Fashion & Costume Design in Quarter Scale - by Don McCunn

About the Book

"The book Fashion & Costume Design in Quarter Scale provides the patterns and instructions for making a variety of quarter scale dress forms and master patterns that can be used to learn pattern design as well as prototype design ideas. It includes pattern making techniques for creating original designs. The patterns and instructions in this book are for anyone interested in exploring this art whether it is a person sewing for themselves, a design student, or an experienced designer wanting to quickly prototype design ideas. The instructions can be used to create custom-fit bespoke fashions, costumes, and ready-to-wear. It can be used as a standalone book or in conjunction with the information in How to Make Sewing Patterns (1977) and How to Make Custom-Fit Bras & Lingerie (2017)"--

Book Synopsis

In Fashion & Costume Design in Quarter Scale, Don McCunn illustrates the vital differences between custom-fit bespoke patterns and ready-to-wear. He provides instructions and patterns for making quarter-scale dress forms (Mini Mes) and shows how designs can be protoyped in quarter scale with fabric. Introducing an original approach for creating fitted patterns for any body by tracing quarter-scale photos, he describes techniques for changing the Mini-Me patterns into limitless designs. He also introduces the concept of using CAD to create quarter-scale prototypes.

Review Quotes

"McCunn's newest book focuses on miniaturized clothing design, a method of prototyping a garment before producing a full-size version. The author's 50 years of experience and impressive expertise and knowledge of making patterns and custom fits shine in this resource, which has a particular focus on altering patterns for a perfect fit on a variety of bodies. McCunn emphasizes the advantages of making quarter-scale patterns as prototypes, particularly that they save on fabric and take up less of a workspace than a full-size model might. For fitting miniature garments, one needs a miniature but correctly scaled mannequin or dress form, which McCunn shows how to make as well, with clear instructions, measurements, and numerous photographs. The book includes standard patterns for 18 different body sizes, as well as links to downloadable patterns in multiple formats. The book's content is extensive, although much of it can also be found on his website.

"VERDICT This well-structured book about pattern making and fitting introduces a fresh approach to quarter-scale designing. An appealing choice for advanced sewists."

Melanie Kindrachuk,

Library Journal E-Edition, Jul 12, 2024

"I loved this book. Fashion Design in Quarter Scale is more than a pattern drafting book, although it does that quite well. This book contains a lot of information not found in other books such as the best alteration for a giant belly, sway back and dart manipulation. The author has written from a half century of experience, presenting the information in an easy to follow accessible manner. One special surprise was step by step photos for making your own shoe pattern."

Sandra Betzina

Host of Sew Perfect on HGTV

Author of Power Sewing books: Fabric Savvy and Fast Fit

Designer of Vogue's Today's Fit Patterns & Sewing Columnist

"A must have for anyone who sews, Don McCunn has developed a unique process for designing and fitting custom designs for any figure using the quarter scale Mini-Me. The book includes easy-to-read directions for making a Mini-Me that duplicates a specific individual figure, how to fit the Mini-Me and use it to develop a full-scale Master Pattern, and create unique designs that fit."

Claire Shaeffer

Author of more than 20 books and videos

Professional Sewing and Design Lifetime Achievement Award (2003)

American Sewing Guild Sewing Hall of Fame (2012)

"I was excited to learn about quarter-scale dress forms called Mini Mes and was eager to try making one. Since I'd been using a print-and-cut machine for art projects, I decided to use it to cut the pattern out of poster board. The instructions in Fashion & Costume Design in Quarter Scale were so clear and there were lots of photos to guide me. So easy I was finished in no time!"

Juanita Lanaux

Director Tech Support

Pikes Peak Library District

"I learned to sew at a young age, making mostly garments for myself and for friends. I decided to learn flat pattern drafting this year because I was tired of the many alterations I need to make to commercial and indie patterns in order to make them fit. I have watched every pattern drafting class on Craftsy, and purchased every book on pattern drafting and fitting there is. Your book, Don, was the only one that delivered the goods. There are books that teach garment fitting, and books mostly geared for the industry that teach drafting, but only yours contains enough information on both subjects to result in garments that fit."

Brenda Dayne

Host of "Cast On: a podcast for knitters"