Butte College

Course Outline

2026-2027 Catalog

FASH 40 - Flat Pattern/Draping Design

Catalog Description

Transfer Status
CSU
Unit(s)
3.00
  • Lecture: 34.00 Contact hours/68.00 Out of class hours/102.00 Total hours/2.00 Unit(s)
  • Lab: 51.00 Contact hours/0.00 Out of class hours/51.00 Total hours/1.00 Unit(s)
  • Total: 85.00 Contact hours/68.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: This is a beginning course in flat pattern and draping design. The focus is on design, pattern drafting and draping for the theater, film and fashion industries.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Apply pattern and design techniques to any contemporary fashion or time period garment.
  2. Reproduce a design or pattern from photographs or design renderings.
  3. Evaluate various fitting problems and correct them by fitting or altering.
  4. Demonstrate a proficiency in and understanding of the procedures and principles used in both pattern drafting and design for professional garments and personal application.

Course Content

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

Lecture topics and suggested hours
TopicsLec Hrs
Introduction/Orientation1.00

Flat Patterning and Draping

4.00
Measurement Formulas for Slopers4.00
Develop Front, Back, Skirt and Sleeve Slopers8.00
Drafting Basic Slopers3.00

Style Line for Pants, Skirts and Sleeves

2.00
Sloper Manipulation2.00
Necklines, Yokes and Collars1.00
Facings, Linings, Closures and Seam Lines1.00
Skirts Style Lines2.00
Princess Lines1.00
Design Projects1.00
Mock Ups and Fittings2.00
Alteration of Mock Up2.00
Total Hours:34.00

Lab

Lab topics and suggested hours
TopicsLab Hrs
Introduction to Patterns and Patternmaking4.00
Measurement Formulas for Slopers5.00
Develop Front, Back, Skirt and Sleeve Slopers9.00
Drafting Basic Slopers6.00
Style Line for Pants, Skirts, and Sleeves3.00
Sloper Manipulation3.00
Necklines, Yokes and Collars2.00
Facings, Linings, Closures and Seam Lines3.00
Skirts Style Lines2.00
Princess Lines2.00
Design Projects4.00
Mock Ups and Fittings4.00
Alteration of Mock Up4.00
Total Hours:51.00

Methods of Instruction

  1. Demonstrations
  2. Discussion
  3. Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
  4. Lecture
  5. Problem-Solving Sessions
  6. Reading Assignments

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Projects
  2. Homework
  3. Class participation
  4. Written Assignments
  5. Practical Evaluations

Examples of Assignments

Reading Assignments

  1. Select an advanced construction technique and read the relevant materials from the class text. Prepare to discuss and demonstrate techniques and skills needed to develop slopers with flat patterning and draping techniques.
  2. Read the handout on fashion silhouettes for consideration in your own fashion design.

Writing Assignments

  1. Write a 2 to 3 page report summarizing the process needed to develop a sloper using the flat pattern drafting method.
  2. Write a 2 to 3 page report summarizing the process needed to develop a sloper using the draping method. Explain the difference between flat pattern and draping techniques, plus the pros and cons of each technique.

Out-of-Class Assignments

  1. Develop a comprehensive technique book (approximately 60 pages long), demonstrating all the flat patterning dart manipulations.
  2. Prepare and present two original designs. Develop a pattern and a finished product for each design.

Recommended Materials of Instruction

Joseph-Armstrong, H. (2013). Patternmaking for Fashion Design. Pearson Education India, 5th.

Knowles, L. (2005). Practical Guide to Patternmaking for Fashion Designers: Juniors, Misses and Women. Fairchild Books, 1st.

Matthews-Fairbanks, J., Forsyth, D. (2018). Pattern Design: Fundamentals: Construction and Pattern Making for Fashion Design(vol. 1). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 1st.

Other Learning Materials

Pattern Drafting tools

Basic sewing kit

Fabric and notions for completing projects

Minimum Qualifications

Family & Cons Study/Home Ec

Fashion & Related Technologies