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Take your garment pattern-cutting skills to the next level through practical studio sessions focused on more advanced garment construction and pattern development.

Building on the skills introduced in Garment Pattern Cutting: Fundamental Techniques, this course goes beyond the basics to explore intermediate pattern-cutting methods. Through a combination of demonstrations and hands-on studio sessions, you’ll learn to interpret professional garment specifications, create more complex pattern features and deepen your understanding of design, fit and 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 eight participants, giving you plenty of opportunities for individual feedback and guidance.

A fashion student or designer measuring and cutting paper garment patterns on a studio workbench.

What Does the Course Cover?

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Interpreting and applying professional garment specifications in pattern drafting.
Pattern cutting a complete unlined garment (such as a jacket) using a standard size 12 block.
Creating intermediate garment features, including collars, hoods, sleeves, ruffles, pleats, flounces and fastenings.
Understanding the role of technical drawings, visual language, proportions and annotations in pattern development.
Considerations for inside finishes, seam construction and how patterns affect garment manufacturing.
Translating 2D technical drawings into accurate, functional pattern pieces.
Understanding the communication between designers, pattern cutters and manufacturers throughout the garment development process.
Improving precision, accuracy and efficiency in pattern construction.

What Skills Will You Gain?

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Confidence in drafting, adapting, and refining intermediate garment patterns.
The ability to work with industry-standard garment blocks, tools and technical specifications.
Practical experience interpreting technical design drawings and translating them into production-ready patterns.
Enhanced problem-solving skills and attention to detail when developing patterns.
A stronger understanding of how design decisions influence garment construction, fit and manufacture.
Greater confidence working independently through the design-to-pattern development process.
Insight into professional pattern cutting workflows and garment development practices.

Who Is This Course For?

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We recommend having a basic understanding of garment pattern cutting before taking this course, either through prior experience or by completing our Garment Pattern Cutting: Fundamental Techniques course. If you’re unsure whether this course is right for you, our team will be happy to advise you before you book.

Learners who have completed an introductory pattern cutting course and are ready to progress their skills.
Home sewers and makers with experience using commercial patterns who want to learn to draft and adapt their own.
Professionals working in fashion, costume, retail or garment production who want to strengthen their technical pattern cutting skills.
Fashion, buying, marketing and business professionals or students looking to develop a greater understanding of garment construction and product development.

A great course for anyone wishing to explore pattern drafting as a follow-on from the Fundamentals of Pattern Cutting course.

Paula

Sewing Tutor

All materials and equipment required for the course are provided and included in the course fee. Including a notebook & content.

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

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.

Course Contributors

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.