This section is from the book "Clothing For Women: Selection, Design, Construction", by Laura I. Baldt. Also available from Amazon: Clothing For Women: Selection, Design, Construction.
Pin the material with lengthwise thread down the center front of figure. Pin at the waist. Mark off the desired widths at hip and bottom, conforming to the figure; fold the edge of panel, and pin, allowing seam. Place the straight or partly bias edge of material to edge of the panel, allowing seam, and pin. Be careful to keep a good line. Pin at the waist and hip. Mark off the desired width at hip and bottom and turn back the edge of the gore or allow seam to extend, if it is a wide gore meeting a back panel. Continue in the same way marking line at the bottom when design is completed.
Design, on form, a simple circular skirt in tissue paper.
Design, on form, a simple gored skirt (four or six) in tissue paper.
Experiment with practice material without cutting, copying folds of drapery in fashion plates. See whether the effect has been gotten by use of lengthwise, crosswise or bias folds.
Design a simple skirt for an afternoon dress, with drapery of some sort, that can be caught up by tiny bunches of artificial flowers.
Apply the principles of draping shirtwaists, sleeves, collars, and cuffs to the design of an entire dress as follows:
Choose material for an afternoon dress of silk. Select design in fashion book suitable for the material and yourself. Carry out the design in detail according to suggestions given above.
Same as above, substituting party frock for afternoon dress of silk.
Originate a design for someone else, choosing fabric and decoration.
 
Continue to: