An easy way to copy your favourite clothes/ copy patterns from existing garments

Via TrendyCrew

We all have favourite clothes that we wear all the time, despite having like, fifty other pieces in our wardrobes. And we complain that we don't have enough! Could what we really mean is that, we don't have enough of our everyday favourites?

Here's an easy way to copy the original pattern from your favourite garment. You can use the pattern to make the exact same piece and change any detail you like, such as the cloth, length, width and the like, or simply to learn how they are made.


You'll need:

• A big piece of cardboard
• Newspaper
• Tape
• Pins
• A pen

Note: You'll be tracing the right-side of your body for the pattern. This is so that when you cut the pattern on a folded piece of fabric, both the left and right sides will match exactly. 

STEP 1: Tape your newspaper together so that you have a big enough sheet to cover your garment.

Lay down your newspaper sheet on top of the cardboard, and place your garment on top of the newspaper.

STEP 2: Pin the garment to the newspaper, one shape at a time. Basically we're putting dots around the garment, which we'll later join by pen to draw the pattern shapes.

I'm doing the back right-side of my pants first.

Take it one piece at a time, going around the seams. You might need to remove one pin at a time to adjust the fabric so that the shape lies straight.

STEP 3: Once you've pinned around the edges of one pattern piece (or shape), remove the pins.

Use a pen to connect the dots and draw the pattern shape.

STEP 4: Cut out your pattern pieces.

It's probably wise to test your pattern first on some fabric you don't care for. Add seam allowances when cutting the fabric, sew the garment according to your pattern and try it on. You might need to adjust your pattern. When you're happy with it, copy the pattern out on more durable paper or cardboard. 

Your favourite garment is ready to be made over and over again, any way you like!