patternmaking 101

how to draft a

basic skirt block

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what you will learn

in this guide, you will learn how to draft a basic skirt block pattern from your own measurements. a skirt block is one of the most useful foundations in patternmaking. once you have it, you can use it to design pencil skirts, a-line skirts, and so much more. this guide walks you through drafting both the front and back pieces step by step, so you end up with a complete block that fits your body.

measurements you will need

for this tutorial you only need four measurements: your waist circumference, your hip circumference, the distance from your waist to your hip, and your desired skirt length. this interactive guide includes image references for each measurement and is available in both cm and inches, so use whichever you prefer!

enter your measurements

4/4
mannequin

drafting the front skirt

in this section you will find the step by step guide to draft the front piece of your skirt block. take your time with each step and use the image as a reference for the points. there is no need to rush.

step 1 of 714%
01
measurement
draw a straight line down from A to B measuring: 60 cm
from A, draw a line to the right to C measuring: 21.25 cm
click to zoom

drafting the back skirt

the back skirt block follows a very similar process to the front. the main difference is a dart at the back waist, which gives the block a better fit around the hips. follow each step carefully and use the image as your guide.

step 1 of 714%
01
measurement
draw a straight line down from A to B measuring: 60 cm
from A, draw a line to the right to C measuring: 21.25 cm
click to zoom

your skirt block is ready

great work making it all the way through! you now have a complete front and back skirt block drafted from your own measurements. this block is a foundation you will come back to for so many designs. trace it, save it, and start experimenting from here. when you feel ready, head to the roadmap and keep building your patternmaking skills.

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