It has always been the aim for the Italian Dressmaking School course to remain affordable and accessible. We have always done small increases that keep our customers pockets in mind. With rising costs and added value in our course we have little choice but to restructure our pricing. This means that customers will be able to get our course in many more haberdashery stores across the country while we support our retail partners and still provide you the customer with great value.We are offering the full set at the current pricing until the end of December and then the full set will be increased to R1350.00. This will include a video course for the first 20 customers!

In this design course, you'll learn a pattern-drafting technique built around one key measurement: your bust circumference.

Using the Italian method, your Patternmaker becomes a powerful tool because that single measurement unlocks every line and curve on the ruler.

Your instruction manual serves as a clear, reliable guide, walking you step-by-step through the process of creating a basic pattern block tailored precisely to your body.

From there, you'll explore essential pattern manipulations and adjustments with confidence.

Our goal is simple: to give you the skills and understanding you need to draft patterns independently. And with the right tools and guidance, you absolutely can.

 

Think of the Patternmaker as your trusted design partner. It's a plastic ruler, hinged down the centre. It’s a reliable tool that puts you in control, helping you draft a basic block that’s perfectly tailored to your unique measurements, to create garments that fit size you.

With it in hand, you’ll be equipped to create patterns with accuracy and confidence.

This manual is your ticket to patternmaking versatility. Not only will it walk you through creating the fundamental basic block, but it'll also hold your hand as you transform that block into an array of patterns and designs of all levels of intricacy.

By following this method, you’ll gain access to a powerful foundation of design skills. You’ll begin by drafting a custom-fit basic block for the front, back, and sleeve, each one based on your own measurements using the Patternmaker.

As you progress, each lesson builds on the last, guiding you through the creation of countless variations and styles that all stem from your own block. This isn’t just about copying set patterns; it’s about understanding the core principles of design so you can create any garment your imagination inspires.

With this approach, you’ll develop the confidence and ability to apply true design thinking to any project, well beyond the examples in the book. You’ll also pick up practical tips for overcoming common drafting and sewing challenges with ease. And as a bonus, many lessons include additional sewing techniques to further strengthen your skill set.

You’ll come away not just following patterns—but mastering the craft.

With this method, you'll gain the power to apply design principles to any garment your imagination desires, far beyond what's laid out in the book. Plus, you'll uncover invaluable hints and tips to tackle common design challenges and sewing hurdles like a pro.

But wait, there's more! Many lessons also offer bonus sewing techniques, adding even more value to your set.

The patternmaker can, indeed, be bought on its own. From January 2026 the Manual will no longer be available on its own.

Think of the book as your go-to patternmaking guide, clear, dependable, and packed with insight. You’ll learn to master the Patternmaker using straightforward instructions and lessons that build on one another.

The true strength of this book lies in its in-depth guidance on transforming your basic block into a wide range of styles. It functions like a personal mentor, breaking each process into manageable steps with varying levels of complexity. Whether you’re just starting out or already experienced, you’ll find lessons that challenge and support you.

So while the Patternmaker itself is simple to learn, it’s the book’s thoughtful, detailed approach to applying your block that sets you up for genuine patternmaking mastery. Get ready to explore the craft with confidence, guided every step of the way by this essential resource.

You can grade upwards. The thing to do is make the basic on the biggest Patternmaker scale and then take the basic to the desired width across the bust line.  The number 4 scale is the only one that needs to be adjusted upwards. All the others stay the same for larger sizes.