Drawing Flat Garments

Have you practiced drawing fashion figures? Did you draw them a face? Are you ready to have fun drawing clothing?

Today’s lesson is all about drawing flat garments. I believe the best way to translate accurately your designs into a fashion figure is by learning how to draw flat garments before, because that way you will get to know the garment details, silhouettes, and construction. And, that will make it easier for you to create your designs on the fashion figure.

Great, let’s dive in!

Drawing Flat Garments

What are Flats?

In the fashion industry, we commonly use the word flats to refer to the garment drawings that look as if they were put on a flat surface.

Flats can represent the front or the back of the garment, and they should include all the details of the piece: pockets, folds, cut-outs, buttons, seams, zippers, gathering… Everything should be clearly depicted because this kind of drawings is often used for production purposes.

Today we’re going to use them for learning purposes. To learn the process of drawing clothing, and the categories, details, and silhouettes.

Types of Garments and Details

In the following images you will see different kinds of details and garments according to their category such as:

• Collars and necklines
• Cuffs and sleeves
• Pockets
• Blouses and shirts
• Dresses
• Coats and outerwearPants and shorts
• Skirts

How to Draw Flat Garments

I want it to be super easy for you to draw flat garments, so I created a couple of templates that you can print from your workbook (pages 58-60). And you can see how to use them on the videos below.

The overall process of drawing flat garments is super easy. I love systems, they’ve helped me to be less messy when I use them, and I always follow this super easy step-by-step:

1. Outline the garment. Without worrying about anything else, outline your complete garment. If it’s a top, that means you have to draw the shoulders, neckline or collar, armhole, torso, and sleeves. And if it’s a bottom you have to draw the waistband, legs, and bottom.
2. Draw the details. In this step draw every single detail but seams and buttons, draw all pockets, folds, cut-outs, zippers, and gathering.
3. Add the seams and buttons. This is the last step, and if you forgot to add anything from step two you can add it here.

What to draw?

If this is your first time drawing flat garments, or if you’re new to this kind of drawing, you can:

• Use your own wardrobe. Pick your favorite outfit, lay it down on a table, and follow the process I depict on the videos according to the type of garment.
• Go to Pinterest. This site is full of gorgeous and inspiring clothing, you can search for flat outfits and replicate them.
• Your source of inspiration. If you want, you can also draw the flat version of your source of inspiration. This will give you a better understanding of its details.

Now on to the videos! – To learn how to use the flat garments templates click on the first video 🙂

Today’s assignment is

1. Read today’s lesson, watch the videos, and use your workbook.
2. Determine what garments you will draw. Choose at least 3 pieces.
3. Draw them. Remember that you can use the templates from your workbook.
4. Practice drawing different kinds of garments and details. Check out the images I shared before with the types of garments and details and refer to them when you need it.
5. And share with me your drawings via email, or if you want to meet your classmates share your answers via Instagram with the hashtag #FashionIllustrationCourse.

What outfits will you draw? Oh, this is super exciting!

Love!

LESSON 6