A definitive guide to patternmaking, this accessible book explains the techniques in clear, simple steps, providing the essential know-how for anyone making their first foray into clothes making and fashion design. Using four basic garments (skirts, dresses, jackets and coats), this volume explores contemporary pattern making in detail and explains how to draw, cut and mount patterns. Patternmaking in Practice helps the reader to understand the more complex processes and teaches how to customize and adapt basic models and recreate patterns from pictures. Beginning with an historical introduction to the development of patternmaking, this book describes the traditional methods used and today's advanced body-shaping techniques. A useful visual guide, showing how to take body measurements, the tools to use, how to work with seams and cut fabric, is also included.