by Susan Lazear, Cochenille Design Studio

Garment Designer pattern making software is an amazing design tool. I know I’m biased, but there hasn’t been a time that I’ve printed a pattern, when I haven’t smiled and inwardly danced a jig.

What I particularly like, is finding new uses for the software; beyond the typical dress or sweater. So, when the man in my life suggested I give a try to hand-building ceramics, it didn’t take too long for me to realize that Garment Designer would once again be my friend.

*Ceramic Vessel Designed in Garment Designer Pattern Making Software*

I’ve always known that there is a lot of similarity between patternmaking and woodworking. Both require a certain precision in planning, cutting, and putting the parts together. So, it didn’t take me too long to realize in planning a ceramic piece, that once again, these skills were transferable, and I could use Garment Designer to build the pattern.

Building the Pieces

My plan for my ceramic piece was to create a vessel for kitchen utensils. Given my nature, and my personal passions, I decided to model it after a clothing item, specifically, a kimono; I was thinking asymmetry, a bit of texture.

So, first came the sketch, and then, some dimensions.

Then, on to the computer to create the paper pattern. I used the Generic Shapes and chose a rectangle shape as my starting point, and then dragged a few points around to create the pattern. I planned to use the printed pattern to test proportions, size, and the overall effect.

Once I confirmed that my pattern would give me the shape I want, I used it to cut out the clay.

Next, came the process of shaping the clay around just the right 3-d object.

Textiles and clothing generally have some texture, so I wanted to add this to the clay.

I had so much fun with this first piece, a second one followed… slightly smaller, but based again on a garment. This new piece had a textured collar and a belt.