Sketching in Fashion – JSS1 Fashion and Garment Making Lesson Note (Third Term)

Fashion sketching (also called fashion illustration) is the drawing of a clothing idea on paper before the cloth is cut and sewn.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define fashion sketching and a croquis.
2. Draw the silhouette of a simple garment and add details to it.
3. Name the basic tools used for fashion sketching.
4. State three reasons why a designer sketches before sewing.
5. Draw a simple school uniform on a croquis and colour it.

What is fashion sketching?

Fashion sketching is a drawing that shows how a garment will look before it is made.

• Plan: a sketch works like a builder’s drawing, which is made before a house is built.
• What it shows: the shape of a dress, the position of pockets and the style of the sleeves.
• Skill needed: you do not need to be a professional artist, only able to show your idea clearly.
• Other name: fashion illustration.

What is a croquis?

A croquis (pronounced kro-kee) is a quick, rough drawing of a human body used as a base for sketching clothes.

• Purpose: it saves you from drawing the body again for every design.
• How it is used: place thin paper over the croquis and draw the clothes on top.
• Result: the clothes look as if a real person is wearing them.
• Simple versions: a stick figure or the “9-head” method, where the body is about nine head-lengths tall.

How do you keep a sketch balanced?

• Centre line: draw a straight vertical line down the middle of the body first.
• Symmetry: the left side of the design should then match the right side.

How do you draw a simple croquis?

1. Draw a light vertical centre line on plain paper with an HB pencil.
2. Mark nine equal spaces down the line, each the height of the head.
3. Draw an oval for the head in the top space.
4. Add the shoulders, waist, hips, arms and legs in simple shapes.
5. Keep the lines light so they are easy to trace over or erase.

What are the steps for drawing a simple design?

There are three steps for drawing a simple design such as a gown or a shirt: silhouette, details, and texture and movement.

Step 1: Silhouette (the shape)

• Meaning: the silhouette is the outer shape of the garment.
• Ball gown: a wide, full skirt.
• Pencil skirt: a narrow skirt that fits tightly.
• Rule: draw the outline first, without any details.

Step 2: Adding details

• Neckline: the opening for the neck, such as a V-neck, round neck or turtleneck.
• Sleeves: short, long or sleeveless.
• Fasteners: the position of the buttons or the zip.
• Features: pockets, collars or frills (ruffles).

Step 3: Texture and movement

• Light or flowing cloth: use small wavy lines, for example a skirt blowing in the wind.
• Heavy cloth: use straight, thick lines, for example a heavy coat.

What parts of a design should you draw?

Every sketch should show the outline, neckline, seams and shading, as the table explains.

What tools are used for fashion sketching?

A JSS 1 student needs only five basic tools to start fashion sketching.

1. HB pencil: draws light lines that are easy to erase.
2. Eraser: removes mistakes.
3. Coloured pencils: show the colour of the fabric.
4. Fine-liner pen (black): traces over the final pencil lines so the design stands out.
5. Plain white paper: gives a clean surface to show your work.

Why should you learn to sketch?

A designer sketches to save fabric, to communicate with customers and to bring ideas to life.

• It saves fabric: if a design looks wrong on paper, you can change it before you cut the cloth.
• It helps communication: the customer sees what you will sew, so there is no argument later.
• It builds creativity: it turns the ideas in your head into a picture.

Evaluation

1. What is a croquis, and why is it useful to a designer?
2. Mention three details you can add to a basic dress sketch to make it more interesting.
3. Why is it better to sketch a design before sewing it?
4. What tool would you use to show the final colour of a garment in a sketch?

Assignment

Draw a croquis in your notebook using the 9-head method or a simple stick figure. Then draw a simple school uniform on it.

1. Give the uniform a collar.
2. Add two front pockets.
3. Add four buttons down the middle.
4. Colour it using your school colours.