🚧 UNDER CONSTRUCTION 🚧
How I go from idea to a finished garment.
1
I start by creating detailed flat sketches using Adobe Illustrator. These sketches act as a blueprint for the entire process. They define how the garment's silhouette should look (e.g. whether it should be fitted, loose, or oversized), indicated the construction lines (showing exactly where seams and stitching will be placed), and include design elements like prints, embroidery, pockets, zippers, buttons, and other style details.
2
Next, I use CLO3D, a 3D modeling application specifically designed for the fashion industry. It allows me to draft precise patterns and turn them into the exact garment I wish to make. I can then simulate the garment as a realistic 3D model on an avatar with my own measurements.
Since the patterns are made to scale, I can print them on paper for cutting fabric later. Doing the pattern drafting digitally lets me work much faster than if I had done it on paper with pencils and rulers, as I can easily make changes and instantly visualize how the garment will fit and drape on my body shape.
3
I can't begin sewing before I have sourced the materials I need, such as fabric, zippers, thread, and other necessary supplies. This step, in my opinion, is often the hardest part of the process.
Finding the right fabric can be a challenge, especially for a beginner. Where do I buy from? What is a fair price, so that I don't get ripped off? How do I know if the fabric is of good quality?
If you live in a city with a fabric store that offers a wide selection of fabrics, I suppose this step is much easier than if you rely on online marketplaces like I do. Personally, I quite like Alibaba because there are so many suppliers to choose from – but this can also be overwhelming. I buy samples from suppliers and if I like the quality and price, I order the fabric. The problem with Alibaba is that suppliers often have quite high MOQs (Minimum Order Quanities) and also delivery times is usually about a month as they are often based in China. The MOQ can be 1000 meters, which is of course not feasible for a hobbyist like myself. Luckily, it is possible to find suppliers that will work with smaller quantities of about 20-50 meters of fabric, which is fine for me as I have many projects I work on, but is still quite a lot of fabric if you are not serious about sewing.
4
A nice thing about drafting the patterns in CLO3D is that they can be printed to paper and then drawn on to real pattern paper and cut out into individual pieces.