as I know many who are always considering what exactly to charge for an item.
The book is available in a number of formats, is 54 pages and is $12.95 USD, or the separated parts are $5.00 USD.
- Spiral Bound
- Saddle stitch (stapled pamphlet style)
- eBook (PDF)
- Esther's Etsy Shop
If you think that you would make use of these forms, leave me a comment at the end of this post for your chance to win a copy of the complete PDF version - tell me how you think you would use it! The giveaway will close this Sunday, or Saturday night for those of you in the US / UK.
**CLOSED**
The fine print:
- Open internationally.
- This give away is a game of skill - most interesting answer will win.
- Closes Sunday 25th August 2013 (AEST)
- Judges decision is final and no discussion will be entered into.
OOh Toni-Maree...this looks so interesting. Not sure of how I will use it until it is in my hot little hands, I am a touchy feely kind of gal. But, I do so need organising help or all kinds. My designs are all over the place on bits of scrap here there and everywhere and I can never find anything I am looking for when I need it.
ReplyDeleteI would love to make use of the cost analysis form, as I'm hoping to start selling my handmade things again soon and that's an important thing to get right!
ReplyDeleteI also think the measurement and grading forms could be really useful to fill in and use for understanding and adapting patterns to get a better fit :-)
Ooh ooh pick me, pick me! I would love to get my hands on these. The grading form would be so helpful for, well, grading my patterns :) I would love to get more organised with my whole design process and this looks like a great place to start.
ReplyDeleteLove it I am just getting my business started this would be a great help!
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ReplyDeleteI have quite a few things I have made for my kiddos that I would love to offer free patterns of to the internet world - this ebook could really help me make that possible. I love sewing, love creating, and love sharing with the world!
ReplyDeleteI've always been curious about learning how to make my own patterns and grade them. This sounds like a great resource!
ReplyDeleteI sell maternity and nursing clothes and am looking to selling them as patterns so this would be great! Pretty please with a Bernina and Babylock on it! xx
ReplyDeleteOh boy, this is just what I need. I'm just about to start putting together my first PDF sewing pattern to sell and I would love to have the tools to help myself be more organized.
ReplyDeleteI have been attempting to put together my first pattern for the past month! It's such a frustrating process - it's all in my head and so hard to put onto paper! This ebook would be invaluable :)
ReplyDeleteSounds good toni...anything to help me be organised would be great!! thanks:)
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