I really enjoy patternmaking and I think it's mostly because I like putting a puzzle together with my measurements and seeing if it really does work out.  I also like math and pretty much that's all patternmaking is.  If you went to school and thought, when am I ever going use fractions again?  Well, here they are and you really have to welcome them back with open arms because, in this situation, fractions are our friends.  If you have trouble with fractions, you can break them down to decimal form and it's a little easier to then do math on a calculator.  Here's a cheat sheet for you.  1/8=.125, 1/4=.25, 3/8=.375, 1/2=.5, 5/8=.625, 3/4 =.75, 7/8=.875  Please make note that in patternmaking, measurements are king and it's so important to be accurate.  You can't be sloppy and just round things up or down to the nearest inch.  I usually do it to the nearest 1/8" but if it's easier you can do to the closest 1/4".  If your lines aren't lining up the way they're supposed to, double check your measurements.

This tutorial is part of a series for creating a full bodice block or sloper so you can create a bodice pattern.  This pattern can be used to be paired with a skirt to create a dress or we can use the block to create different styles and even make tops from it.  Please realize this pattern is meant for woven fabrics only.  If you want to use knit fabric, check out our basic tank top or tshirt bodice tutorial.

Because this patternmaking is a little more involved and uses quite a few measurements, we decided to break up this block into separate tutorials.  This particular one covers front body measurements and drafting the front bodice only. I definitely recommend doing the front bodice first.  Following this one, you can then tackle the back bodice.