TMU professor and technical designer set to release first-ever textbook dedicated to plus-size patternmaking

Toronto, ON - Plus-Size Patternmaking for Womenswear(external link) co-authored by Toronto Metropolitan University fashion scholar Leila Kelleher and technical designer Gabby Brown, will be published on February 19, 2026. The first dedicated textbook to focus exclusively on plus-size patternmaking, the book addresses a long-standing gap in fashion education and the apparel industry.

For a long time, the traditional fashion curriculum has been focused on thin bodies, leaving students and professionals underprepared to design for all sizes. Despite growing public and student demand for size-inclusive education, formal training in plus-size patternmaking has remained largely absent from classrooms.

Plus-Size Patternmaking for Womenswear was written for busy fashion faculty and industry professionals. For the first time, fashion schools can easily integrate plus-size patternmaking into the curriculum.

The textbook aims to substantially change the conversation in the fashion industry, by educating professionals and future leaders with the tools to design for plus-size consumers.

Co-author Leila Kelleher is a fashion scholar and designer whose work focuses on size-inclusive design, sustainable fashion and the application of biomechanics in apparel development.

"We are really excited to be able to offer students and industry professionals drafting instructions designed specifically for plus-size bodies," said Kelleher. "Up until now, this knowledge has been siloed and not passed on in fashion schools. We hope that this will improve the quality of fit of clothing available for plus-size folks."

Co-author Gabby Brown is a technical designer and consultant in the American fashion industry.

"We had been having great conversations about the lack of plus-size fashion knowledge, and who had access to it," said Brown. "We realized it wasn't where it needed to be, which is in schools. We decided to change that and wrote this book. It's unacceptable for an industry that literally everyone in the world needs to ignore an entire subset of people."

A book launch featuring a discussion with both authors will take place on February 27 at TMU's Rogers Communication Centre. For more information, visit the event page.(external link)

About Plus-Size Patternmaking for Womenswear

An essential guide to patternmaking for plus-size fashion, and the specialized skills, shapes, and techniques required to achieve a great fit and make beautiful clothing that truly understands plus-size bodies.

Covering every step of the pattern-drafting process, from developing a size chart, to considering mobility and wearing ease, to adapting smaller dress forms for use with plus-sizes, Plus-Size Patternmaking for Womenswear is an essential textbook for all modern fashion and apparel students.

About Toronto Metropolitan University

A world-class research institution and Canada's leader in innovative, career-oriented education, TMU offers more than 60 undergraduate programs, over 65 graduate programs, and 80 continuing education certificate programs. The university boasts ten faculties, including the Lincoln Alexander School of Law and the new TMU School of Medicine, which launched in September 2025. Established in 1948, TMU is home to nearly 48,000 students, including 2,900 Master's and PhD students, 4,000 faculty and staff, and over 245,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit torontomu.ca.

For Media Inquiries

Denee Rudder
Toronto Metropolitan University
[email protected]