Introduction to Patternmaking Series (Pattern Basics & Pattern Slopers & Fit) Portland Fashion Institute’s patternmaking series is the most comprehensive series in Portland. With these classes, you will be ready to design clothes — for yourself or others.  You will have patterns that fit and you’ll be able to turn it into innumerable designs for skirts, shirts and blouses, dresses and pants. You will learn how to make patterns, fit them, manipulate them, design them then make them for knits. Sign up for the classes one at a time or sign up for the whole series for a discount.

Pattern 1: Patternmaking Intro. Draft slopers made to your body measurements. Unlock the mysteries of fit.
Level 1: Upper Body. Start with a torso sloper that you can use for dresses, jackets and coats. Create a bodice sloper for blouses and shirts. Then go to sleeves.

Level 2:  Lower Body. Create a skirt sloper.  Finish with pants.  Apply your slopers to commercial patterns to make them work for you!  Prerequisite: Level 1

Prerequisite: Apparel Construction (can be taken at the same time), experience with commercial patterns. We require Apparel Construction as a pre-requisite for Patternmaking because you will need to sew prototypes from muslin to test your patterns.  If you are interested in testing out of Apparel Construction, please answer the following questions and you will know if you are ready!