Beyond Bodice Basics: Bodice Pattern Design Book + Online Course

Advanced Bodice Pattern Drafting Book + Online Sewing Course

Beyond Bodice Basics is a sewing pattern design book and online course for makers ready to advance their bodice pattern drafting skills. Using your fitted Sure Fit Designs sloper as a foundation, this garment design guide walks you through seven custom-fit projects — from empire bodices and cowl necklines to boleros and cardigans.

This comprehensive design book and accompanying online streaming course guide you through the development of empire designs, crossover bodices, princess-line seams, cowl necklines, cardigans, boleros, and coordinated skirt variations. Each project begins with your fitted sloper and demonstrates how pattern pieces can be reshaped, combined, and adapted while preserving the custom fit established through the Sure Fit Designs system.

Rather than relying solely on commercial patterns, you will learn how to use one fitted foundation as the starting point for multiple garments and design variations.

Key Benefits

• Create multiple garment designs from one fitted bodice sloper
• Strengthen your understanding of pattern design and manipulation
• Learn how bodices, skirts, seams, necklines, and design features work together
• Follow detailed written instructions supported by clear illustrations
• Reinforce each technique through the accompanying online streaming course
• Build confidence adapting and combining design elements
• Develop greater freedom to create garments for yourself or others

What You'll Learn

• How to create and use an empire design line
• How to develop crossover bodices and bias skirts
• How to combine empire styling with princess-line seams
• How to draft two cowl-neck blouse variations
• How to create a cardigan with a diagonal hem
• How to develop two bolero variations
• How to combine and adapt design features to create additional styles

Included Design Projects

• Empire with Crossover Bodice and Bias Skirt
• Empire Design with Princess-Line Seams
• Cowl-Neck Blouse—Variation 1
• Cowl-Neck Blouse—Variation 2
• Comfy Cardigan with Diagonal Hem
• The Bolero—Variation 1
• The Bolero—Variation 2

Who This Is For

Beyond Bodice Basics is designed for makers who are ready to progress beyond introductory sloper drafting and explore more advanced garment-design possibilities.

It is especially useful for:

• Home sewists creating custom-fit garments
• Sewing instructors teaching pattern design
• Custom clothing makers designing for clients
• Fashion and pattern-design students
• Experienced makers seeking greater creative freedom
• Anyone ready to develop more styles from a fitted bodice foundation

Requirements

Before You Begin
This book requires a completed bodice sloper drafted with the Sure Fit Designs Dress Kit.

Basic familiarity with sewing, pattern alteration, and garment construction is recommended.

What's Included

• The comprehensive Beyond Bodice Basics design book
• Detailed, illustrated pattern-development instructions
• Unlimited access to the streaming course
• Seven coordinated garment designs and variations

What You'll Be Able to Do

By completing Beyond Bodice Basics, you will be able to use your fitted bodice sloper as the starting point for a wider range of custom-fit garments. You will gain greater confidence manipulating pattern shapes, developing style lines, combining design features, and creating garments that reflect your own design vision.