Stop Using Commercial Patterns, Learn Pattern Drafting Instead

Have you ever wanted to throw a project across the room? Has the sizing of a commercial pattern ever let you down? Are you tired of having to make a muslin every time you make a new design? Are you frustrated trying to find pattern styles to your liking? It's time to break up with commercial patterns!

Get yourself a working bodice block and let yourself free.

Make one from a Fitting Shell pattern:

Some Fitting Shell and Block Patterns:

Music and Sound Effects from Epidemic Sound.

More from me?

But wait there's more! A PO BOX finally wahoo!

First, a disclaimer: So many of you have kindly offered to send me things, including vintage items you may have inherited, and I am so honored you would think of me and of course I do adore vintage treasures, however, unfortunately I only have so much storage space currently! So there is a chance that if something just wont work for me, or doesn't fit me etc, that I may not be able to keep all of your lovely things. Please only send things if you are okay with the possibility that I may donate items I just cannot keep. If you would prefer I put things that I can't keep into the TCH Etsy shop to help raise funds for me and the channel, please specify this in a note or letter in your parcel. Thank you so much!

Bianca Esposito
PO Box 632177
Highlands Ranch, CO 80163

Thank you for watching!

[AshLG]

This is so weirdly inspirational I feel like I could do anything. Make a block. Start a fire. Design my own clothes. Rob a bank. The sky's the limit honestly

[brinbrawner]

As a woman who has broad shoulders, a wide rib cage, wide hips, and very little in the chest area, creating my own blocks that I know will fit me sounds FAR simpler than trying to figure out how to modify every pattern I try. Even as a very new sewist, drafting my own patterns still sounds like less work 😂

[kjorndog]

I'm a fashion school dropout and my pattern making teacher was such a beast that she completely scared me out of pattern making. Two years later I'm only just now realizing it doesn't have to be scary because nobody is going to give me a D for using the wrong color pen on my labels or drawing my pattern on the cross grain of the PAPER. The program is actually getting shut down next year because too many people failed or dropped out 🤔

[heyima]

I had actually started by trying to find out how to make my own patterns only to be completely discouraged by all of my results! They were going: you should only do this after you I have a lot of knowledge, and you shouldn’t do this as a beginner, you shouldn’t do it. So stumbling across this was really encouraging because I kept running into discouraging things!

[gittevandevelde]

ok but your gold eyeshadow with the gold flowers in your dress really caught my eye. 100% sure on purpose but with this you have confirmation you made a good choice.

[valeriewade]

Since watching your videoes, pattern sales in my town have plumetted. However, the sales of brown paper and sticky tape is at an all time high. (from the only sewist in my town) Cheers

[panacheluxury]

"Why won't she give them to us?!" I just had to laugh at that, Bianca. Because, what Bianca is saying folks is, it is unique to your body and measurements, and once you learn this not so complicated, but amazing skill, you will see what she means. You will be able to make all the incredible designs you see on Vintage patterns to haute couture designs. Trust us on this one. Excellent job, Bianca!

[waterbitten]

Come for the pattern drafting, stay for all the sass and sometimes cookies!

[celebkiriedhel]

Back when my Grandma was young (early 1900's) sewing and domestic science was taught in school. So a lot of vintage patterns were written knowing that. Its a bit sad that we aren't doing this nowadays.

[ssanderson]

Yay! I jumped straight from zero sewing experience to drafting my own after one disaster with a reproduction vintage trouser pattern, and then watching you draft your own. I just got a book out of the library to start with, which I later bought my own copy of. Completely agree that it make so much more sense to just have your own blocks!

[jemima]

Drafting a pattern when I was a beginner helped me make more sense of the garment construction, where I would get confused with commercial pattern. I am now hooked.

[meaganhuculak]

I took a "make a custom block" class at my local sewing store specifically so I could follow your sewing tutorials! my first project was an all in one sleeve dress and it turned out fab. Lapped zipper and all! Thanks for all the inspiration!

[swingularity]

You're the reason I learned to draft my own patterns. I've never had much luck with the fit of the big 4 patterns but after making a few mockups of my block I've had great success with my drafting. It's so worth it. For the newbies who don't have the order of operations of sewing try to find a copy of vogue sewing, it outlines how to do all of the things. PS your makeup + shirt combo is amazing <3

[rainho]

I’m a complete beginner and feel like patterns are confusing. I looked up “sewing without patterns” and found this. I had never even heard of a block pattern before today. I’m so glad I found this! Now I’m going to check out all your other videos and get started 😊

[morgankilkenny]

"Every time you have a new pattern, you have a new hassle on your hands." This, this is why I've stalled in my sewing. I know I'm late to this party, but I'm so grateful to have found your channel just this week. Every time I think about sewing a pattern in my stash with fabrics I've been hoarding for over a decade, the "but maybe it won't fit" aspect of it destroys all of my motivation. Thank you for unlocking pattern drafting for me, I can't wait to dive in!

[graceanne]

I really love Christopher Sartorial's videos on pattern drafting! He's very clear and concise and he has videos on almost everything needed for a full wardrobe. (Bodice, skirt, fitted blouse/dress, looser blouse/dress without darts, two-piece sleeve, and princess seam bodice/blouse, and collar/lapel.) The only things missing are pants and a regular one-piece sleeve.

[tinajohnston]

You can do it! Pattern drafting seems intimidating from the outside, but it’s a lot easier than it looks. It can be a bit of a struggle to make a block that fits you, but it’s totally worth it. Having the freedom to design your clothes however you want them, and knowing they will fit you, is an amazing experience that you can continue having forever. Go for it, folks!

[croitoriafaraformule]

"Stop using commercial patterns" Amen to that! I also talk from the same dark side of pattern drafting. Been there for more than 15 years now. Still alive and well fitted.

[jeandarbyshire]

So glad to fave found your Chanel! I was a home economics teacher in the late 1960s. I so support the non commercialized patterns for sewing. I made a tailored business suit from a roll of brown paper. So exciting. I don’t sew anymore but I find the interest building…. Thanks for what you are doing!❤

[wdarwiche]

I remember I watched this 8 months ago after having a vision of me making my daughters dress ( no previous sewing experience). Since I have made 3 flower girl dresses and 2 dresses which I wore to weddings. Thank you for this video it gave me the emotional push I needed to just trust my instinct.