Fashion design is continually evolving.It can be very competitive and takes a lot of work.If you want to become a successful fashion designer, you have a long road ahead of you, but there are some simple steps you can take to start designing clothes.
Step 1: Learn how to draw.
A lot of designers use a funky personal style when they design.You need to communicate your vision visually.You can take a drawing class, study some books, or just practice.Just doing it a lot is the most important part of learning a new skill.30 minutes a day is all it takes to practice drawing.Mark Kistler wrote You Can Draw in 30 days.
Step 2: Learn how to make a sewing machine.
You need to know about sewing even if you don't want to sew your designs.Understanding the possibilities presented by your medium is an important part of being able to come up with innovative, exciting ideas.Inexpensive sewing classes can be found at many craft stores.If you want to sew your own garments, you need to study pattern making.You need to know how a garment is assembled.Being able to sew a garment is dependent on knowing how to break a design down into shapes.You can buy simple patterns at a craft store.
Step 3: Design is something to learn about.
You need to know about design theory if you want to make innovative designs.Picture This: How Pictures Work is a great book to start with.It will teach you how to think like a designer.Don't limit yourself to only studying fashion design.All disciplines apply the principles of design theory.It is possible to learn a lot about fashion design from studying something like glyphics.
Step 4: Find out about fashion.
If you want to design clothes, you should know all you can about fashion.You can think of yourself as a very stylish person if you know how to dress yourself well.By the time your design is complete, it might already be out of style.Fashion designers are always thinking about what the next big thing will be.If one is happening near where you live, watch videos or look at pictures from high-profile fashion shows online.Professional designers design their seasonal collections months in advance so these shows can give you an idea of what kinds of trends will trickle down into commercial fashion in the future.Films and history are great sources of inspiration.The answer to how and why we wore things is in history.
Step 5: Information about technology and resources can be learned.
Designers now have more tools than ever before.On top of knowing your way around a sketchbook and sewing machine, you will need to know how to use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.Linda.com and Tuts+ are good online resources.If you want to do your sketching on a computer instead of in a sketchbook, you will need to purchase a good pen tablet, such as a Wacom.
Step 6: Take your inspiration and use it.
What do you like to do?What makes you want to do something?It could be a piece of visual art, a garment you saw on the street, or a retro trend you want to bring back, but can't seem to find in stores.There isn't a right way to get inspired.It's important to find something that interests you.Consider your customer.What kind of person would you buy your designs from?What kind of garment does that person need?When designing clothes for yourself, make sure they are practical.New looks can be generated using existing styles and trends.What would it be like to mix military elements with softer ones?What would 1990s and 1930s look like?What can you do with the elements of men's clothing?You can learn about art, photography, history, and fashion icons if you get out of your comfort zone.All of these can inspire you.
Step 7: Consider something made from fabric.
Are you looking for a stretchy material or something with less give?Is your design flowy or rigid?Is the fabric textural or smooth?You already have this covered if your original inspiration was an amazing fabric.Think about what kind of material you want.There are also adornments such as buttons, lace, beads or embroidery floss.These can affect your fabric choice.
Step 8: Look at color and pattern.
The impact of your design depends on your use of color and pattern.Think about the intended purpose of the garment and how you imagine someone wearing it.Consider what the customer wants to wear.You should go with what you think looks good.There are no hard and fast rules here.You should be true to yourself, because you are the designer.There is a color wheel.The ones across the color wheel make each other stand out.This can add a dramatic affect to your design, but if not handled well it can be off-putting.If you want to experiment with different color combinations before buying fabric, get some paint swatch from a paint store.You can get ideas for new pieces by using colors and shapes.
Step 9: You can draw the outline of a person.
It is important to think about how your garment will look on the body when designing clothes.Designers draw their designs on a human form.It can be difficult to draw a figure from scratch every time you make a new design, so many designers use a croquis.Each time you sketch out a new garment, you can use this template.You need to draw the outline of a person in pencil.It doesn't need to be difficult.If you are not intimidated, give it a try.The idea is not to be correct, and most designers' croquis drawings are rendered in some kind of personal style.Your design will look better on a figure you drew yourself.Think of your drawing as a mannequin, don't worry about small details.If you don't feel like drawing a human figure from scratch, use someone else's work.One of the hundreds of free croquis templates you can find online can be used to trace an image from a book or magazine.The 9 heads method is used by many designers to make sure their drawings are evenly proportioned.The idea is to use a head as a unit of measure, and to draw a body that measures nine heads from the feet to the top of the neck.Divide a straight vertical line into 10 equal parts.As you draw, this will be your guide.Section 1 starts just under the head and measures the body from the top of the neck to the midsection.
Step 10: There is a figure in a pen.
You need to be able to trace this drawing onto another piece of paper.You have to use a dark pen to retrace the lines of your figure drawing.
Step 11: The figure can be traced onto another sheet of paper.
You will need to pick up a pencil again after putting the pen down.Place another piece of white paper on top of the croquis you drew.If you use a dark pen and your paper is not too thick, you should be able to see it.This is a good time to use a lightbox.Put the croquis on the lightbox, put a blank sheet of paper on top of it, and then trace away.Try taping two sheets of paper to a window on a bright day if you don't have a lightbox.If you use a lightbox, the effect is the same as if you trace at an odd angle.
Step 12: You should begin sketching your design.
You can still lightly draw the garment you have been imagining by using your pencil.The basic shape of the garment is the first thing you should start with.Retracing the whole drawing in pen is what you should do when you are satisfied.
Step 13: Do you want to change your design.
You can use whatever drawing materials you want.Markers and colored pencils lend themselves to layers.Shade larger areas with long, consistent strokes that move in the same direction as the fabric, and start with the lightest colors you plan on using.As you go, incorporate darker colors, patterns, and shadow.
Step 14: Do it as you please.
You should be able to start a new design much faster now that you have a croquis.Get going by tracing the figure.
Step 15: To make a dummy.
You will need a dressmaking dummy to be able to see the garment as you work on it, and make sure it fits a human form.You can make a makeshift one if you don't have one.You can cover a shirt that you don't want with duct tape.The duct tape form will be in the shape of your body.If you want to remove it, cut it down the side, from your hip to your armpit, and then up along the sleeve.To make the form whole again, tape it back over the cut.Put it in a newspaper and close it up with more duct tape.You can either keep the arms or cut them off.
Step 16: You can draw your pattern on butcher paper
If you make a mistake, use a pencil to label each section.The old carpenters said to measure twice and cut once.It's possible to waste a lot of time with a single mistake.Cut out the shapes when you are done.You don't have to be an expert if you know a thing or two about pattern making.You need to be able to envision how your garment will be put together and have the skills to do it.
Step 17: The pattern should be recreated on a piece of cloth.
Take the butcher paper pieces of your pattern and trace them.Pin them into the shape of your garment.
Step 18: Attach your mock-up to a piece of paper.
Introduce your garment to the machine.If you are designing for yourself, remove the pins and put the garment on a mannequin.
Step 19: The garment should be examined.
Look at how it fits.Think about the shape.What is working?What is not?You can make sense of the changes you want to make by taking notes, sketching, drawing, or cutting the muslin.
Step 20: Pick out your next step.
How close is the mock-up to what you had in mind?Are you ready to use this design?Do you have to make another before you try it?Depending on how your mock-up looks, you can either go back to the drawing board or sew the actual garment.
Step 21: It is time to move on to the real thing.
It is time to bring your design to life.Proceed the same way you did with the mock-up.You are going to make mistakes the first few times around.Double-check your measurements, buy more fabric than you think you need, and give yourself lots of extra time.Things won't always go according to plan.As you go, be prepared to tinker with your design.The most exciting innovations come from mistakes.
Step 22: A portfolio can be built.
Take pictures of your work as you go.As your career progresses, you will sell yourself as a designer.You want to demonstrate that you have a unique voice and point of view, while also showcasing yourVersatility.There should be a variety of pieces in your portfolio, but they should all scream you.Take a poorly lit picture with your phone if you lay the dress on your bed.Put your garments on live models, make sure they are well lit, use a decent camera and pay attention to details like hair, makeup, and accessories, if you don't have the resources to do this inside.The impact of your work is influenced by the way you present it.
Step 23: Do some research
Is there an independent clothing store in your area that sells clothes similar to yours?Is there a website that sells clothes that remind you of your own?If you want your designs to evolve into what you would like them to be, try to find designers who do work that reminds you.Look at their tactics.
Step 24: Online resources can be utilized.
If they or their users are sufficiently impressed, some websites will fabricate your designs.If you think you have a killer design that you don't need to sew on your own, look into websites like Gamz and Fabricly.If you are more of a graphic designer, but think your work would look great on clothing, look into sites like RedBubble, that can print your artwork on a variety of different products.
Step 25: There is a website.
The world knows about your genius if you want to sell your clothes.You can use a platform like Squarespace to create a site to display your portfolio, and almost anyone can design a beautiful website these days.It should be simple and elegant.The focus should be on your clothing design, not your web design.
Step 26: You have to brand yourself.
There is a social media presence.Get on social media.You need to keep an eye on your work.Don't worry about selling things later.You need to create a buzz.