How to manipulate a basic knit dress pattern block
September 15, 2025
How to assemble a blazer : Basic Guideline
October 6, 2025
How to add seam allowance
For Pattern Makers & Designers
Adding seam allowance to your slopers might sound like a technical step, but it’s actually one of the easiest parts of patternmaking. Once your sloper is drafted, all you need to do is trace around it with the extra width you’ll use for sewing — a simple adjustment that transforms your base block into a ready-to-sew pattern. With just a ruler or a seam allowance tool, you’ll be surprised at how quick and straightforward it is!
Usually, seam allowances are:
- Sewing two fabrics, 1cm or 0.39 inch
- French stitch, 1.5 cm or 0.59 inch
- Hems on the body or sleeves, 1-5 cm or 0.39 - 1.97 inches
- Zippers (depends on the zipper), 1- 2 cm or 0.39 - 0.79 inches
- Pockets or decorative stitches (depends on the style of the garment)
When crafting a made-to-order garment, we use a wider seam allowance so that we can use to readjust the garment later on, if needed.
You may want to alter the above based on:
- Type of fabric
- Type of stitch
- Type of sewing machine
