FREE DIGTIAL PATTERN MAKING COURSE
PATTERN MAKING  ON YOUR LAPTOP

FREE FASHION ILLUSTRATION COURSE
IN ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR

FREE TECHNICAL DRAWING COURSE
UPDEATE YOUR PORTFOLIO

FREE FASHION PRINT DESIGN COURSE
CREATE YOUR OWN FABRIC DESIGNS

PATTERNLAB.LONDON
VISIT THE WEBSITE

GET ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR
PROFESSIONAL PATTERN MAKING TOOL

LEARN DIGITAL PATTERN MAKING
START OUR FREE BEGINNERS COURSE

MOST RECENT TUTORIALS
WHAT HAVE YOU MISSED OUT ON?

DRAFT A MADE-TO-MEASURE BASIC BLOCK
DIGITALLY EDITABLE PATTERNS THAT FIT YOUR MEASUREMENTS

BROWSE ALL OUR PATTERN MAKING TUTORIALS
PUT YOUR NEW SKILLS TO THE TEST

GET ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR
PROFESSIONAL PATTERN MAKING TOOL

DOWNLOAD NESTED BASIC BLOCKS UK4 – 24
EDITABLE GRADED DIGITAL SEWING PATTERNS

LEARN DIGITAL PATTERN MAKING
START THE COURSE & UNDERSTAND THE BASICS

MOST RECENT TUTORIALS
SEE WHAT’S NEW THIS WEEK! 

ALL DIGITAL PATTERN MAKING TUTORIALS
START CREATING HUNDREDS OF DESIGNS 

GET ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR
PROFESSIONAL PATTERN MAKING TOOL

DOWNLOAD NESTED BASIC BLOCKS UK4 – 24
EDITABLE GRADED DIGITAL SEWING PATTERNS

DRAFT A MADE-TO-MEASURE BASIC BLOCK
DIGITALLY EDITABLE PATTERNS THAT FIT YOUR MEASUREMENTS

Digital Pattern Making in Adobe Illustrator CC

Digital pattern making is fast becoming a popular method of pattern making and is starting to replace manual or paper pattern making. This is simply due to its speed, precision, shareability and space saving abilities. You no longer need a big studio, large table, expensive tools, rolls of paper or storage space for your patterns. With digital pattern making, you can work from your laptop or desktop PC, saving thousands of patterns in folders and files on your computer or memory stick. You can even share them online with your community or send them to friends on the other side of the world in seconds! Not only that, but you can copy and paste full scale patterns without having to spend time tracing them from existing templates. You can add one-click seam allowance without having to draw it by hand. Maybe you want to create your own independent sewing pattern company? Great! With digital pattern making, you can transform your patterns into multi-page PDF printouts – we have a tutorial for that! There are countless benefits to digital pattern making.

Software applications such as Adobe Illustrator CC, CorelDRAW, Affinity designer and free software, like Inkscape, are making it far more accessible for individuals and students. The hard part is learning how to use the software and then finding digital basic blocks/slopers/basic sewing patterns to adapt, experiment with and eventually turn into finished professional sewing patterns. And that’s where we come in!

Digital Basic Blocks, Slopers and Basic Sewing Patterns

Our online software (the Lab) automatically drafts made-to-measure or custom fitting digital basic blocks/ slopers /basic sewing patterns to fit you or your clients measurements exactly. We then provide them as either multi-page PDF sewing patterns or fully-editable digital basic blocks. These digital patterns can then be adapted to become any design or style using our digital pattern making tutorials. 

Draft or Download a Digital Basic Block

Follow along with our tutorials and learn digital pattern making in Adobe Illustrator CC. Purchase and download one of our editable digital basic blocks. We have a few options for you to choose from...

FREE Digital Pattern Making Tutorials

We have created a series of in-depth video tutorials that focus on digital pattern making in Adobe Illustrator CC, since it’s by far the most popular platform. In these tutorials, we show you step-by-step, where to find the Adobe Illustrator CC software, how to set it up specifically for digital pattern making, what tools you need and how to use them. You don’t need any prior experience of either digital pattern making, regular pattern making or Adobe Illustrator CC. We’ve designed the tutorials for both absolute beginners and experienced pattern makers.

Below you will find a list of video tutorials. It’s very simple- start at the top and work your way down the list. Each tutorial will reinforce the last and then introduce a new tool or concept. It’s important that you complete each tutorial in order. This will ensure you don’t miss anything crucial. Once you have finished all the tutorials, you should have a firm grasp on the basics of digital pattern making in Adobe Illustrator CC. You can then go on to learn and develop your pattern making skills by following our design tutorials.

That’s pretty much all you need to know, why not give it a shot! Before you know it, you’ll be a pro at making your own digital sewing patterns.

Tip: Some of our followers have found it useful to watch the tutorials on a tablet or mobile device, at the same time as having a go on their laptop or PC. This means they don’t have to keep switching between screens. Try it, maybe it’ll speed up your learning process.

Adobe Illustrator CC (Ai) can be a very intimidating platform, especially when it displays all the bells and whistles! In this digital pattern making tutorial, we show you which tools are important, where to find them, how to add them to your workspace, how to remove tools that you don’t need, and finally, how to save the workspace so you can use it each and every time you draft patterns using Adobe Illustrator CC. 

Now that we have set up our workspace and added the important tools for digital pattern making, we’re ready to start learning how to use those tools! In this tutorial, we show you how to open the Cutting Table in Adobe Illustrator CC. 

Like manual pattern making (on paper), the ruler is possibly the most important tool in your arsenal. Having the ability to measure straight and curved lines, and marking points on those lines is a fundamental part of pattern making. It’s the same for digital pattern making, although the tools we use are slightly different. In this digital pattern making tutorial, we show you which tools we use to do this and how to use them effectively.

In manual paper pattern making, we use a ruler to draw straight lines and a Pattern Master or French Curves to draw curved lines. But how do we translate this to digital pattern cutting in Adobe Illustrator CC? Simple, we use the Pen tool and all of its derivative options to seamlessly draw curves and lines. In this tutorial, we show you how to use these fun tools to divide your block into panels or add design elements such as necklines.

In Adobe Illustrator CC, your block is comprised of many different lines, segments, points, and elements. The only thing keeping them together is grouping. All of our ePatterns (digital basic blocks) come pre-grouped which makes things easier when importing them into Adobe Illustrator CC. However, what happens when you start adding new elements and removing old ones? 

Cutting and slashing your block into different panels is yet another fundamental part of pattern making (on paper). It’s possibly the first thing that we learn as pattern makers. It’s a very similar concept for digital pattern making in Adobe Illustrator CC, but doing it well can be tricky. 

You’ve cut it, slashed it, designed a new neckline, rotated your darts and added all kinds of new design details. So what’s next? Adding seam allowance! In the physical world, this is usually a long, time-consuming process. It takes some careful attention with a Pattern Master tool, especially when you’ve got lots of curves and panels. It’s a process that I personally used to dread. Well, not anymore! In digital pattern making adding seam allowance is a simple and joyful experience.

Paper sewing patterns are slowly becoming less popular, mainly due to the cost of commercial printing, packaging, and delivery worldwide. It is this slow transition from paper to digital that is making independent pattern companies a huge success. Now that you know how to adapt your basic blocks/ slopers/ basic sewing patterns digitally, it’s time to start selling and sharing them as multi-page PDF sewing patterns. 

Most Recent Tutorials

DRAFTING A HALTER NECK SWIMWEAR PATTERN

In this tutorial I demonstrate how to transform the high-rise basic leotard block into a halter-neck swimwear pattern, using Adobe illustrator... Read more

DRAFTING AN ASYMMETRIC LEOTARD PATTERN

In this tutorial, I demonstrate how to transform a basic Leotard block by adding an asymmetric, single-arm neckline and chevron paneling. ... Read more

DRAFTING A BIKINI SWIMWEAR SEWING PATTERN

In this tutorial, I demonstrate how to transform a basic swimwear block into a bikini set with two different bikini bottom styles... Read more

CUSTOMISING THE LENGTH OF AN A-LINE DRESS

In this tutorial, we demonstrate how to lengthen or shorten a Basic A-line dress block pattern, created in a previous tutorial... Read more

DRAFTING AN A-LINE DRESS

Learn how to draft an A-line dress in Adobe Illustrator using our DesignLab.London knee-length basic dress block pattern (UK4-24)... 

MATCHING PATTERN NOTCHES

Learn how to match and mark pattern notches, in Adobe illustrator, using two very different techniques. A must-see tutorial!

CURVING DARTS

Learn how to add curvature to your darts using a handy little tool in Adobe Illustrator. It's quick, easy, and creates a far better fitting basic block!

ADDING A DART CAP

Learn three different ways to add a dart cap to a digital basic block in Adobe Illustrator.

Tutorial suggestion - CAAMCreative

DIGITAL BASIC BLOCKS & FASHION PRINTS

Learn how to preview, scale & engineer digital prints, using Adobe illustrator, to work with full-scale digital sewing patterns.

Tutorial suggestion - Rachel Loveguts

DIGITISING PAPER SEWING PATTERNS

Learn how to turn your hand-drafted paper sewing patterns into full-scale digital patterns, using a scanner & Adobe Illustrator.

Tutorial suggestion - Rachel Lovelock

ADDING A WAISTBAND & POCKETS

In this tutorial, we show you how to create an external waistband and custom pockets using a basic trouser block.

DRAFTING A HALTER NECK SWIMWEAR PATTERN

DRAFTING AN ASYMMETRIC LEOTARD PATTERN

DRAFTING A BIKINI SWIMWEAR PATTERN

CUSTOMISE THE LENGTH OF AN A-LINE DRESS

DRAFT AN A-LINE DRESS

Draft an A-line Dress Pattern in Adobe Illustrator

DRAFT AN A-LINE DRESS

Draft an A-line Dress Pattern in Adobe Illustrator

ADDING
A DART CAP

Learn three different ways to add a dart cap to a basic block

FASHION PRINTS
& BASIC BLOCK


Learn how to preview, scale & engineer digital prints to work with digital sewing patterns.

DIGITISING PAPER SEWING PATTERNS

Learn how to digitise paper sewing patterns into full-scale digital PDF sewing patterns.

Want More Pattern Making Tutorials?

Now you’ve learned the basics, put your new digital pattern making skills to the test, improve your ability or learn how to draft specific design elements. Take a look at our digital pattern making tutorials on sleeves, necklines dart manipulations and much more. We’ll be extending this existing range with a new digital pattern making tutorial each week.

If there is a specific sleeve or design element that you’d like us to add, follow us on Instagram and leave your suggestion as a comment on one of our existing posts. We’ll review the request and get started. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy our FREE digital pattern making tutorials!

Drafting a Halter Neck Swimwear Pattern – Digital Pattern Making Tutorial

Drafting a Halter Neck Swimwear Pattern – Digital Pattern Making Tutorial

Drafting a bikini swimwear sewing pattern in Adobe Illustrator

Drafting a bikini swimwear sewing pattern in Adobe Illustrator

Drafting an Asymetric Leotard pattern in Adobe Illustrator

Drafting an Asymetric Leotard pattern in Adobe Illustrator

Drafting an A-line dress pattern – digital pattern making in adobe illustrator

Drafting an A-line dress pattern – digital pattern making in adobe illustrator

Matching pattern notches – Pattern making in Adobe Illustrator

Matching pattern notches – Pattern making in Adobe Illustrator

Curving or Smoothing darts – Pattern Making in Adobe Illustrator

Curving or Smoothing darts – Pattern Making in Adobe Illustrator

Creating custom PDF print templates to suit your printer

Creating custom PDF print templates to suit your printer

Adding a dart cap to a basic block in Adobe Illustrator

Adding a dart cap to a basic block in Adobe Illustrator

How to Combine Fashion Prints & Full-Scale Digital Sewing Patterns in Adobe Illustrator

How to Combine Fashion Prints & Full-Scale Digital Sewing Patterns in Adobe Illustrator

Digitising Paper Sewing Patterns

Digitising Paper Sewing Patterns

Waistband and Front Pockets Pattern Making Tutorial

Waistband and Front Pockets Pattern Making Tutorial

Full Circle Stretch Dress Pattern Making Tutorial

Full Circle Stretch Dress Pattern Making Tutorial

Cup Sleeve – Pattern Making Tutorial

Cup Sleeve – Pattern Making Tutorial

Square Neck Side Split Stretch Dress Pattern Making Tutorial

Square Neck Side Split Stretch Dress Pattern Making Tutorial

Square Neck Top with Puff Sleeve Pattern Making Tutorial

Square Neck Top with Puff Sleeve Pattern Making Tutorial

Lantern Sleeve Pattern Making Tutorial

Lantern Sleeve Pattern Making Tutorial

Adding Variable Seam Allowance Pattern Making Tutorial

Adding Variable Seam Allowance Pattern Making Tutorial

Basic Wrap Dress Pattern Making Tutorial

Basic Wrap Dress Pattern Making Tutorial

Bishop Sleeve Pattern Making Tutorial

Bishop Sleeve Pattern Making Tutorial

Scaling a Pattern in Adobe Illustrator

Scaling a Pattern in Adobe Illustrator

Raglan Sleeve Digital Pattern Making Tutorial

Raglan Sleeve Digital Pattern Making Tutorial

A-Line Style

A-Line Style

Crossover Collar Pattern Making Tutorial

Crossover Collar Pattern Making Tutorial

Cowl Neck Pattern Making Tutorial

Cowl Neck Pattern Making Tutorial

Skater Dress Pattern Making Tutorial

Skater Dress Pattern Making Tutorial

Two-Piece Dress Pattern Making Tutorial

Two-Piece Dress Pattern Making Tutorial

Shirt Sleeve Pattern Making Tutorial

Shirt Sleeve Pattern Making Tutorial

Semi-Fitted Sleeve Pattern Making Tutorial

Semi-Fitted Sleeve Pattern Making Tutorial

Straight Sleeve Pattern Making Tutorial

Straight Sleeve Pattern Making Tutorial

Neckline Facing Pattern Making Tutorial

Neckline Facing Pattern Making Tutorial

Custom Neckline Pattern Making Tutorial

Custom Neckline Pattern Making Tutorial

Dart Manipulation Pattern Making Tutorial

Dart Manipulation Pattern Making Tutorial

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This