Just in time for the holidays, we have a giveaway of Connie Crawford’s Patternmaking Made Easy. Yay Connie!
For those who don’t know, this is the book I recommend most to those looking for a comprehensive (exhaustive) survey of pattern making reference skills. As such, I’m very pleased to be hosting this giveaway.
I realize only one person can win but Connie is offering a 20% discount to those who choose to buy it. Use coupon code FASANELLA at check out. It’s a great last minute gift idea for that someone special on your list -even if that’s you.
The reason I like this book over so many others in the marketplace is because it includes more precise information about production requirements. For example, I recently published a post about fusing maps -Connie provides this information as a matter of course. So many other books do not because students are told that once on the job, “the production pattern maker” will take care of anything that is extraneous to the fun part of design. To that I say who is training production pattern makers if books aren’t and also, most places don’t have a dedicated production pattern maker. One pattern maker does it all. It was like that even when I started over 30 years ago. But I digress.
Connie will also be coming out with a new grading book next Spring, probably March. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to that. She is sending me an advance copy next week for peer review so I will have more information to give you then. We have needed a good grading book for a very very very long time. The only one I have been able to recommend is out of print so I’m hoping this will be a good replacement for it.
Edit: For those who asked, this book is available on Amazon.
To enter the giveaway, mention the subject of Connie’s upcoming book in your comment. And remember, anyone can use the discount code for purchasing. Good luck!
Why is the book not available on amazon? Will be looking forward to the grading publication!
Thank you Kathleen, for this post and the coupon code.
It’s good to know that somebody other than yourself has written on the topic of production requirements. Does this book cover the truing/trueing of seams at all? After pondering your examples in TEG2SPM, I googled in vain for further information. (The hobby sites have an entirely different interpretation of the term, and thus don’t count). I’m particularly interested in the truing/trueing of collars and corners in production patterns.
I can’t wait to hear more about the grading book; happy reading and I hope it lives up to expectations. (I also hope it comes with metric conversions, but if not I will pencil them in, as I do with your book).
Finally, wishing you and yours well over the festive season, and thank you for providing so much food for thought in 2012.
Analogous? Yes.
The skirt and sleeve and ballgown
obey the same rules.
G: It is on Amazon.
It would be so much easier to refer people to a good grading book than to actually go back and have Handford reprinted. (Is there any possibility of that, by the way?)
I have a few patternmaking books already, but this one sounds great, thanks for the review. I do know the books I have now are missing some critical information and would love to be entered in the drawing for Patternmaking Made Easy. Thanks for the coupon code, I may use that! The upcoming grading book is definitely something to look forward to, thanks for the heads up.
Hello Kathleen! I have been lurking lately, but I still read every post of your blog. Grading is a mystery to me, as is patternmaking, but I have no lack of curiosity about either topic! I would like to read both of Crawford’s books: Patternmaking Made Easy and the upcoming book on grading.
I have amassed quite a few pattern books over the past few years, including others you have mentioned here on the blog, but I have no grading books. Its a real mystery to me since we spent all of two days in school going over it, so I’m looking forward to that release. In the mean time, I’ll try to get my hands on a copy of the pattern making book. Thank you for the giveaway!
Thanks for the info on Connie’s book! I have other patternmaking books, and like many fashion design/patternmaking/how to start a clothing business book, it is more a gloss over and doesn’t get into the nitty-gritty realistic details of how to do things. I always think of new questions and this seems like it would be a good addition to my library. Crossing my fingers during the drawing! :)
Thanks, this would make a great X’mas gift. Oh! Heck, I’ll take the grading one too. I’m sure I have to learn some of that too. I am after all, very eager to learn.
A book on patternmaking by Connie! What a wonderful give away.
I’ve had my eye on this book for a while, so appreciate your review (and discount code). Connie’s new grading book will be something to forward to as well. Thanks for a great blog.
I would love to win this book; I have other of her book’s, but not this one. The grading book will be helpful for me as I sew for a plus size friend and can never get the pattern right! Thank you so much for this give away!
I already have this fantastic patternmaking book so I’m not putting my name in the drawing, but I am very excited to hear that she’s releasing a grading book!
For some reason this book by Connie Crawford isn’t already in my collection, win or lose however it will be. Her art of draping was one of my college texts, and I can’t wait to learn great things from her new book on grading!! woot woot!
Thanks for this giveaway opportunity! I enjoy your website and have learned a great deal from it which I have incorporated into my home sewing.
I have been looking around for good resources to learn pattern grading but have only been able to find a handful of Threads articles on the topic. I would love to see a comprehensive book about grading.
I am self-taught, or rather book- and internet-taught, when it comes to sewing and always look forward to finding well-structured information. I have a different pattern making book and would be interested in Connie Crawford’s approach.
I’d love to be entered in the drawing for Patternmaking Made Easy — and I’m looking forward to the grading book because a good grading reference could truly help me simplify one of the projects I have slowly percolating on my to do list.
I used the FASANELLA coupon and it worked. Ty very much !
I already own this book, so don’t need to win it, just wanted to comment on how much I loved it. It was the primary patternmaking text at my school. And, interestingly enough, we didn’t have a grading textbook because our faculty never found one good enough…so I’m really looking forward to seeing her new book…perhaps she’ll offer one to give away after it’s published (hint, hint)!
I have one book on grading that I found in a Goodwill store and wonder if anyone has heard of it. The title is simply “Essentials of Pattern Grading” by Moira Doyle and Jason Rodgers. The blurb under the title was amusing although accurate to my mind on the complexity of the subject – “The projection of Cartesian Coordinates into a Spherical Geometry of Fractal Order 2.5. Using Collinear Scaling as the Algebraic Matrix…Clarified.”
Sounds easy to me.. not. < : ) I wonder how it will compare to Connie's upcoming book on grading? I have her draping book and have tried basic things when time allows.
The book in your giveaway sounds great, I don't think I've seen it before, but want to now. Here's hoping I get a chance. < : )
Shelley
A new grading book! It is so needed as everything else is outdated, too complex, or out of print. Can’t wait!
I’d love to win Connie’s book. And I’ll be looking forward to details on the new grading book you and Connie are working on :) Thanks for the giveaway!!
Ooh! Please count my conspicuous mention of Connie Crawford’s upcoming grading book.
And I’m looking forward to the book itself. Grading is fascinating, and I wonder how grading rules can/should change as our population ages and gains in average weight. I look forward to reading what Crawford has to say about it.
I’ll be looking for Connie’s new book on grading!
Thank you for the giveaway offer!
Shelley, I have this book. I would have to say that the subtitle is pretty much goobley-gook -which is not to say it won’t be useful to a lot of people. It seems evident that the authors definitely worked very hard to make the subject as approachable as possible so maybe the subtitle was tongue in cheek? That’s the idea I get.
There were some things I found useful to explain things to people. See page 225; this shows where a sleeve grows and how much, to match the front bodice. Page 18 was useful for those who might not fully understand how Cooklin (et al) was illustrating notation. I’m sure people will take from it based on their needs so others may have other opinions.
I would love to be entered in the giveaway for Connie’s Patternmaking Made Easy book. I have wanted to have a chance to see it since your comparison of the patternmaking books and your enthusiastic recommendation of it. It will be interesting to see your review of Connie’s new grading book. If the only recommendable grading book (I assume you mean the Handford book – I’ve read your review on Amazon) is out of print, then there is definitely a need for a good book on grading. I hope Connie’s is the one. Thanks for offering the giveaway and the discount.
This is awesome! What a great win. I love grading books. There’s simply too few on the market.
My daughter would love all of these books. And a book on grading? How useful!
I went to the website to buy it and I’m confused, does it come with a grading work book mentioned in my cart? Or is this simply pre-ordering the grading book in the spring. Thanks as always.
I’d love to win – and am interested in the grading book too. Seems like there’s not much out there on that – or I’m not looking in the right places.
I really like your blog – I mostly just lurk as I am a recreational sewist with a love of patternmaking. In a different life I’d have been a patternmaker for sure.
I, too, am looking forward to the Connie Crawford’s upcoming book on grading! In the meantime, I would LOVE to get my hands on Pattern Making Made Easy!
I need this book! And, a good book on pattern grading would be very useful as well.
Sorry Dara, the link I had was from my own shopping cart. It’s fixed now.
Love her other patternmaking book. Can’t wait to check out this one as well.
Oh my, I would love to win this book. It was the first one I read on patternmaking, and I read it cover to cover before having to return it to the owner. I was 14 years old. For some reason, I have never purchased my own copy… Just added to my collection when I found cheap yard-sale pattern making books, I guess!
If I don’t win, I think I’ll have to break down and get my own… The new grading one too… I can’t wait to hear more about it!
Jordan
I have had a chance to look through this book and thought it was great, would love to own it. Thanks for telling us about her upcoming book on grading, it will have to go on my “must have” list.
Please enter me into the drawing for Patternmaking Made Easy. It sounds great, and I don’t have it (yet).
Looking forward to the grading book. Hope that one is available on Amazon.
Will be spending alot more time refining my pattern making skills in the new year, so Connie Crawford’s “Pattern making made easy” would be a very helpful tool.
I would to win a copy of Patternmaking Made Easy. I am just learning how to make “professional” patterns and would love any help I can get. Maybe by the time the Grading Book comes out I will be ready for that too!
Would also love a suggested list of books as I slowly build my library from Kathleen or other members. If it has already been posted, maybe someone can email me the link. Thanks.
I would like to have this pattern making book, and heck, the grading book too. The grading book we got in school was awful. I have Connie Crawford industry sewing book and much of it is good. I think this patternmaking book will be very helpful.
I’d love to have this book. I’m really interested in the grading book. I’ve tried grading once and it came out horribly wrong. I need all the help I can get.
I live in the woods of fashion if it’s of any relevance. Lots of CMT but of a mediocre home industry standard mostly. Questionable standards available for sizing garments. Everyone thinks my job is glamorous (not!) and involves keeping well-manicured fingers pointed at hordes of elves doing pattern and sewing work (obviously wrong!)
I collect pattern books for reference: Aldrich, Armstrong-Jones, ESMOD’s textbooks, copies of Vincent, the Italian Alta Moda book, the odd local pattern books, Bunka, Pattern Magic (in Japanese!)… as long as there’s coherent instruction/charts and cash, it’d be in my possession.
I currently use a combination of Price/Zamkoff, Aldrich and pattern drafts of various garments made by a local pattern-cutter to hone the sizing grade for me (he knows how the local sizing works, I reverse-engineer his drafts). I recently ordered a reprinted Hanford, and is thinking of getting a Shoben stretch book. I need Crawford’s book on grading because I suspect my go-to-for-grading pattern cutter is not well-versed in grading jersey garments, which means I’ll have to do more grading myself.
I saw this book on amazon and wondered if it was worth buying. I usually stay away from titles that say “made easy” because they too often turn out to be either fluff or anything but easy. Thank you for this recommendation. I’m very much looking forward to the grading book this spring. I have the Handford book and also looked at a few grading books online at the library of congress website. It will be nice to have a current book on grading…hopefully with clear instruction on the process.
A grading book sounds perfect right now!
Like Allea L, I also sew a lot of plus sizes, and grading to the correct shape is challenging. Connie’s patternmaking book would be a real advantage, especially as it’s ‘made easy’.
Ooohhh – should I buy myself another pattern making book? It is the holiday season afterall! … and then there will be the new pattern grading book soon enough…… temptation be gone!!
Thank you for offering us a chance to win a Connie Crawford book. My library could definetly use more production type knowledge, like fuse maps. I still have the text we used for the grading unit in school. I can’t wait to read your review of Connie Crawford’s upcoming book on pattern grading; I hope it exceeds expectations.
For some reason when I went to FIDM about 10 years ago they issued us with the Armstrong book even though Connie used to teach there. Ditto for the community college I took classes at. So now I have two editions of the Armstrong book which I never use. We did use her draping book which I love which might explain why I’m better at draping even though flat pattern appeals to me more.
After years of not sewing at all after throwing myself into nursing I find I need to reteach myself pattern making the right way but I never considered the Crawford book since I had soured on pattern making textbooks in general.
Hi Kathleen:
Please enter my name into the giveaway of Patternmaking Made Easy by Connie Crawford. I’m doing research for a business idea, and am seeking to understand both the technical aspects and the business aspects of apparel manufacturing today. The content on your website is great! Very much appreciated.
LOVE this book I’ve had it for a while.
I’d love to be entered in the drawing for Patternmaking Made Easy — I have several books, but none of them are easy. Enthusiast (your term) here.
This book has been on my wish list! I recently bought your book and I am eager to read more that you recommend. Thanks for hosting the giveaway…cross my fingers!
I originally purchased the 2005 version of Patternmaking Made Easy and must say it is very well used (and shows it). I use it constantly and primarily for skirt and pant drafting. It is the suggested purchase for many of my students. I’ve enjoyed Connie’s classes, books and patterns for years and am anxiously awaiting the grading book.
This book has been on my Wish List for some time.
Since both my daughter and I are learning to make patterns, we would both use the book heavily.
Since we’re enthusiasts, we don’t need Connie’s book on grading, but I’m sure it will be excellent and is needed.
I definitely need both of these books – both the pattern-making one and the grading one. Thank you so much, Kathleen; as always, your information is incredibly helpful.
This looks like a great book, and the one on grading will be so helpful! Thanks Connie and Kathleen.
I would love to check out Pattern Making made easy, since you speak so highly of it. It could be a useful addition to our staff library.
I have one of Connie’s sewing books, but would love to have all her others, including the new grading book coming out next year.
You mean just mention patternmaking and one qualifies for the draw? :) Thank you, Kathleen. I know I need to learn more about production patternmaking and having this book would be great.
The realm of pattern making is a new one for me. I’d love to learn more about it. Thank you!
I’d love to have this book – I have the Armstrong book but haven’t found it as helpful as I thought it would be. I’m also looking forward to the book on grading; it would be great to have a definitive book on this!
I would love to win the book on patternmaking. And a book on grading would be helpful as well!
I would love to check out this book. I can not wait until the grading book comes out. I am hoping to learn about pattern grading when the new book comes out. I need to learn all I can about production pattern making.
Thanks
This would be very appreciated as I do custom sewing for people. The book on grading would also be a very useful tool to use for custom work. I have enjoyed using Connie’s patterns.
The upcoming grading book really intrigues me, as much as the pattern making book. When I first started sewing as a teenager around 1972, I would buy outdoor equipment kits from Frostline and make jackets, vests, packs and down sleeping bags for myself, family, and friends, and would trace the pieces onto newspaper as patterns. I had no books of any kind, and tried scaling things up and down for different sizes, with varied results. Not that their designs were all that great anyway, from a fit standpoint, and I really didn’t know now to make curves fit straight or other curves. But it was fun and held my interest.
Now I am making my patterns for bags and packs, and the grading process is not the same as for apparel, but I’m sure I could apply some of the same concepts to my products.
Thanks again Kathleen for starting a stimulating discussion.
Count me in on the giveaway, but I am SO looking forward to the grading book! When I was in tech design, you would not believe (well, maybe you would) the motley assortment of information folks collected on the subject.
Thanks
I would like to be entered in the drawing for Patternmaking Made Easy.
Thank you!
So looking forward to the grading book.
Patternmaking Made Easy sounds fantastic, thanks for the giveaway!
Here’s the link to my favorite pattern drafting books. A bit dated but it should help.
Nope. Re-read the entry. Several people who have posted comments haven’t followed the instructions and as such, aren’t entered for the drawing.
Wow! A lot of members want to win Connie’s pattern making book as well as purchase her new grading book when it comes out in spring. You can never have too many reference books when it comes to pattern making and grading, especially if you want to be a great pattern maker.
New grading book. cannot wait for it.
I have a hard time finding clothing or patterns that fit my….uh….fluffy body and learning to draft patterns is a dream of mine. I would love to win her pattern making book and am happy she has written a book on grading.
Win or lose I will ask for these two books for gifts even though I just learned PAD.
Thank you for this opportunity and news about the upcoming grading book.
Thanks for the review on the book. I have a few of Connie’s books and look forward to seeing what this newest one has to offer. Good timing as well…I am teaching pattern drafting for spring semester!
I love pattern making books! Connie’s Pattern Making Made Easy needs to be in My bookcase. It’s such a great thing to be able to open up a few books and compare the specifics. If I don’t win, I do appreciate the discount. It’s going to come, either way.
I love Connie’s books but I don’t have this one (so I am entering this givaway gladly!) I think having Connie’s upcoming book on grading in the martket will be great! Specially if reviewed by Kathleen who is no-nonsense and will say EXACTLY what she sees as right or wrong it will be a wonderful book for sure!
Thank you for hosting the giveaway. Connie’s Patternmaking made Easy has been on my wish list and I look forward to her book on grading!
Oooooh! Connie Crawford’s patternmaking book would be a wonderful addition to my library-and it would be in constant use! Most of my pattern-drafting knowledge has been cobbled together through a few classes and the internet–and a lot of experimenting!
Her upcoming grading book sounds terrific. I definitely need to learn and understand the grading process. I’ve learned a bit from your posts, Kathleen, but I haven’t found a lot of solid information about grading.
Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
Wow…this is great. I’ve been hunting down all kinds of pattern making books recently and just bought one from 1969. I’d like to take a look at this one.
It is great to hear about a new patternmaking book by Connie Crawford. By her it is bound to be good, strike that, GREAT. I would love to have it, but don’t put me in, since my desire is academic. I already have a far better professional library from reading your blog than I ever did when I was actively working. I will probably wind up with both this and the grading book eventually.
Right now I am reading David Birnbaum. It seems incredible that I left the garment industry (as an active participant) about the same time he started writing.
thank you Kathleen, cannot wait for the grading book coming up! Also for the Amazon link :-)
Oh, wow! A new book on grading. If you review it well, I’ll definitely buy it.
This pattern making book sounds very helpful.
I either missed my comment or I deleted it instead of hitting enter. I used the discount and ordered something.
I look forward to seeing the Connie Crawford’s new book on grading coming out. I have looked at the Handford but it is just too expensive.
Thanks for the great giveaway! This patternmaking book and her grading book coming out soon are both on my wishlist. Thanks again!
I’m really looking forward to reading Connie’s new book on pattern grading when it comes out in the spring!
I opened “my yahoo page” this morning, for the first time ever, and this was at the top of the page:
I was astounded, and dismayed! My name is Connie – just yesterday I picked up a book from my local library, which I had requested last week through the library network – Professional Pattenmaking for Designers of Women’s Wear, by Jack Handford – c 1974. Yep, it’s old, but it’s the best book on the subject in the entire library network.
I was relieved to realize that this was a real giveaway offer, from you, and not a come-on from some nefarious yahoo huckster making recommendations based on reading my e-mails!
And I’m going to recommend that our library get some of Connie Crawford’s books!
“For some reason when I went to FIDM about 10 years ago they issued us with the Armstrong book even though Connie used to teach there. Ditto for the community college I took classes at. So now I have two editions of the Armstrong book which I never use. We did use her draping book which I love which might explain why I’m better at draping even though flat pattern appeals to me more.
After years of not sewing at all after throwing myself into nursing I find I need to reteach myself pattern making the right way but I never considered the Crawford book since I had soured on pattern making textbooks in general.”
The grading book is definitely on my must have list. I never got as far as grading when I was at FIDM (life got in the way) and never got to take the grading course at the community college because it was only offered every 2 years and they were hemming and hawing over to whether to switch over to using Gerber CAD for grading or teach manually with the old Dariomatics.
Thank you so much Kathleen and Connie for this giveaway. When I first stumbled on this site I immediately felt that the writer had authority, and was honest. I find all aspects of pattern making very interesting. It is something that I wish I had realized when I had the opportunity to choose a field of study.
Alas, I chose to study something I never really found interesting. And wasted valuable years of my youth. Now with 2 small children, my dream of making professional patterns is just that, a dream. The budget is tight with only a one income in our household, and Kathleen’s book is first on the list, Connie’s second. So what a great opportunity.
Hearing of an upcoming book on grading is so exciting! And puts a third book on my list, cannot wait to hear your review Kathleen. I know you will provide an honest review, which is tough to find these days!
Although Ms. Crawford’s upcoming book on grading is not useful to me yet (I don’t know enough yet to understand the subject), I would like to be entered to win the patternmaking book.
a grading book? uuuhhh, I am looking forward to that. Will you post when it’s out?
Thank you Kathleen! It would be a very Merry Christmas to win a copy of Connie Crawford’s new book,
Patternmaking Made Easy. The 20% discount code, FASANELLA, for the new book is generous too! I look forward to your review of Connie Crawford’s new grading book after it’s spring debut.
How exciting that Ms. Crawford is coming out with a grading book! I’ve been searching for something along those lines ever since I discovered that the Handford grading text is out-of-print and expensive.
Thank you for hosting the giveaway for the patternmaking book!
I love love love patternmaking, not sew much the sewing any info about making the process more concisie is always welcome I would love to acquire this book by Connie Crawford thanks for the opportunity Kathleeen!
I would so love to have and to use this book on Patternmaking by Connie Crawford. Thank you for offering it also.
I’ve been keeping my eye out for a second-hand copy of this pattern book. So, now I’ll have to keep an eye out for Connie’s grading book too. I already have an early edition of her Guide to Fashion sewing.
Thanks for holding the contest!
Not only is the Fashion Incubator a daily read here at work, it is a go-to for advice on how
to deal with everything from tricky clients to childrenswear. I would love a chance to study
Connie Crawford’s Patternmaking Made Easy book. I am the current patternmaker for an apparel
contractor that has been in business for over 37 years. I am 2 years out of school and learn something new everyday. I would love to use this book to expand and review the knowledge I use
everyday and from Virginia Tech.
How great!, will love to see Connie’s pattern grading book. I have one of the previous mentioned books in grading that Kathleen recommended (bought it via amazon),it will be a great addition to my library of patterns if i win the pattern book.
I would love the pattern making book and am looking forward to the grading book. Thanks.
I’d love to win a copy of Connie’s book (I surprisingly don’t have it!) and I will definitely be purchasing her grading book when it is released. I can’t wait for a review, and please mention what market segments she covers!
I’ve been sewing for 40 years and love pattern-making. There’s a lot I still don’t know and would love to have Connie Crawford’s book. Thanks for offering it.
I’ve gotten Connie’s book via inter library loan a couple times. It’s next on my list to purchase. A good pattern grading book – That’s in print! – will be wonderful.
Thanks!
I would love to win this book. I have several others by Connie Crawford and love them. The woman is a walking encyclopedia of sewing knowledge. As for her upcoming book; anything that can simplify pattern grading is a welcome addition to my sewing library. :)
I would love to win this book, looking forward to Connie’s grading book.
You don’t recommend books often, so look how many little ears perk up when you do! I’d love copy.
A grading book is at the top of my list of must haves in the new year and now I will be adding Connie Crawfords Pattern Making Made Easy to the list. Next year is going to be all about improving my limited skills in pattern making and grading, but first on the list will be renewing my Fashion Incubator Forum membership, just need to get through the holiday season first . Merry Xmas and Happy New year to all :)
Really looking forward to Connie’s book about grading. I really love to have knowledge from those who have credible experience.
Patternmaking Made Easy is a book which has been on my “covet” (not “wish”) list for quite some time. I will also keep my fingers crossed; it would be so cool to win a copy.
And I will eagerly await the new grading book coming out in spring. Hey – March is my birthday – hint hint hint….
Oh wow!!! I would totally love love LOVE to have this book! I am currently making my own patterns already in the fashion of using a ready made garment as my guide. I am looking forward to seeing more classes and books from Connie!
Super! I hope I win! And I am certainly going to check out The grading book too!
This book looks fantastic! I am really interested in patternmaking and how grading works.
Wonderful! I was lucky to get a copy of the Handford book (on your recommendation) at a reasonable price a year or so ago, but we certainly do need a grading text that is easier to get ahold of. Thank you!
I would love to win this book! They’re aren’t enough like them available.
Love her book on draping, and look forward the one on pattern grading!
Thanks for the heads-up on this discount. I’m definitely interested in owning this book and I am also looking forward to the grading book next year.
I could really use a book on grading – the vintage patterns I buy are never in my size.
Wow, I would really enjoy Connie’s patternmaking book, and I’m looking forward to the grading book also. Now if only we could get my school to switch from the Armstrong book to this one…
“Free” sure brings people to the comments page.
Thanks for the clarification Kathleen!
Ahhh, Connies upcoming grading book should be an interesting addition to the field, and i would like to enter the draw for a copy of Patternmaking made easy since it is so highly regarded here.
I know. I subscribed to the comments feed like I usually do when I comment and my inbox exploded overnight.
Hi Everyone:
I have been reading all of your nice comments. It is a thrill to see so many people want both the patternmaking book and the grading book.
Patternmaking Made Easy is available through Amazon. We, however, also offer it through our web site.
The new grading book will be in full color with quite a few additional subjects offered in the second edition that should be out in the Spring. We also offer a special grading ruler to do your grading if you do not have the grading machine or a computer.
The other books that I have authored is A Guide to Fashion Sewing that covers — step-by-step all the sewing techniques that you need to know in the fashion industry. Also, the draping book, The Art of Fashion Draping 4th edition was released in March. This newest edition added 100 pages and quite a few new subjects. Also, the book is in color and every single illustration was redone and updated in Adobe Illustration. Because this book really looks wonderful, I have been nomination for the Golden Pen Award on this book which honors a major publication that promotes theater and the arts. I should know by the end of January if I win.
Also, I would like to encourage you to try to attend one of my workshops this next year. You can check my schedule after January and look at my schedule and where I will be. For the ladies in Florida, I will be there the third weekend of January.
Each workshop will give each attendee a custom fitting of the CS1201 which is a pattern that has sizes 8-20 and then 1X to 6x four times–one set for the A/B cups, another set for the C/D/DD cups, another set for the DDD/F/G cups and yet another set for the H/I cups. I bring all 60 sizes sewn up so the fitting are quick and simple. Then I fill out a paper that tells you how to adjust the pattern. Usually most people have no changes because the cup sizes are now correct and the shoulders are proportioned correctly. And, because I know grading so well, I have given my grader special instructions to make sure they only grow where necessary. This set of patterns took me 6 years to develop. I even traveled to Australia last year and fitted several hundred ladies there.
At the workshop, then I show you how to mix and match patterns so you can make your own designs and maintain the your fit instantly.
At some of these workshops I will also be giving a grading program.
If you ladies need to email me, I am at service@fashionpatterns.com
Everyone have a wonderful Holiday and stay health!
Connie Crawford
I’d love to have a chance to win Connie’s free book. I’m also very interested in the new grading book.
Grading book, grading book! But, I’m most excited about pattern making. Wouldn’t that be something to add to my forte!
I would love to win Connie’s book. Patternmaking is something I need to learn more about.
I would like to know if the upcoming grading book deals with children’s sizes as well!
I will definitely look for both publications.
Never get tired of seeing how different pattern makers approach the craft. Very interested in Connies book. Please enter me in the drawing.
Cheers,
J
Having just come through my first production season, and all of the pattern issues that involved, I am now trying very hard to beef up my pattern making skills. I’ve just taken delivery of some shoe-making pattern making books (Larry Waller at Walrus Shoe sells them, if anyone wants to know). Shoes and Connie’s book. Yes, there is a connection. Really truly!
I would love the chance to win Connie’s book. Where does Connie hold the classes that she mentioned?
Grading is way beyond my knowledge level right now, as I’m in the early stages of learning patternmaking. Your blog and the resources you recommend (like Connie’s books!) are inspiring as I build my knowledge base! Thanks for all the hard work you put into this blog.
I’ve seen the 1st edition of Connie’s book. I’ve heard the 2nd edition is even better.
I’ve always been kind of intimidated by patternmaking. I would love to see if Patternmaking Made Easy could explain the process well to me
Unfortunately,I won’t be able to attend Connie’s workshop as I live in a tiny island in the Maldives but I would love to have her patternmaking book .
I only wish I had known about Patternmaking Made Easy when I was frantically searching for a pattern book. This book appears to offer exactly what I was looking for and could not find. Looks like it presents pattermaking theory and design styles in a concise, accessible, easily referenced format and even details the logistics (fabric characteristics, pattern marking, sewing techniques, etc.) to make a pattern feed correctly through to a precisely finished garment. Eureka! I hope I am right on this…
I would love to own a pattern making book that is highly recommended by you! I love learning more about patternmaking. I am also now really looking forward to the grading book and will put it on my list of presents for several people!
I would love to learn the Easy way to make patterns! Please enter me in the drawing.
Thanks to Connie and Kathleen!
This is an AWESOME contest prize!!! I have been lusting after Connie Crawford’s “Patternmaking Made Easy”, but sadly cannot afford to splurge on this book. This is not to say that it’s not worth every penny. I’ve kept my earlier edition of Crawford’s draping textbook from my pattern drafting classes from many years ago. Her illustrations are clear and concise and yet very beautiful. Well, I think they’re beautiful.
Thank you for offering this contest, but an even bigger THANK YOU for sharing so much information on the industry techniques and practices. I love reading your blog. Best wishes for a very happy holiday season!
Sara
Toronto, ON, Canada
I actually graded a pattern recently! Only with knowledge I’ve already read here. Was suprised I got it to worked, but it was a simple pattern. So, thanks for your help, whether you knew it or not.
Would love to win the copy of Patternmaking Made Easy. Thank you for the fun giveaway.
Pattern drafting is my favourite.. I love to think out of the box and draft my own custom clothing.. Right now I am using DIY Clothes by Cal Patch.. Would love to win this.. A Pattern grading book .. Sounds interesting too.. Thanks for hosting this giveaway..
Thank you Kathleen for the tip on this book. One can never have enough reference books on pattern making and grading. As long as I live I shall always be learning something new about clothing and the industry.
Oooh an upcoming book on grading – enough to stop me being lazy and instead just get on with it :-)
I recently saw Connie at the Seattle International Textile Expo where she spoke about Upcoming Fashion Trends. She is a great speaker and has some fabulous books. I would like to add Pattern Making Made Easy to my collection and am also looking forward to her grading book! Thanks, Connie, for all you do!!!
I would LOVE to add this book to my library!!! And I am looking forward to practicing more grading on my quarter scales with Connie’s new upcoming book! This is exciting!
would love to have this awesome book
Thank you Connie Crawford for all the intense work of writing the patternmaking and grading books. It is a monumental task. I sure would love to win the contest but I plan to add everyone to my library and recommend that my design school change to her book for their curriculum so new students can start out with a better knowledge base!
Hello everyone. I hosted a workshop with Connie in 2004 in Syracuse, NY. I was able to purchase a few of Connie’s books including the 1st edition of Pattern Making Made Easy at the workshop. I still have it although it’s pretty worn out, I use it to teach our students. I would love a copy of the second edition. We use all books by Connie Amaden-Crawford to teach our curriculum and as a result we have a 100% acceptance rate of our students (local high schoolers) gaining acceptance in fashion colleges (FIT, SCAD, Tennessee State, Cazenovia College and Clark Atlanta). I’m excited about the second edition and the grading book!
I’ m so excited. I can’t wait to start this book. And then when her new book comes out in the spring I’ ‘ll have another to start.
Oh, grading! I’ve actually been needing to research that, with all the vintage patterns I’ve amassed. Thank you for the giveaway, I could learn so much from the Patternmaking book!
I look forward to seeing your input on Connie Crawford’s upcoming book on pattern grading. Please consider this corrected entry.
If you most recommend Connie’s book, Pattern Making Made Easy, I’d like to have it. After many years of sewing, i’m just beginning to understand the pattern making process. Thanks for your intelligent posts.
Part of why I don’t make clothing is that I don’t want to be bothered with grading… but maybe I’m bass-ackwards in that I don’t give two hoots about fashion, but I do find the technical parts of patterns and construction details completely fascinating. Heck, I could even see buying a grading book for that reason if I knew it was going to be good.
So even though I don’t make clothing, count me into the drawing. :) I’ll probably buy the book when I get home anyway.
I saw Connie at the Creativ Festival in Toronto. I am very excited to hear about Connie’s upcoming book on grading. I am sure it will be as amazing as her book on pattern making. I saw a copy of it at the expo and boy was it detailed! I’d love to win a copy of Patern Making made easy.
I would love to be entered into the drawing for Patternmarking Made Easy! Thanks!
I’d love to be entered into the drawing for Connie Crawford’s new book Patternmaking Made Easy. Thank you!