Pattern Cutting vs Fitting
Understanding the Differences

When it comes to dressmaking, understanding the distinctions between pattern cutting, making your own pattern blocks, and fitting is essential. Each of these skills plays a unique role in the garment-making process, and knowing how they differ — and where they overlap — will help you to decide which class is right for you and how to become a more confident and skilled maker.

Understanding Commercial Patterns

When it comes to using commercial patterns, it's important to understand that each pattern company designs their patterns based on a standard set of sizes. However, there is no universal standard in the industry, meaning that each pattern company may use a slightly different size range or measurement chart. This is why you might find that some patterns fit you better than others, even if they are the same size.

The standard sizes used by most pattern companies tend to be based on an outdated body shape, usually around 5ft5 in height with a B cup bust. If your measurements fall outside of these standards — whether you're taller, shorter, curvier, or have a fuller bust — commercial patterns may not fit you perfectly. It’s not uncommon for sewists to experience issues with gaping at the back waist on trousers, tight armholes, tight across the bust or just downright rubbish fit across the top and shoulders. In fact, it's rare to get a truly perfect fit straight out of the envelope with most commercial patterns.

This is why learning how to make your own pattern blocks tailored to your specific measurements is such a valuable skill. When you create your own blocks, you ensure that the foundation of your pattern is built for your body. Alternatively, if you'd rather work with commercial patterns, learning how to adjust them to fit your unique shape is another great option.

Both skills—creating your own blocks or fitting commercial patterns—are key to making sure that the garment you've spent time and energy making becomes something that fits well and feels comfortable, rather than just another pile of fabric in your sewing stash that you’re frustrated with.

By mastering these techniques, you’ll gain the confidence and knowledge to create wearable, flattering garments that will become true wardrobe staples, rather than unfinished projects. Whether you’re designing from scratch or adjusting a commercial pattern, both skills empower you to take control of your fit and finish your sewing projects with satisfaction.

Pattern Cutting & Making Your Own Pattern Blocks

PATTERN CUTTING CLASSES

If you dream of creating your own designs and garments, our Pattern Cutting Blocks class is for you. This class is all about learning to draft pattern blocks that are custom-made to fit your own measurements. These blocks are the foundational building blocks for every garment you’ll create, from dresses and skirts to jackets and trousers.

By mastering block making, you will have the ability to create patterns from scratch and ensure they are tailored to your body. Once you’ve mastered your blocks, you can then go on to learn how to make changes to them to create any design you can imagine, without relying on commercial patterns. This class gives you the confidence to build your own wardrobe, tailored to your style and measurements, and will help you bring your fashion ideas to life.

What You'll Learn in Pattern Cutting & Block Making:

How to accurately take your own measurements
How to draft a pattern block (skirt, bodice or trousers)

This class is ideal if you want to design your own patterns from scratch — it’s the ultimate way to take full control of your creations. Whether you want to sew your own clothing to fit your exact measurements or develop a unique style, mastering pattern blocks is a game-changer. Once you know how to create your own blocks, you’ll have endless possibilities for designing garments exactly as you envision them.

What is Fitting?

FITTING CLASSES

If you often struggle with commercial patterns that don’t quite fit your body, our Fitting class is the right choice. In this class, you'll learn how to take pre-made patterns and adjust them to fit your unique body shape. This includes making alterations for issues like a large bust, wide shoulders, tight armholes, or gaping waistbands. The focus is entirely on getting the perfect fit, without altering the overall design of the garment.

What You'll Learn in Fitting:

How to adjust commercial patterns to fit your body shape
Techniques for altering bust size, dart position armholes, crotch depth vs length, and more
How to deal with common fitting issues like gaping or tightness
Focused skills that ensure garments fit you, but don't alter the design

Fitting doesn't involve changing or creating new designs. It’s purely about refining the fit, making sure that what you're wearing is comfortable, flattering, and tailored to your unique body shape.

This class is perfect if you're looking to improve the fit of ready-made patterns and learn how to make adjustments that cater to your specific body shape.

How These Skills Overlap

Although pattern cutting and fitting are distinct skills, they do complement each other. Understanding pattern blocks can help you better adjust patterns when you need to tweak the fit. Likewise, the knowledge you gain from fitting will help you refine your blocks to ensure your custom designs fit perfectly.

Which Class Should You Choose?

Choose the Pattern Cutting Blocks class if you want to create your own patterns from scratch based on your own measurements, and if you’re excited about designing unique garments that reflect your personal style.
Choose one of our Fitting classes if you struggle with fitting ready-made patterns and want to learn how to adjust them for a perfect fit without changing the overall design.

Both classes are highly valuable, and we recommend that students interested in garment making consider taking both to become a well-rounded maker. Whether you're designing from scratch or perfecting a fit, each skill set will help you become more confident in your dressmaking journey.