Create Patterns in Adobe Illustrator + FREE Pattern | LYDIA NAOMI

Free Pattern Blocks, Print Template, Example File in .AI and .PDF files:

You can make this Peter Pan collar dress with me and learn how to pattern draft it in Adobe Illustrator. If you're paper pattern drafting you will also learn some tips as well. We will manipulate a bodice and sleeve block to create this dress, then print it on my home print template.

* Beginner Sewing Series *
How to use your Sewing Machine Video: Coming Soon

My Tools
Industrial Straight Stitch Machine - Juki DDL-8700
Domestic Serger/Overlocker - Kenmore 3/4
Domestic Sewing Machine - Kenmore 12
Coverstitch Machine - Janome CPX1000

My Gear

1:01 The Dress Design
2:02 Creating the file, adding blocks
2:44 Create a new layer
3:28 Line Segment as a guideline (creating new neckline)
5:38 Rotating the dart
7:54 How to create the dart bulk
13:06 Shorten sleeve
14:38 Sectioning sleeve for slash and spread
17:10 Spreading the sleeve
18:09 Creating Peter Pan Collar
20:38 Smooth a point to create a better curve
20:59 Reflecting two ways
23:20 Trace sleeve using the pen tool
24:03 Walking a pattern using the rotate tool
27:22 Rectangle tool to create cuff and skirt
28:12 Create Free shape (pocket bag) with rectangle and ellipse tools
30:42 Add seam allowance using offset path
32:04 How to print on your home printer (US letter or A4 compatible)

beginner pattern making / create pdf patterns / adobe illustrator / pattern blocks

[LydiaNaomi]

1:01 The Dress Design
2:02 Creating the file, adding blocks
2:44 Create a new layer
3:28 Line Segment as a guideline (creating new neckline)
5:38 Rotating the dart
7:54 How to create the dart bulk
13:06 Shorten sleeve
14:38 Sectioning sleeve for slash and spread
17:10 Spreading the sleeve
18:09 Creating Peter Pan Collar
20:38 Smooth a point to create a better curve
20:59 Reflecting two ways
23:20 Trace sleeve using the pen tool
24:03 Walking a pattern using the rotate tool
27:22 Rectangle tool to create cuff and skirt
28:12 Create Free shape (pocket bag) with rectangle and ellipse tools
30:42 Add seam allowance using offset path
32:04 How to print on your home printer (US letter or A4 compatible)

[_kenndraaxo]

I got my degree in fashion design in Toronto almost 2 years ago and you have explained things so much better than most profs I’ve had. So I just wanted to say thank you for all you have been doing. I really appreciate it!

[fashionablebri]

Thank you for showing this! I usually make paper patterns so seeing this is quite amazing. This looks like it saves so much time. Would love to see a video on how you grade your patterns in Illustrator!

[DavidHubbardsd]

I wanted to complement you on such an informative, well-constructed video. I have been sewing and working on Adobe Illustrator for many decades (and I mean many) and I have learned a lot from you. You are officially my favorite YouTube sewing instructor. Thanks for creating this video.🎅

[sheilaschulz]

Your video and presentation style are awesome! I'm 3 months away from graduating from a 2 year online fashion diploma, and they expect us to have more skills than they actually teach us! They also stopped teaching digital patternmaking, so I've had to learn on my own b/c I find sitting at a computer easier than hunching over a large piece of drafting paper to work with pens & rulers. The bonus is the drastically reduced paper waste! I only wish I'd discovered you sooner! 😄

[abarts]

After fiddling with print template creation (and wasting paper) your template works like a charm! Thank you for your detailed explanations and sharing your craft. It is a joy to watch!

[LizRose]

I don't know why I didn't think of drafting in illustrator before! This was a really good refresher on the tools to use for certain procedures. I was surprised to see how easy adding the seam allowance was LOL. Great video!!

[madelinegrudens]

I've been making patterns using AI too and you taught me some great tips to help further my progress!!! Thanks so much. I usually keep the individual sloper on a locked layer below the new style, as a point of reference in case I have to make adjustments so I can always refer back to the original. It makes sure my sizes and proportions are consistent.

[Truaura]

It was a delight to watch and learn from you. Thank you for this tutorial! 💖

[helenamchugh]

Just wonderful, and so generous of you to share. Thanks.

[ginnyglezou]

I cannot express how much this video has cleared up for me! Thank you thank you!

[rhm]

I loved this!! Thank you so much for taking your time out. This really simplified so much. I have watched other videos and it was so overwhelming. Great job!!

[msa-fglv]

It's totally my fisrt try of illustlator, but this video taught me whole basic oparations! thank you so much !!

[ValentinaGonzalez-loni]

I love the video it's so detailed. Could you teach us how to grade the patterns for different sizes, or just adjust the pattern to ur size?🥰

[peaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

i just finished my fashion program in toronto this week!! and they never taught us anything nearly this useful in our illustrator course (and luckily i had previous experience with the program) i can’t wait to start drafting 🥰

[keishajordan]

I love watching you go through the process. This has been so very helpful

[MichaelaWagner]

this is so helpful! I'm doing a course that shows us Ai for croquis but not for patten drafting!! thanks so much Lydia <3

[doloresw]

I enjoyed watching how you create the pattern. I'll be honest I'm still learning about drafting so seeing it in this way is very cool and interesting to see it like this

[orosedobheathaabhaile]

Great! Clear, step by step instructions. Thanks.

[wzrdreams]

Firstly, thank you for the wonderful tutorial. I learned a lot of great Illustrator tips and commands from this video. Secondly, I noticed a pattern drafting issue that I see quite often in indie patterns that where likely created in illustrator. The angle of the bust dart legs is changed when moving the dart apex away from the buts apex. This, it changes the angle of the dart leg as it intersects with the side seam and causes the side seam to dip inward at the dart and the tip of the dart intake to extend beyond the side seam when it is folded out and sewn. This is something that gets corrected when drafting in paper during the truing process (fold out the dart intake to check the shape of the side seams). I would recommend printing that front bodice piece to fold out the dart and check the flow of the side seam to determine how to tweak the dart legs and/or side seam to true the pattern.