Newbie, learning from Youtube tutorials.
It seems that all the tutorials are for either creating a block/sloper, or creating a pattern without using a block.
Can you use Seamly to modify a block? Or modify a pattern design?
For instance, if I want to use my block to design a dress?
Hello and welcome, @drhealyourself
Yes, the block is the basically the framework for every other garment that you wish to design and is controlled by the measurements and other objects so that you can load other measurements into the pattern file and the pattern will resize accordingly.
This is why there are so many tutorials on drafting the basic blocks.
If you are working from a pattern making book, then they normally give further instructions on how to change the block into a different design. These instructions are very do-able in Seamly.
Thank you,
I guess I was confused because I saw one video where they said that it was difficult to edit a design in Seamly, so you should export it and edit the block in something like Illustrator.
And since I couldn’t figure out how to edit the block I’m currently creating, I thought it wasn’t possible.
I think that was to do with creating markers and nesting different sizes to sell patterns on the internet. @Douglas is busy with a marker function, so it shouldn’t be too long before we can do everything in Seamly, just the way we like to.
You first need to draft the black lined sloper in Seamly, then you can add the points for a lower and wider neck line & armscye to match the pink lines.
I would love for someone to post a tutorial of how to edit a sloper.
I know how to do the black lines, but if I want to go in and modify my sloper to make something new (like the pink lines), that’s where I’m not clear on what to do.
Grace, I saw where you had responded to another thread years ago, on a similar topic, and you suggested to just draw over the front pattern and then hide it if the lines got distracting.
I think that could work when using a sloper, if I just use it like a template and trace over it, modifying as I go.
You could do that importing an image of the sloper and tracing over that. You would would have to draw a square on the sloper first so that you can use that as a reference for scaling of the image to the correct size when loading it.
That being said… in all honesty drafting a basic bodice block to your measurements is such a simple pattern to draft it may actually be quicker than dealing with an image and tracing.
Once you have the basic block you can then use that as a template to create different styles. Also there is no need to trace over a basic block… you just add new points and curves that will define the outline of pattern piece you wish to create from a block.
I think maybe some explantion of draftblocks, slopers will help.
A sloper is a basic pattern piece that is derived from either drafting or draping on a dress form. They are generally not meant to be used as is, but rather manipluated to create styled pattern pieces. The sloper represents the “grade points” of the body. Think of a sloper as one of the canvas cover pieces that are on a dress form.
In drafting patterns most systems start with drafting the same basic block that again establishes certain points based on the measurments. From there you then draft what ever style.
In Seamly there are 2 modes Draft and Piece… where in draft mode we to"draft block" which may be just the basic block (analagous to a sloper) or also include the style points. While a draft block can display lines, it’s really about locating points and curves… which are then connected to create an outline and saved as a “pattern piece”. You then detail the pattern pieces in piece mode. You can create any number of pieces from a single draft block. Parts you want to hide can be placed in a group and hidden.
Here’s another method that may be of help… If you are able to draw out your full sized sloper on a piece of paper, and locate each corner point on a grid from a reference point, and if you know what sizes that the sloper is created from - you can enter it as a draft block. I outlined such a method when I drafted a shift dress an employee of mine draped on a dress form.
If you would post a screenshot of the sloper draft, we’d have a much better idea where you’re at, & thus be able to tell you what tools to use where in order to achieve your desired results. The picture you have posted so far doesn’t even illustrate that you have even touched Seamly.
I’m actually following the tutorial for the Helen Joseph Armstrong bodice sloper, but the purpose is I have a bigger plan to create a self-drafted wardrobe. And I’m wondering if I’m wasting my time using Seamly, or would another software be a better match for what I would like to do.
You have to be more specific. What tutorial… where?
Of course Seamly is capable of drafting anything you want. The point is you have to start somewhere, which means you have to get the basic block / sloper INTO Seamly first. The fact you’re asking if it’s waste of time I have to ask what’s your experience level in drafting patterns?
Don’t know if you’ve seen this series of videos, but you may find them useful:
What I do is, I put the basic draft into a group. Then I make changes to the design by adding points to the existing draft and rotating parts around to change the position of the darts, etc. etc. Here is an image of my HJA basic sloper with the bust adjustment:
Here is the same image but the basic sloper is hidden by closing the eye on the group:
The same again with the dart rotated to the side waist:
Same with dart at the side of the bust:
Same with dart at mid armscye:
If you follow the instructions in the HJA book, and practice using the tools in Seamly, you’ll be able to do the same.
I have a beginners Zoom call on Wednesdays, where I’m happy to answer questions and show people how to do things. If you would like to join in, please let me know and I’ll happy to add you to the group. Unfortunately, there won’t be a meeting next week, but there will be one the week after that.
This is the tutorial I’m following.
