I don’t believe that all great things in life come effortlessly to us, but if we work hard and consistently for them, simply one day everything pays off. And it was the case with my pattern-cutting study stay in London.
I already wrote briefly on the blog about my education in fashion and this course was another great learning experience I can add to my fashion knowledge portfolio.
During several recent years, I’ve been trying to sign up for a pattern-cutting course at least twice, but my first trial was cancelled because of the lack of students and the second one was brutally interrupted by the commencing pandemic. Actually, during that time I got already all things prepared and 2 days before my scheduled departure the state borders were closed for all inbound and outbound flights. I remember that feeling of pure deception when receiving a cancellation note from the flight company…
Persistence is everything
It took two additional years I was able to finally give it another try. During those two pandemic years, when all plans shut down like a house of cards, it seemed difficult to keep up the motivation, especially when it came to anything related to travelling. Although I’m sure I was not the only one feeling this frustration, there were moments I really couldn’t see the light at the end of this pandemic tunnel. Yet I wouldn’t give up and this determination was crucial because finally, I ended up enrolling on 10 weeks learning course that concluded with an official level 2 certification in Fashion and Textiles (Pattern Cutting).
10 weeks in London sounded like a dream to me. Even today I cannot really believe I made it. London is one of my most beloved cities as I just simply love it for its unique creative spirit and a very specific vibe. It was really a kind of adventure. I swop typing to the computer in my cosy office in the historical heart of Prague to a tiny room in the family house in Hackney and instead of 8 hours of copywriting and designing strategic communications I was drawing patterns for 8 hours from Monday to Thursday in a textile manufacture called Fashion Enter. I was listening to a great bunch of wonderful professionals from the textile and fashion industry, who had so much to make me discover and teach me.
The perfect pattern-cutting portfolio
The course was designed as a pattern-cutting portfolio we were supposed to build during those 10 weeks. Besides various basic pattern blocks, I was able to learn a variety of pattern adaptations as well as to produce industrial patterns I had no experience with before. The final weeks were reserved for individual creative work, which enabled me to draw a pattern of 3 different dress designs I’ve carried in my mind for a long time.
As a student, I was accompanied by great teachers: Lan and Petra, who are great experts in the pattern-cutting field. In addition, Lan has broad international experience from many different textile manufacturers and factories. For some lessons, we were lucky enough to work with a “guest” teacher Julia – a skilled fashion expert who were designing clothes at Marks & Spencer for 30 years. Not only is the knowledge I gained alongside such skilled experts priceless, but these kinds of adventures are fantastic because you always meet so many lovely fellow students and many other wonderful people.
Moreover, it was the first real experience in my life I could see real industrial garment production. As students, we were allowed to see how the collections for notoriously known fashion brands are produced and sewn. It truly enriched the perspective from which I perceive and think about the fashion industry in general.
Becoming a sewing pattern designer 🤍
When I started to learn to sew my very early goal was not to depend on sewing patterns we can find in magazines – I always wanted to try to be an independent maker able to design her own clothes. Although the journey to reach this goal was still not accomplished, with Fashion Enter’s course in pattern-cutting I already saw my own sewing pattern existing on paper, then in my computer and finally it was transformed into a real garment I enjoy wearing.
Looking back at those 10 weeks of meticulous pattern work today, I really think this trip was meant to happen to me. I found so many precious jewels on my London creative journey – despite all those people who told me I was crazy to travel to London during the pandemic times, despite those who called me foolish to quit the job because of designing the sewing patterns and actually…despite everything. xx
* * * *
Leave a Comment