It is the building block of your product line. A block pattern applies to any kind of sewn product (remember, it is not a fitting shell). If you’re making bags and have one style that consistently outperforms the others, that one should be your block.

A Block, also called a Sloper is the Master or Foundation Pattern that is used to make other patterns and other blocks. A full set of basic Blocks usually consists of: Bodice Front & Back, Sleeve and Skirt Front & Back.

The term Block is more commonly used in Australia and the UK, while the term Sloper is used in the United States. The Basic Block or Sloper Set consists of seven pieces: Bodice Front, Bodice Back, Sleeve, Skirt Front, Skirt Back, Pants Front and Pants Back. See the images below an example of each of these.

A basic block pattern is a pattern from which all other styles are based. Sometimes they are derived from the original drafts created from body measurements with instructions from a pattern making manual. Sometimes not. A basic block pattern can also be the patterns from an approved style as described above.

A Block is a Master Pattern, usually made of a thin cardboard, which you use (by tracing around or marking through with a pinwheel) to make the pattern on thin paper, which is then cut out and pinned to fabric. A pattern is a finished design ready for cutting out and sewing.

How to Draft the Blouse Body. Start by laying the front bodice over the front skirt block pattern. Line them up at the waist (they may not match at the side because of the difference in dart depth, but don’t worry about that). Trace around the front, neck, and shoulder, following the block pattern.

To draft the armscye, first measure 5 cm upwards from the underarm line (=point A) And then mark point B in the middle of the shoulder tip and point A. These are your guide marks for the armscye and at the same time will be useful tacks later for a sleeve.

How to Cut Fabric

1. Step 1 – Prepare Your Fabric. Pre washing.
2. Step 2 – Establish the Grainline. Now we are ready to fold the fabric ready for cutting.
3. Step 3 – Check your Sizing. Check the sizing you will be using and cut out the paper pattern pieces for your size.
4. Step 4 – Pin your Patterns.
5. Step 5 – CUTTING FABRIC.

In quilting, you want to cut off the selvedges because they are such a tight weave (compared to the rest of the fabric) that they would be difficult to quilt through, especially if you are quilting by hand. In garment sewing, the selvedges can shrink differently than the rest of the fabric.

TIP #3 – Cutting Thick Fabric Rotary cutters are great for straight cuts on thick fabric but once again make sure you have a new sharp blade and a protective cutting mat for your table. Cutting rulers should be of the non-slip type as you will need to press harder to cut thick fabric so are more likely to slip.

The thicker the fabric, higher the tension must be to lift the lower thread up to the middle of the layers of fabric. You will usually be alright with a 4 or 5 on medium to medium-heavy fabrics like linen and twill weaves such as drill and denim.