Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 37

SIMPLIFYING COMPLEX PATTERNS
When we get a project that looks complicated, the first thing

are basically simple building blocks, but the beauty is their

we do is break it down into manageable bits. For a new

accessibility and versatility-the ability to make increasingly

fabricator, something like a pontoon seat cover can be an

complicated things with simple parts.

overwhelming mess of curves and weird angles. I grew up
with Legos®; kids now have Minecraft. At their core, both

Let's use a pontoon lounge seat cover as an example.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

We start masking out the seat cover. First, we

This same process takes place if you are

Once we've collected our pattern pieces,

look for the high points and angle changes.

digitally templating. The same reference

we lay them out on our patterning table. The

The better we can train ourselves to look for

points, high points, obstructions, etc. would

goal at this stage is to reconnect as many

simple shapes and planes, the easier and

need to be collected, and learning how

of our pattern pieces as we can. Darts can

faster it is to create a grid or wireframe of our

to identify them is important. As we gain

be eliminated by connecting their peaks,

future cover. Pencil reference marks on our

experience, we start to understand where we

cutting and taping them, and choosing

tape lines create common marks between

need tape lines and where we can simplify

smarter locations for a seam.

potential patterning pieces. The tape lines

on the fly. When we reach a curve or angled

themselves can be used to pin to or as

area that we struggle with, we look to break it

floating reference lines.

into smaller pieces with good match marks.

Photo 4

Photo 5

Photo 6

Good reference marks are key, as well as

Clearly labeling each piece and having

The more practice we get breaking these

photos of the patterning material on the boat.

good photos of the pattern on the boat

types of shapes apart, smartly manipulating

What might have been four to six pieces of

are critical to completing this quickly on

our patterns and communicating important

plastic on the boat can be simplified into two

the table.

information via pictures and reference

to four pieces with smart seam placement

marks, the faster we can produce custom

and easier sewing. Picture the patterning

pieces with fewer errors or rework.

table like a CAD program where we have the
freedom to join pieces together, make edits
and clean up our pattern.
www.marinefabricatormag.com | 37



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Marine Fabricator September/October 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Marine Fabricator September/October 2019

Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - Cover1
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - Cover2
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 1
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 2
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 3
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 4
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 5
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 6
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 7
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 8
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 9
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 10
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Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 12
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 13
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 14
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 15
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 16
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 17
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 18
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 19
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 20
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 21
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 22
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 23
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 24
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 25
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 26
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 27
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 28
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 29
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Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 35
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 36
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 37
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 38
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Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 45
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 46
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 47
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 48
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - cover3
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - cover4
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - Blank1
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - MF Conf 2020 Attendee Brochure 1
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - MF Conf 2020 Attendee Brochure 2
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - MF Conf 2020 Attendee Brochure 3
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - MF Conf 2020 Attendee Brochure 4
Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - MF Conf 2020 Attendee Brochure 5
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