Course Information

Description: Dreaming of translating your costume sketches into clothing, learn how to draft and drape your way through a range of bodice, sleeve and collar styles creating a perfect fit. Whether inspired to make removable ensembles or directly bonding your costume creations, these skills can be used for Art-dolls, Antique, & Modern Fashion Dolls. Watch as Catherine shares 40 years of pattern making tips and quick techniques that take the mystery and mathematics out of making costume patterns for your dolls.

Media Category: Mixed Media
Course Type: Self-directed (refer to the FAQ page for full descriptions of each course type)
Course Format:  Full project
Course Begins: March 1st, 2024 - Ongoing
Course Duration: No time limit

What will Students learn? Knowledge of costume pattern making techniques, allowing them to create a custom pattern shell for their doll. Taking this unique basic pattern and manipulating it to create an infinite number of styles. To speed the process along Quarter size fashion doll blocks are available as a downloadable PDF File and a resources Pinterest Board Link to study and inspire many creative doll costume designs.
Instructor/Students interaction: Answer questions via emails.
Class Size: No Limit
Skill Level: All levels welcome
Required skill(s): No special skills required

Supplies and tools: 
Tool List: 

  • Clear Ruler 30 cm
  •  clear Ruler 15 cm 
  • clear dressmakers curved ruler optional, 
  • Scissors sharp small, 
  • Craft Knife /Scalpel, Awl tool, 
  • Graphite pencils HB /B, 
  • Pencil sharpener, Eraser, 
  • Fine art liner/ Sharpie, 
  • Tape measure, dressmakers pins fine

Supplies: 

  • A4 Copy paper or US Letter. A3 copy paper optional, 
  • Light card 180gsm or 220gsm, 
  • Masking tape/painters tape cream, 
  • Tissue paper white or tracing paper, 
  • Optional lawn to test pattern fit or fine Vilene non woven.

Downloads: PDF Pattern

Course Curriculum

    1. Introduction

      FREE PREVIEW

    1. Lets Chat about Tools

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Tools List

    3. Materials List

    1. Your Doll

      FREE PREVIEW

    1. Fitting the Shell

    2. Shell Guidelines

    3. Detaching the Shell

    1. Round and V Neckline

    2. Square Neckline

    3. Sweet Heart Neck Line

    4. Front Opening

    1. Basic Sleeve

    2. Gathered Sleeve

    3. Short Puffed Sleeve

    4. Flutter Sleeve

    5. Leg Of Mutton/ Gigot

About this course

  • $50.00
  • 20 lessons
  • 1 hour of video content

Instructor

Catherine Mather

Porcelain - Mixed Media

Australian based figurative artist Catherine Mather started sewing at the age 5, and never looked back. Graduating from N.S.W Fashion Collage before spending a decade designing and fabricating masquerade costumes. Eventually fell into doll making in the late 1980’s, working with traditional fired porcelain and perfecting her techniques to develop ¼ life dolls. A passion for historical fashion and petite garment-making has evolved over the years with a vast knowledge of era appropriate costuming and the methods required to achieve that perfect ensemble. Known for teaching hands-on workshops, sharing clever ideas for makers of all levels and now on your computer or mobile device with NIADA.

VISIT: Catherine Mather Portfolio

Courses by Catherine Mather