Pattern Making Tools and Their Uses for Fashion Designers- Metro Rulers

Sahil Limbad
4 min readMay 27, 2019

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To work systematically, the pattern maker must have the proper pattern making tools and supplies. For making better coordination with the workroom and to reduce errors due to confusion, the pattern maker should firstly know and understand some terminology related to pattern-making tools.

List of Pattern Making Tools and Their Function:

There are various pattern making tools which are much used in the apparel industry have pointed out in the below with their function:

  1. Straight pins,
  2. Straight pin holder,
  3. Scissors,
  4. Pencils and pens,
  5. Rulers,
  6. Curve rules,
  7. Hanger hooks or ringers,
  8. Push pins,
  9. Magic mend scotch tape,
  10. Black twill tape,
  11. Notcher,
  12. Tracing wheels,
  13. Awl,
  14. Metal weight,
  15. Measuring tape,
  16. Tailors chalk.

All the above pattern making tools have explained below with their function:

1. Straight pins:

Dress maker used it for draping and fitting of fabric.

2. Straight pin holder:

Magnetic holder or pincushion which is used for wrist and table.

3. Scissors:

There are different types of scissors such as fabric scissor, Paper scissor etc.

4. Pencils and pens:

  • Mechanical pencil and sharpener which is meant for pattern work.
  • Red and blue colour pencils are used to fix pattern changes. Green, Black, red and blue felt tip pens for pattern details.

5. Rulers:

  • L-square (24 × 14) inch metal ruler with two arms forming a 90® angle that measures, rules and squares simultaneously. Additionally used to the triangle with the measurements to square lines.

· The French Curve is the most common curved ruler used by fashion designers. It’s very handy for making common fitting or pattern adjustments.

The Hip Curve is an essential tool for making pattern, besides fitting adjustments at, you guessed it, the hip line. The tool is also best for making adjustments at the hemline, for lapels and at the elbow. Anywhere a slight curve is needed, this is a good ruler to use.

6. Curve rules:

A French curve is one of a few curves used for shaping armhole and neckline.

7. Hanger hooks or ringers:

Hanger hooks are basically used to hold the patterns together for hanging on rods.

8. Push pins:

Push pins are used for pattern control. It also checks pattern slippage when cutting several plies of paper together.

9. Magic mend scotch tape:

Magic mend is used to fix pattern work.

10. Black twill tape:

Black twill tape is used for the positioning of style lines on garments.

11. Notcher:

It is used to indicate seam allowance, center line and also to identify front and back of patterns.

12. Tracing wheels:

Tracing Wheels is used to transfer pattern shape into paper.

13. Awl:

Awl is used to indicate the ending of pocket, darts, trim and button hole placements.

14. Metal weight:

Metal weight work to hold the patterns in place for tracing and marking.

15. Measuring tape:

Measuring Tape is used to measure the size of pattern.

16. Tailors chalk.

Tailors chalk is used for making adjusted seams and style lines.

Now you have a fair list of essential items for your tool kit, why not starts your designing process? Check for these Pattern Making Tools at Amazon or Flipkart, at best price when you venture into the different stages of fashion designing.

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Sahil Limbad

Metro Rulers manufactures pattern making rulers and tools used in tailoring and fashion designing. We manufacture rulers made from the high-grade aluminium.