Join us today to learn how to translate your draped bodice from our previous tutorials onto paper pattern and how to mark your pattern to later manipulate and sew it into a garment. We previously covered how to take a muslin block and turn it into a draped bodice, so grab your bodice and join us for this new addition!
Prep Your Work Space
Purchase tools we use:
Terms to Know
- Grain: shows the direction in which the fabric needs to be cut
- True: Ensuring that your garment is aligned and accurate by checking that corners are sharp, curves are even, line lengths match, darts are crisp, and all marks are accurate
- Notch: small marks (about ½” long) placed on pattern pieces for proper fabric alignment
Marks You'll Need
- Labels (ei. pattern piece, style, and size (if applicable)
- Grainlines (typically parallel to the selvage)
- Notches (apply to bodice prior to removing from dress form)
- Seams
- Cutting instructions and amounts
- Darts
Draped Bodice to Pattern Paper Procedure
- Lay draped muslin flat on drafting table (tables with cork grips are best for this) and begin truing all marks, including edges and seams that you established when draping.
- Place notches (one mark for front pieces and 2 marks for back pieces) along the shoulder, armhole, and side seam lines (only places notches on one edge of corners).
- Place marked muslin piece under pattern paper and begin transferring all muslin marks. You will also need a marking pen for this step.
Once you’ve completed the front and back bodice, your transfer to paper is complete. In our next tutorial, we will cover the basics of grading a pattern to keep adding skills to our sewing box of wisdom! What will you transfer from drape to paper after your bodice is complete?
What is a good tracing paper? Years ago it was Dritz. Now whatever paper I try, does not work. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Hi Rita, we’re sorry for the delay in responding to your question! We get dozens of comments and questions each day, and so many questions get buried and, unfortunately, unanswered. We are now focusing user support on patterns 2 years and newer. We hope this will prevent questions on our more current patterns from going unanswered. Although this is late, we wanted to respond in case anyone else has the same question: Mood has great selections of tracing paper!