PATTERN DRAFTING BOOKS: Here are a couple of books that will give you directions for drafting a block to fit you: Pattern Making For Fashion Design by Helen Joseph Armstrong is a classic textbook and gives excellent information on dart manipulation and other design techniques, and The European Cut by Elizabeth M. Allemong. Personally I would get both books because the book by Armstrong contains valuable tips for converting basic drafts into more complex patterns, but the European Cut is an excellent guide for making a basic block that fits well. I like how the European fit is closer to the body- you can always add ease later.

PATTERN DRAFTING PAPER: Shop around! The paper must be sheer enough to trace on in good lighting, but it doesn’t have to be as thin as tissue nor does it need to have a graph printed on it, etc. If the roll isn’t quite wide enough you can clear tape a bit of extra paper to the side, as needed.

PATTERN DRAFTING RULERS: The most essential ruler that you need for pattern drafting is a large L-square (90 degrees), preferably metal. You will also want a nice long metal ruler for tracing Center Back, drawing in the grainline, etc. You can get long metal rulers at most hardware stores. Don’t settle for wood- the shape tends to get corrupted over time- even plastic is better than wood for rulers. There are curved rulers available for hip curves, etc. A curved ruler is used to get a smooth line, not for measuring, so it doesn’t matter if it’s metric or not. I use the 24″ Vary Form Curve Ruler made by Fairgate, and lots of people like the French Curves ruler- but personally I find the second one to be “too” curvy and you might end up having to take in everything you make at the hips. A steady hand will go a long way if you don’t have a curved ruler and there will always be some areas to carefully draw or trace on your own, but I would HIGHLY recommend using the L-square to make even hemlines, waistlines, etc. The L-square ensures that the lines on your block are balanced and symmetrical.

PENCIL: Mechanical is preferred for accuracy. Millimetres count when you want precision.