Create a set of basic garment flats

Learning Illustrator

Download Adobe Illustrator
If you don’t already have it, download Adobe Illustrator from https://creative.adobe.com. You can purchase the program or access to the entire Creative Cloud for a monthly fee that varies from plan to plan. Adobe also offers free 30-day trials of each program in the Adobe Suite.
Get Acquainted with the Tools Panel
Refer to this guide of the Tools Panel for quick descriptions of each tool.

Here is a little more information about the tools I taught you in this video:

Selection (V): Used to select, move, scale, rotate or reflect using the object’s bounding box. Click outside the object (on the page) with the selection tool to deselect. The selection tool is also used to drag a selection marquee over the object to select it.

Direct Selection (A): Used to select or move an anchor or direction point. Reshape an object by moving its anchors or its handles.

Rectangle Tool (M): Click on this symbol to reveal Circle Tool (L), Rounded Rectangle Tool, Polygon tool, Star tool, and Flare tool.
Learn About Objects
Anatomy of an object: An object (shape) in Adobe Illustrator is defined by anchors, paths, handle direction, and handle points. Here are more detailed descriptions of each:

-Anchor point: a corner or smooth point that anchors the path.

-Path: a straight or curved line between anchors.

-Handle line: a line that guides the slope of a curved path.

-Handle point: a handle that controls the slope of a curved path (Note: direction lines and direction points of a curved segment are visible when the path is selected with the Direct Selection tool)

-Closed shape/Open Shape: a closed shape is a continuous path with no end points. An open shape is non-continuous and has end points.

Fill & Stroke: The fill of an object is the color within its outlines and the stroke of an object is the outline. Objects can either have a solid fill or a “none” fill (none = no color).

A default fill and stroke defines an object or shape with a black stroke and a white fill, more specifically an object with a 1.0 point stroke weight. The main parts of your garment flat will be closed shapes with a default fill and stroke. The fill and stroke of an object can be changed according to the detail you will create. To change the fill to a “none” fill simply click the None option in the Tools Panel or click “/” on your keyboard.

Stroke Weight: By default, an object’s stroke weight is 1.0pt (point). The stroke weight of an object can be increased to appear as a thicker outline and/or a dash line attribute can be applied (as it would appear in topstitching). The stroke weight can be set before or after the shape is created.
Create A Shape
Shape tools create predefined anchors and paths. Any shape you begin drawing will take on the fill and stroke color indicated on the bottom of the Tools Panel. Selecting a shape tool and clicking on your artboard will result in a shape dialog box that will allow you to type in specific measurements. You can also create a shape by simply clicking and dragging in your artboard.

Tip: To create a proportioned shape (perfect square or perfect circle) hold down the Shift key while creating your shape.
Learn How to Transform and Reorder Objects
Transforming an Object: The simplest way to move, scale or rotate an object is by using its bounding box, which is visible when the object is selected using the Selection Tool (V).

The 3 transforming options that I demonstrate in this unit are:

Move: Change the position of the object on the page by clicking to select the object then dragging to move it.

Scale: Resize the object using its bounding box - select the object with the Selection Tool, position your pointer on the corner handle of the bounding box until you see the double-head scale arrow symbol, then drag the corner handle to resize the object. Tip: To constrain the proportions of your object, hold the Shift key while scaling.

Rotate: Select the object with the Selection tool then position the pointer just outside of the corner handle until you see the double-head rotate arrow symbol then drag the arrow to rotate the object.

Stacking Order & Reordering: Each time an object is drawn or pasted into a workspace it is stacked on top of existing objects.

Once an object is created on top of the stack it can then be sent to the back of the stack if needed. Essentially you can change the stacking order using the Bring to Front/Send to Back command by right clicking > Arrange menu.

Other useful short-cut key commands:

Copy: Ctrl + C

Paste: Ctrl + V

Paste In Place (or Paste In Front): Ctrl + F

Undo: Ctrl + Z
Create an Image from Shapes
Once you have oriented yourself with the shape tool, create an image using only shapes! Here are some fun examples of creating images using only shapes:

Share your design image with your classmates here on Skillshare!

The Pen Tool & More Panel Functions

Get Familiar with the Pen Tool
The Pen Tool (P) is unique because it allows you to set anchors exactly where you want to create straight or curved paths. For this reason, the Pen Tool is the primary tool used to create garment flats and complex details.

As you use the Pen Tool to create shapes, note these 10 Pen Tool symbols: (Note: make sure the Caps Lock key on your keyboard is off.)

Reshaping: Anchor points, paths, and handles can be reshaped using the Direct Selection Tool (A). Simply click on an anchor point with the Direct Selection tool and reposition the point.

To add or subtract anchor points, make sure your object is selected with the Selection Tool (V) and click on a path where you’d like to add or subtract an anchor point.

Convert Anchor Point: Select the object with the Selection Tool then select the Convert Anchor Point Tool. To convert a smooth anchor point to a corner anchor point, click on the anchor point that is in between a curve. To convert a corner anchor point to a smooth anchor point, click and drag on a corner anchor. Once the handles are visible, use the Direction Selection Tool to continue adjusting the curves.
Learn How To Align & Distribute Objects
The Align Panel offers many options for aligning and distributing two or more objects. This function will be very useful when it comes to evenly distributing buttons. (Note: individual objects cannot be aligned if it belongs to a group - a grouped set of objects will behave as one object when being aligned and distributed.)
Reflect & Grouping
Reflect: select the object with the Selection tool, right click > Transform > Reflect and adjust the information in the pop-up box. If you wish to see what your image will look like once it’s reflected, check the “Preview” box.

Grouping: grouping objects is basically like glueing all its parts together, which makes it easier to select multiple objects at once. Once grouped, several objects can be moved, duplicated, copied, and transformed as one unit. Grouped objects can also be ungrouped and separated if you desire to edit the objects individually.

If you’re confused on whether or not objects are grouped, select objects with the Selection Tool and refer to its bounding box. If the bounding box extends to beyond the immediate outline of your object, it belongs to a group.
Download The Pen Tool Practice Sheet
Download the .ai file given below. Make sure you're working on a new, empty layer above the practice sheet.

Creating Flats for Tops

Download The Croquis
Below are links to male and female croquis. Be sure to save them somewhere you can easily access through Adobe Illustrator.

Place them as a template onto your Artboard by creating a new project with the following artboard dimensions: 8.5” x 11”, then go to your menu bar > File > Place. Select one of the croquis PDF, make sure the boxes for Link and Template are checked, then press Place.
Begin Building the First Half of your Garment
Once you understand what details to mirror while building your technical flat, the more naturally this process will occur to you. This ability to anticipate details you know you'll add in the future is where looking at a garment or at your preliminary sketch comes in handy. Unlike when you first drew your garment, think ahead towards the final piece, instead of simultaneously by adding details as you go.

Here is the specific order in which I recommend you build your garment:

1. Create your bodice: no sleeves, no collar, just a bodice.

2. Create your sleeve: and all the details that accompany the sleeve (cuffs, elbow patches, etc.)

3. Create your collar: whether it’s a ribbed collar or a stand up collar focus on creating as many details as you can at this point.

4. Add stitching: use a thinner stroke weight and a dashed line to distinguish what’s a stitch line.

5. Reflect: reflect the first half of your garment to the opposite side

6. Connect your strokes and objects (if needed): be sure to connect and stitching or object ends that meet at center front where you reflected. Otherwise, your shapes will remain separated and you may experience some complications later on.

7. Add details: now is the time to add any details that didn’t need to be reflected onto both sides (for example, single chest pockets).

Other useful short-cut key commands:

Lasso Tool: Q

Join: Ctrl + J

Eyedropper: I
Refer to These Tips for Help
Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you add more details to your garment:

Begin with what you know. Not that I doubt you or anything, but if this is your first time using Illustrator and/or illustrating a garment, start off slow. I recommend starting with a simple t-shirt as I demonstrated in the video.

Move slow. One of the challenges you may face when using Illustrator is being confused as to what order you should begin designing a garment flat. Move slow, think about the next several steps you will be taking, and where you want to end up. It may even be a good idea to write out the process first to give yourself a visual guide that you can refer to in case you get stuck along the way.

Think before you stitch. Make sure that there is no fill color selected as you create your stitching liens. This will avoid any complications you may experience later on.

Ready to reflect your flat? Double check that your center front seam at the neck is inline with your center front seam at the hem. If they are not aligned, you may experience some complications with reflecting.

Try again and again. It doesn't hurt to re-do a technical flat. Re-illustrating a garment you have already completed may reveal several new techniques that you didn't possess the first time around.

Start small. Before illustrating a more complicated top, take some time and practice making smaller components of your garment that you know you will need for the future. Suggestions: design different styles of buttons, pocket styles, and collar shapes.

Stay organized. A garment flat can get very busy very fast. Try and stay organized by grouping certain components together. For example, group together your collar and its stitching to avoid having to click multiple times if you wish to adjust its placement.

Refer to a garment. If you’re getting the hang of adding details like stitching, take a look at a garment that you own and try and add some more details that I may have not mentioned in the video. Having a garment in front of you also helps as a visual guide.

Reuse and recycle. If a shape is incorrect, don’t be so quick to toss it away. Try and solve the problem by using the Convert Anchor Point Tool or other methods of adjustment. Same thing goes for when you want to design the back of a garment: Copy what shapes you can from the front view of the garment to save you time.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Feel free to spam me with questions (mickey@betabrand.com). I understand how intimidating Illustrator looks when you first start out. Don’t give up from frustration and don’t settle with unanswered questions! I’m here to help.
Try Illustrating One of These Examples
Here are a few examples of simple tops that you are encouraged to try illustrating:

Creating Flats for Bottoms

Download the Croquis
Below are links to male and female croquis. Be sure to save them somewhere you can easily access through Adobe Illustrator.

Place them as a template onto your Artboard by creating a new project with the following artboard dimensions: 8.5” x 11”, then go to your menu bar > File > Place. Select one of the croquis PDF, make sure the boxes for Link and Template are checked, then press Place.
Begin Building the First Half of your Garment
Just like when you illustrate a top, once you understand what details to mirror while building your technical flat, the more naturally this process will occur to you. This ability to anticipate details you know you'll add in the future is where looking at a garment or at your preliminary sketch comes in handy. Unlike when you first drew your garment, think ahead towards the final piece, instead of simultaneously by adding details as you go.

Here is the specific order in which I recommend you build your garment:

1. Create your leg: just the simple silhouette of bottom style you desire.

2. Create your waistband: and all the details that accompany the waistband (belt loops, ribbing, etc)

3. Create your pocket(s): whether it’s a slash pocket or a 5-pocket design focus on creating as many details as you can at this point.

4. Add stitching: use a thinner stroke weight and a dashed line to distinguish what’s a stitch line.

5. Reflect: reflect the first half of your garment to the opposite side

6. Connect your strokes and objects (if needed): be sure to connect and stitching or object ends that meet at center front where you reflected. Otherwise, your shapes will remain separated and you may experience some complications later on.

7. Add details: now is the time to add any details that didn’t need to be reflected onto both sides (for example, single chest pockets).
Try Illustrating One of These Examples
Here are a few examples of simple bottoms that you are encouraged to try illustrating:

Additional Resources

Here are a few examples of simple bottoms that you are encouraged to try illustrating:

Dan Li

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