How To Use Adobe Illustrator To Design Clothes Updated For YouTube

By Tania Melissa
last updated February 10, 2025
Contributions sourced from
Adobe Illustrator for Fashion Design: Ultimate Guide with Free Tutorials
Whether you want your first (or next) job in fashion design, or you want to grow your career as a freelance fashion designer, Adobe Illustrator is required. This guide includes free step-by-step video tutorials and templates so you can learn quickly!
There are 37 video tutorials in this guide, so Ive broken them out into 7 sections organized in logical order. You can follow each one, or skip to ones relevant to you.
- The Illustrator Beginner Series for Fashion Designers
- Fashion Sketches (AKA fashion flats)
- Intuitively Draw Curved Lines
- Recolor Your Designs & Create Colorways in Minutes
- Seamless Repeating Patterns & Textile Design
- Tech Sketches & Technical Design
- Fashion Brushes (zippers, stitching, gathers, etc)
But if you want a little background on Illustrator for fashion, how (and why!) its used, keep reading.
What Software Do Fashion Designers Use to Draw?
If you watch YouTube videos or go to fashion school, you may think that fashion designers frolic in fabric all day and sketch beautiful designs on paper.
Because hand sketching is glamorous. Its sexy!
Visually, it looks really good.
But hand sketching in the fashion industry is OUTDATED.
Hand sketching skills can be useful to get ROUGH ideas on paper quickly. (I know some designers who still start the design process this way.)
But in reality, digital (read: computer) drawing skills are MANDATORY.
This isespeciallyimportant when you want towork remotely as a freelancer.
There are a handful of fancy fashion design programs out there: Colour Matters, Ned Graphics and Kaledo are a few.
There are also a handful of general design programs out there: Corel Draw, Freehand and InkScape are a few.
But NONE of this fashion design software competes with Adobe Illustrator.
Adobe is one of the most WIDELY used design programs in the world.
Its used in LOADS of industries from fashion to graphics and architecture to web.
Its a GIANT company with engineers up the WAZOO and offices around the world.
Since so many people use it, its cost effective (just over $600/year for the entire Suite as of February 2022) and always maintained.
Simply put: Adobe JUST WORKS.
Contrast that against fashion software (NedGraphics, Kaledo and Colour Matters are the 3 big ones) and youre looking at very different things.
First, fashion specific software is EXPENSIVE.
Many programs cost tens of thousands of dollars JUST to get set up ($10-25k) and have yearly subscriptions that are thousands PER user.
Some BIG brands might have that kind of money for software. But smaller brands andfreelancersdont!
After all that $$$, the interfaces are clunky, some only work on Windows, and support is mediocre at best. (I know because Ive used some of them.)
They dont get updated often, theyre buggy, and most are just OUTDATED.
This screenshot of Colour Matters from late 2018. A photo is worth a thousand words:

Theres even been rumor that theyre going out of businesswhich is another scary thing about using industry software.
They just cant maintain their programs.
IMAGINE:
Its mid design season and *poof*, just like that, your software is gone.
No more updates. No more support. All the work you created? Eventually, youll have to recreate from scratch it in another program.
Which is why Illustrator wins. Its flexible, you can endlessly edit things, its relatively cheap.
And its not going anywhere.
If you want to work in fashion design, Adobe Illustrator is mandatory.
Do you need to know Photoshop for fashion design too?
You do not need to know Photoshop for fashion design. Photoshop should be used for photos (cough,Photoshop, cough).

Im not anti-photoshop, and theres a time and place when designers use it in fashion. But its not used for the core set of skills you need, like sketching fashion flats, creating technical sketches, and laying out line sheets.
Fashion design is done with Illustrator. I promise, its all you need.
What Version of Illustrator Do I Need?
The current versions of Illustrator are subscription based and called Creative Cloud (CC). When you subscribe to CC, you get access to all updates.
Previously (before June 2013), designers would buy Illustrator (and other Adobe software) outright and own it.
When it got updated, you either kept the old version or paid for the upgrade.
What version do you need?
The older versions of Illustrator were called Creative Suite (CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS6).
Although CS5 and CS6 still work fairly well, theyre becoming more obsolete every year.
Illustrator CS2, 3 or 4? That stuff is VINTAGE in digital years.
MOST brands are on Creative Cloud (CC). Meaning the software LIVES on your computer but is CONNECTED to the internet.
That way, its always up to date like MAGIC.
As a freelancer, using the most up-to-date version of Illustrator shows brands that youre a professional.
It requires a monthly (or yearly) payment. Illustrator alone is about $20 a month.
If youre still on CS, do you need to upgrade?
Its up to you and your needs.
If youre just using Illustrator for your own design purposes (i.e. youre not sharing files with clients or other team members), older versions can work just fine.
If you havefreelance clients, most brands will expect you to be on the latest version. Otherwise, youll have file compatibility issues.
Thats because Adobe supports forward compatibility, but not backwards.
That means if youre on CS6 (older version) and your client is on CC (newer version), they can open YOUR files, but you wont be able to open THEIRS.
Also, artwork can become a jumbled mess when transferring between versions. Designs can get so broken that they can become almost useless.
More than once, Ive inherited artwork from different versions that was such a mess, it was easier for me to redraw it than try and work with existing files.
So, even though many people are annoyed about paying a monthly subscription fee, I personally think its a great way to keep everyone up to date on the same version. It makes it a lot easier to collaborate and share files.
What Do Fashion Designers Use Illustrator For?
MOST of the fashion design process is done in Illustrator, from sketching to coloring and repeating pattern design to presentation boards.
And here are some of the exact tasks youll use Illustrator for:
CAD work like Fashion Flats & Tech Sketches
Flats are black and white drawings of a garment as if it were laying FLAT on a table. They include accurate construction and styling details (unlike fashion illustrations, which are more artsy).
Add callouts for construction details? Theyre now tech sketches. These are used in tech packs to visually show a factory how to make the garment.
(Newbie to fashion? Flats / tech sketches and tech packs are two greatservices to offer as a freelance fashion designer. Thats why my premium Illustrator and tech pack courses are available toFreelance Acceleratorstudents.)
Textile (Surface) Design + Seamless Repeating Patterns
Illustrator has a pretty amazing pattern-making tool that makes it easy to create custom seamless repeating patterns. You can then fill your flats with them to mockup designs. The software allows you to infinitely customize the size, colors and direction (e.g. on the bias) of the pattern.
Colorways and Line Sheets / Presentation Boards
Fashion designers typically put all the garments in all the colorways together on one board to show the collection merchandised. These layouts are great for design meetings, buyer presentations, or catalogs to help present the line as a whole.
Tech Packs (Do NOT use Illustrator for this. PLEASE DONT.)
I debated whether or not to even include this, but I let it make the cut for TWO reasons:
- I know A LOT of designers and brands who use Illustrator for tech packs
- Illustrator should NOT be used to create tech packs, and I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you why.
Tech packs in Illustrator are INEFFICIENT. And since Im an efficiency NERD
Here are 5 reasons you shouldnt use Illustrator for tech packs (and do them in Excel instead):
- Illustrator does not do math,and things like graded specs require math. Luckily, Excel does this very well.
- Illustrator does not do charts, and tech packs are full of gridded layouts. Like this one for colorways:
Or this one for your BOM (Bill of Materials):
Have you ever tried to create (and then edit!) a chart like that in Illustrator? Its a huge pain and waste of time. Excel does this with a few clicks.
- Illustrator does not play very well with Excel. Meaning its painful to bring data (like graded specs) from Excel into AI. Trust me, its much easier to bring your AI sketches into Excel.
- Most people dont have (or dont know how to use) Illustrator. But Excel? Almost everyone has it. So when your boss or client needs a quick edit, they can DIY it instead of bugging you for Every. Little. Change. #annoyingforeveryone
- Illustrator doesnt link dataso when you have to keep inputting the same info over and over, its a huge pain and a LOT of repetition. And of course (you guessed it) you can do this in Excel.
Illustrator is DESIGN software. Not DEVELOPMENT software.
(Dont believe me?Check out how I put tech packs together in Excel and download my free template.For super in-depth step by step learning, I have a comprehensive course on tech packs available exclusively insideFreelance Accelerator. Ive converted plenty of designers whove graciously thanked me for cutting their tech pack time in half.)
Free Adobe Illustrator Tutorials For Fashion Design
Hand picked and logically organized based on what YOU need to learn RIGHT now.
This is where the REAL work begins.
Up next are 37 tutorials I HAND PICKED for you. But you dont have to go through ALL of them!
Because heres the thing about IllustratorYou dont have to know how to do everything. (I dont, and pretty much no one does!)
And you dont have to MEMORIZE it all. Ive even been known to go back and watch my OWN tutorials. #truestory
Click through to the tutorials that make the most sense for you and hit play.
- The Illustrator Beginner Series for Fashion Designers
- Fashion Sketches (AKA fashion flats)
- Intuitively Draw Curved Lines
- Recolor Your Designs & Create Colorways in Minutes
- Seamless Repeating Patterns & Textile Design
- Tech Sketches & Technical Design
- Fashion Brushes (zippers, stitching, gathers, etc)
15 Best Adobe Illustrator Channels On YouTube (Expert Suggestion)
Adobe Illustrator is a vector-based software that is used to create graphics, logos, illustrations, and so on.
It is a very popular software that has been used by many designers and artists for creating all kinds of graphics.
The software allows you to create 2D images or even make them 3D. This article will help you in finding the best channels on YouTube for learning Adobe Illustrator.
Adobe Illustrator Channels On YouTube
1. Satori Graphics
Satori Graphics is a channel that provides tutorials on Adobe Illustrator. The channel has over 1 million subscribers and is run by Sara Soueidan.
This channel is one of the best channels for learning about Adobe Illustrator.
In this channel, you will learn a lot of new things about Adobe Illustrator, including how to use the pen tool and shape tools in Illustrator CS5 or higher versions of this software program.
You can boost your skills in graphic design by making great use of the valuable content here. It doesnt matter if youre a beginner designer or a more seasoned graphic designer, you can find something useful here for sure.
There are awesome tutorials on graphic design theory, poster designing, logo designing, brand identity, and much much more.
If youre serious about being a graphic designer, subscribe to my channel for Illustrator and Adobe tutorialsand all of the other design content that your heart desires.
2. Yes Im a Designer
This is the channel of a designer from the UK. Its a mix of tutorials, freebies, and paid products. The videos are mostly about web and graphic design so if thats what youre looking for then this channel will be perfect for you!
The channel is updated frequently with new videos, so its always worth checking for new content. There are also a lot of free tutorials that you can use to learn how to design websites and graphics on your own.
The channel also offers paid courses, but they are only available to subscribers. The channel also has a website that you can use to buy products or access tutorials for free.
The subscriber base is quite large, and there are many different types of people who subscribe to this channel. If youre looking for a place to learn how to design websites and graphics then this is the perfect channel for you!
Here is our latest post about 12 Adobe Illustrator Tutorials that will make you a Pro
3. Spoon Graphics
Spoon Graphics is a channel that focuses on Adobe Illustrator tutorials. Its one of the best Adobe Illustrator channels on YouTube and has over 500k+ subscribers with more than 32 million views.
The channel has been created by Chris Spooner, who is a renowned graphic designer and web developer by profession.
The channel has many different types of videos, including tutorials on how to use Adobe Illustrator, as well as tips and tricks. You can also find video editing tutorials here, along with many other types of design tutorials.
The total number of subscribers of Spoon Graphics is around 500k. The channel has 32 million views and is growing at a rate of about 50k+ new subscribers per month.
4. Gareth David Studio
Gareth David is a professional illustrator and designer who has been creating artwork for over 20 years. He has a YouTube channel where he shares his work, tutorials, and tips on how to improve your skills as an artist.
Gareths videos are easy to follow and well-researched. He explains things in plain English so you can understand them easily without any jargon or confusing terms.
5. GFXMentor
GFXMentor is a channel for graphic design tutorials and inspiration.
They have over 1,000 videos on YouTube and their content covers everything from Photoshop to After Effects, Illustrator, and even video production. In addition to video content, they also have a blog that features tips from the community as well as articles written by experts in the field of design.
The GFXMentor Facebook group has over 27,000 members who share their own work and discuss ideas with one another.
This can be a great place to learn more about the industry or ask questions if youre stuck on something while working in Adobe Illustrator CC 2019 (or any other software).
6. Bring Your Own Laptop
Bring Your Own Laptop is a channel that teaches you how to use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
The channel has over 1000 videos on it, so theres no shortage of content! Its also updated frequently, so you wont have any trouble finding what youre looking for.
The host Matt Borchert is very knowledgeable in this area and has been able to create some great tutorials for beginners as well as experts alike.
The total number of subscribers is around 400k+ with more than 21 million views, which is a pretty big number for this kind of channel.
Check out our trending post on Top 15 Stunning Photoshop and Lightroom Presets in 2023
7. Will Paterson
Will Paterson is a freelance illustrator and designer based in Scotland. He has been working online since 2006 and has worked with many clients from all over the world.
Will is also the author of Web Design & Development With Adobe Creative Cloud, which was published by Packt Publishing in 2015.
Will has been featured in numerous publications such as Design Week, Creative Bloq, and Computer Arts Magazine (UK).
His channel is having a subscriber base of around 600k+ with more than 50 million views, which is also a pretty big number for this kind of channel.
8. tutvid
Tutvid is a great channel for learning about the latest trends in design. They have over 1 million subscribers, and they post new videos every day. Their topics include typography, logo design, and more!
The best part? Theyre not just showing you how to use the softwarethey actually teach you how to create your own designs from scratch!
9. Envato Tuts+
Envato Tuts+ is a great resource for learning Adobe Illustrator, as well as many other design and development topics.
The channel has hundreds of tutorials covering the basics through advanced features, so we recommend checking it out if youd like to learn more about Illustrator.
Envato Tuts+ also has paid courses available in their store which can be a good choice if youre looking for more structured training that covers specific skill sets or project types.
Additionally, Envato Tuts+ offers many free online courses on various subjects related to design including Photoshop CC: Quick Tips and Tricks; Introduction To Inkscape, etc.
10. How to Graphic Design
How to Graphic Design is a YouTube channel that offers tutorials on various graphic design topics. The channel has over 140k+ subscribers, and its run by one person who creates new videos every Monday and Friday.
The content is very well organized, with an FAQ section where you can find answers to common questions about how to use Adobe Illustrator or other software programs.
You can also browse through different categories such as typography tutorials or logo designs so that you can find what interests you most quickly without having to search through all of their videos individually!
11. Vector Slate | Graphic Design Tutorials Youtube channel
Vector Slate is run by two graphic designers who create tutorials on Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.
They also have an FAQ section where you can find answers to common questions about how to use the software programs.
The content is very well organized and easy to navigate, with a large variety of different topics like logo design or creating a business card.
The subscriber base is also very active, so you can ask questions and get feedback from other designers in the comments section on each video.
The channel has around 300,000 subscribers and more than 15 million+ views.
Dont forget to check out our recent post about 12 Stunning Photoshop Effects Tutorials to Make your Photos Amazing
12. Brad Colbow
Brad Colbow is a designer and illustrator from Canada who has over 700k+ subscribers on YouTube.
He has created many tutorials for Adobe Illustrator and his style of drawing is unique, which is why hes so popular.
He has a lot of great content, including how to draw animals and people, how to use the pen tool in Illustrator, and how to create a logo. The channel is very well organized and easy to navigate through.
13. Dom Designs
Dom Designs is a YouTube channel that offers tutorials on Adobe Illustrator. It has over 200k+ subscribers and over 100 videos. The channel started in 2018 and offers free tutorials on youtube.
The channel offers a great variety of tutorials, including how to use the pen tool in Illustrator and how to create vector art.
It also has some useful tips on how to create a logo and other design elements. The content is well-organized and easy to find.
14. Graphic Design with Elena
Elena is a graphic designer from London, UK. She has over 165k subscribers on her YouTube channel and has been creating videos for over three years. Her videos are clear, logical, and well-paced.
She offers a variety of topics, including how to create an Instagram grid, how to design a logo, and how to create an infographic.
The content is high-quality and easy to follow. If youre looking for some graphic design inspiration or tips on how to become a graphic designer, then Elenas channel is the place for you.
15. Matt Borchert
Matt Borchert is a graphic designer, illustrator, and writer. He has a YouTube channel that has over 110k+ subscribers where he regularly shares his knowledge on Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Corel Painter.
Borchert also likes to give tips on how to be more creative in your daily life and how to improve your workflow. His content has been featured in magazines like Design & Illustration, Digital Artist, and 3D World.
Conclusion
These are some of the best Adobe Illustrator channels on YouTube. I hope you enjoyed reading through my list, and if there are any other experts out there that you think should be added to it then please let me know in the comments below!
Recommended reading: 20 Best YouTube Channels to Learn Photoshop in 2023
FAQs
What is the best YouTube channel to learn Adobe Illustrator?
There are many YouTube channels to learn Adobe Illustrator. The best is Envato Tuts+ which teaches you everything you need to know about Adobe Illustrator in a fun and easy-to-follow manner.
Can I learn Illustrator on YouTube?
You can definitely learn Illustrator on YouTube, but its best to supplement your learning with other resources.You can find videos on YouTube that will teach you the basics of Illustrator, but if you want to go beyond that, its best to supplement your learning with books and tutorials.
Where is it best to learn Illustrator?
YouTube is perfect for learning Illustrator because there are a huge number of informative videos available to help you.