10 Teaching Methods

10.1 Resources

10.1.3 Apparel Design & Pattern Development

Steinhaus, N.H. & Lott, L.M. (1991). I CAD can you: Auto CAD for apparel design and pattern development. Grant Rapids, MI: PW Publications. ISBN 0-9630520-0-04, 276 pages, $29.95 (U.S.), $34.95 (Canada).

Reviewed by Janice Huck, Kansas State University

AutoCAD is a powerful computer-aided design software package that was originally developed for engineering and architectural uses. Because of its affordability and versatility, AutoCAD has found its way into many college level apparel design programs, where industry standard computer-aided design software is too expensive to purchase. It has remained the challenge of those in the apparel profession to adapt AutoCAD to apparel design and patternmaking, as little literature on this subject exists. I CAD Can You is one of the several manuals available on the market today that attempts to fulfill this need.
I CAD Can You covers the basic drawing and editing tools of AutoCAD. Additionally, (and more importantly), a number of apparel-related AutoCAD applications are covered, including digitizing in existing patterns, textile design, flat pattern manipulation, and pattern grading and drafting.
Having taught AutoCAD for several years in the undergraduate program at Kansas State University, I know that many of us are "self-taught" in this area; our knowledge of AutoCAD - particularly in apparel applications - has largely been gained through trial and error. Also, how the software is introduced and presented to students so that it is interesting and easily understood is an ongoing concern.
Steinhaus's and Lott's approach to AutoCAD in I CAD Can You is an interesting and logical one. The basic AutoCAD commands are covered in the first few chapters. Instructions are presented in an easy-to-follow manner and should not be overly confusing to the newly-initiated AutoCAD user. Some of the apparel drawings that are included as exercises at the end of each section seem overly simple in their rendition, but many not intimidate students who are attempting to duplicate them. The authors' touches of wit, through "Humbling Experiences" and appropriate quotations, make the book more interesting and add a touch of humor.
The major contribution of this manual is its extensive coverage of flat pattern development, grading patterns via AutoCAD, and pattern drafting. For example, the section on drafting allows the user to completely draft a unisex shirt via AutoCAD. Although the approach is totally "cookbook", the latter portion of the chapter explains how a similar approach could be taken to draft any pattern of the user's choice.
In the time this manual has been on the market, a new version (Version 12) of AutoCAD has been introduced. It has several features, which make the entire computer-aided design process simpler, as well as more powerful to use. Since I CAD Can You is certainly a book that I would recommend to the apparel design student and instructor, I hope that Steinhaus and Lott are planning a new version of I CAD Can You that incorporates the features of AutoCAD Version 12.