Patternmaking + Design: Creative Darts & Seam Lines
Suzy Furrer
Class Preview
0:47
- In-depth Instruction; over 309 mins
- On-demand video access anytime
- Bonus downloadable PDF resources
- Access to class Q&A
Meet Suzy Furrer
2:22
Meet your instructor, Suzy Furrer, and learn more about using darts and seam lines as design elements in your garments.
The Basics of Dart Manipulation
37:02
Dive right into dart manipulation as you merge multiple darts into one to create a center front dart, then do the same on the back of your pattern.
Dart Variations
34:13
Put your darts right where you want them. Design an armhole dart to the apex, or back it off a little for a smoother bustline. A French dart can add fullness to the bust from below. For color blocking, consider an inset diamond. And why not try a Y-dart? Suzy shows you how!
Gathers & Curves
42:35
Vertical gathers can add interest at the neckline or below the bust. Horizontal gathers can jazz up side panels. Learn Suzy's techniques, as well as how to make curved darts.
Dart Wrap-Up
28:32
Suzy demonstrates how to draft a cowl and facing that incorporate the fabric ordinarily found in your darts, and how to draft darts in a garment without a waist seam.
Princess Line to the Armhole
32:28
A princess seam can incorporate your upper and lower darts for an elegant line. Learn how to draft a princess seam to the armhole, both front and back.
Princess Line Variations
35:52
Why limit yourself to one princess seam? The more seams you have, the better the fit. Suzy shows you how to add a second princess seam as well as side panels for visual interest.
Empire & Babydoll Lines
32:58
A high-waisted garment may be just the style you're looking for. Try drafting an Empire waist or babydoll line with Suzy's guidance.
A-Line, Swing & Double-Breasted Lines
35:19
Even more options await! You can draft an A-line, swing-line or double-breasted blouse, tunic or dress.
Designing Garments For Production
26:56
Whether you're drafting garments for a production line or your own use, you'll appreciate Suzy's tips for creating a clean, well-marked final pattern. She shows you a variety of garment styles and what they look like on paper, giving you inspiration to get designing yourself!
Learn fashion industry skills for drafting custom patterns and creating designer garments that are uniquely yours. Join Apparel Arts founder Suzy Furrer as she builds on her Patternmaking Basics classes and teaches you how to get creative with darts and seam lines. Master dart manipulation fundamentals before moving on to advanced manipulations with multiple darts, gathers or ruching, as well as the industry method of pivoting darts. Then, discover how to draft a world of striking silhouettes featuring princess seams, Empire waists, A-lines and more. Finally, enjoy plenty of design inspiration as Suzy displays how to combine these manipulations to create finished garments such as an A-line dress with a neck dart, a princess-line top with a peplum and a babydoll tunic with pleats.
Suzy Furrer
Suzy Furrer has over 35 years’ experience in the fashion industry. She began her career as a freelance patternmaker and directed the development of capsule collections for small fashion companies. Suzy is the Founder and Director of Apparel Arts (established 1996) and Apparel Arts Productions (www.ApparelArtsProductions.com), an online fashion design school established in 2020. Suzy developed a comprehensive curriculum to give students in-depth training to be strong candidates to enter the workforce in apparel or costume design or to simply build strong sewing and drafting skills for one's own personal use. Apparel Arts has graduated hundreds of students who currently work in the apparel or costuming industries. In addition, she has been an instructor for GAP Inc.’s Product Development Immersion Program. Suzy teaches and speaks at sewing and craft conferences, sewing guilds, and art schools and has taught classes for the employees of entertainment giants Pixar and Lucas Films. She is the author of Building Patterns, The Architecture of Women’s Clothing. Last, but not least, Suzy has taught online pattern drafting classes for Craftsy.com since 2011.
Bonus materials available after purchase