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Develop the essential skills to draft and interpret garment patterns through a hands-on introduction that combines theory, demonstrations and practical studio sessions.

Pattern cutting is a fundamental skill in fashion design, transforming creative concepts into garments that fit and function. Whether you’re starting a career in fashion, developing existing skills or pursuing a personal interest, understanding pattern cutting provides the foundation for successful garment construction.

This course forms part of the Garment Pattern Cutting Programme and can be taken as a standalone course or as part of the full programme. You’ll learn in a small group of up to six participants, giving you plenty of opportunity for individual feedback and guidance.

What Does the Course Cover?

Open

Core techniques in garment pattern cutting, including drafting patterns for various garments and measuring and fitting to body shapes.
Techniques for adjusting and customising patterns and developing problem-solving skills related to pattern adjustments.
Understanding seam allowances, construction requirements and how these influence garment assembly and finish quality.
How to translate design ideas into pattern form.
Hands-on experience with industry-standard pattern-cutting techniques, supporting both creative development and technical production skills.

What Skills Will You Gain?

Open

A clear understanding of how garment patterns are constructed and translated into finished garments.
Increased confidence in making informed decisions about fabric choice and how it affects garment structure and fit or style.
Practical problem-solving skills for identifying and correcting common fitting and pattern issues.
Hands-on experience using industry-standard pattern cutting techniques applicable to both personal projects and professional sampling.

Who Is This Course For?

Open

No prior knowledge is required. This course is suitable for complete beginners as well as those looking to refresh or develop their garment pattern cutting skills.

Beginners with an interest in fashion design or garment construction who want a practical introduction to pattern cutting techniques.
Hobbyists and makers looking to improve fit, accuracy and finish in their own sewing or dressmaking projects.
Individuals seeking to build or strengthen foundational pattern cutting skills for creative development or professional practice.

This course was exceptional. As a complete layperson, I'd been worried that I might be out of my depth, but I thought the course was brilliantly paced and explained. The combination of seeing demos then having the chance to get hands-on worked well for me. Everyone involved in delivering the course was really friendly, knowledgeable and superb at checking understanding, encouraging and clearly answering questions. I now have a much better understanding of what it takes to accurately create bespoke patterns and some of the key fundamentals.

Katrina Ashmore

Retired

This pattern-cutting course has been fantastic! Both Debbie and Faye are super knowledgeable and walked us through how to create and adapt patterns, which will help me in my day-to-day conversations with suppliers when working to correct fit issues. The course was very hands-on, which kept us all engaged for the duration, but with plenty of time to ask questions and get a comprehensive answer. I had a great couple of days and look forward to implementing this knowledge in my day-to-day work.

Charlotte

Junior Product Developer

Varley

All materials and equipment required for the course are provided and included in the course fee.

Participants will also receive complimentary refreshments, including snacks, hot drinks and light breakfast pastries, along with a food voucher redeemable at the University Union refectory.

The University of Leeds is a globally recognised institution for textiles and fashion, offering access to outstanding studio facilities in the heart of campus.

Our Fashion Studio is equipped with industry-standard machinery and resources to support garment design, construction and pattern cutting. On-campus courses provide a practical, collaborative learning experience where you will learn directly from experts, develop hands-on skills in a studio environment and gain insights you can apply immediately to your own practice or professional development.

Find Out More About Our Facilities

Deborah Fowler

Fashion Design Technician

Deborah Fowler has over 40 years of experience in the fashion industry, specialising in garment manufacturing, pattern cutting, couture, bridal wear and men’s tailoring. Her expertise spans the full garment development process, from pattern creation and construction through to high-quality garment production, combining technical precision with extensive commercial experience.

At the University of Leeds, Deborah supports practical teaching in fashion design and garment construction, sharing industry-standard techniques and best practice in pattern cutting. Through hands-on guidance and technical expertise, she helps participants develop the confidence and skills needed to create accurate patterns and translate design concepts into well-constructed garments.

Faye Hindle

Fashion Design Innovation Technician

Faye Hindle has over 15 years of experience in the fashion industry, with expertise spanning garment construction, pattern cutting, embroidery and the use of industrial machinery and specialist equipment. Her background includes work with leading designers such as Rick Owens and Gareth Pugh, as well as developing her own children’s wear brand and supporting fashion entrepreneurs in building and growing online businesses.

Faye brings this industry knowledge into practice-led teaching, supporting the development of advanced technical skills in garment construction and production. Her focus on applied, hands-on learning helps participants gain commercially relevant skills and confidence in using professional equipment and techniques.

Course Contributor

Elaine Evans

Senior Teaching Fellow in Fashion Design

Elaine Evans has expertise in garment technology, construction and pattern cutting, drawing on extensive experience as a garment technologist. Her work focuses on applied, practice-led approaches to fashion design, combining technical knowledge of garment production with an understanding of how clothing is developed and refined in real-world contexts.

Her experience spans industry practice, curation and research, including managing the Yorkshire Fashion Archive, where historical garments inform contemporary design and construction approaches. Her work focuses on garment production systems, pattern cutting methodologies and textile innovation, with emphasis on womenswear development and the relationship between historical processes and contemporary fashion practice.