How to Read + Prepare Sewing Patterns, from Mary Abreu. Mary Abreu from Confessions of a Craft Addict joined us for a truly impressive costume series several years ago.
(Links at bottom of this post.) We’re big fans of her 2010 Little Girls, Big Style: Sew a Boutique Wardrobe from 4 Easy Patterns and we’re also super-excited about her new Modern Style for Girls: Sew a Boutique Wardrobe (Stash Books, an imprint of C&T Publishing). From the publisher: Choose the Correct Pattern Size. Learn how to choose the correct pattern size for a well-fitting garment.
Personal measurement chart by Susan Andriksfrom Threads #86, pp. 14, 16 The first step to making a garment that fits well is to choose the correct pattern size. This may seem obvious, but it's surprising how many sewers start with the wrong size, then end up making a lot of adjustments to get a good fit. Measurements are key When choosing a pattern size, you need to know some basic body measurements (see Personal measurement chart). As I'm sure you're aware, sizing in the ready-to-wear industry is not consistent and most of us fit into a wide range of sizes, depending on the designer or manufacturer. Among the major pattern companies (see Pattern companies online), however, sizing is based on a standard set of body measurements, which are provided on each pattern envelope and at the back of the pattern catalogs.
Sewing 101: Pattern Size and Body Measurements. Part 2: What Pattern Size are You?
One of the reasons that people sew is to get a garment that fits perfectly. People are not necessarily created equal – they come in all shapes, heights and sizes. Like ready-to-wear clothes, sewing patterns come several different sizes to fit all of these different bodies. Patterns can come in numbered (10-12-14, etc.) or lettered (S-M-L, etc.) sizes, just like at retail. But the similarities in sizing end there, so it’s very important to remember: Pattern sizes are not the same as retail clothing sizes Ever try on similar skirts from two different brands, both marked with the same size, only to find that they fit differently?
Letter to the Big Four. Designers (Hot Patterns)Drafters (Style Arc)Passionate Teachers (Cake, Sewaholic)Downloads (Lekala)Software (PMB, Bernina My Label)Sewing Celebrity Books (Gertie) Before I get to my point, let me, your customer, tell you a little bit about myself.
I learned to sew in public school, which is another way of saying I am an American Baby Boomer. Prior to June 2012, sewing was not something I discussed with anyone outside the online sewing community. I never belonged to the American Sewing Guild, for example. Since July 2012, sewing is often the first thing family, friends and co-workers bring up in conversation. Did you know that you lost sales over the last few decades? How to Organize Your PDF Sewing Patterns - Sew Mama Sew. Free Japanese Sewing Patterns Links » Japanese Sewing, Pattern, Craft Books and Fabrics. How To Assemble PDF Patterns Quickly & Efficiently. We are super excited that this year we began to introduce PDF sewing patterns!
With the last few new patterns, we have been able to offer a PDF download option as well as our usual printed patterns. We are also working through the existing pattern line, and eventually we would like to offer the instant download option for every pattern. Personally, I love PDFs. I love having the option of reprinting instead of retracing. I love the instant gratification. Print in draft. When I print PDF patterns, I always print in “draft” mode. Since we’re on the subject of printing, be sure to turn off page scaling! Trim sparingly. The pattern will print out with a border of empty space all around the page.
Keep a recycling bin at arms reach. When I am working on a new project, I am the worst for leaving a trail of paper, fabric scraps, and loose threads. One row at a time. The first few times I assembled PDF patterns, I would trim a page, tape it down, trim a page, tape it down. Small pieces of tape. Sewing Pattern Vocabulary. Hello there!
If you are new here, you might want to subscribe via email so you don't miss a post. Hey y’all – today I want to go over a few parts of sewing patterns. Sometimes when you’ve been sewing for a while, you forget that words like “armscye” and “rise” as they’re used in sewing aren’t common knowledge, so today I’m going to break down the basic parts of bodices, pants and sleeve patterns – a sewing pattern vocabulary, if you will. Let’s start with the bodice – below is a basic bodice block. Bodice pattern piece – basically a top for a dress or shirtArmscye – the curve on the bodice pieces that goes around the arm.Shoulder seamDart – part of the fabric that is sewn together to help flat fabric mirror the three dimensional curves of the body.NecklineWaistline Sleeve PatternSleeve cap – the edge that gets sewn into the armscye; also all of the sleeve above the biceps lineSleeve cap height – this is taller for more fitted sleeves and shorter for looser sleevesUnderarm seamsHem.
Dictionary of Japanese Sewing Terms. Last update – 11 Dec 2013 This list is constantly growing as I will be updating it when I come across new terms.
I have accumulated this list by painstakingly going through the dictionary so please do not reproduce this on your own personal blog. PatternReview.com. Downloads & Tutorials. The curious kiwi loves free stuff and I am sure you do too.
Here are some patterns & tutorials I have made, plus a few other random but useful downloads. Please feel free to have a go and make sure you share your results with me, I am curious to see them :). Tutorial: Tracing Burda patterns is like eating peas…(you can do it!) It’s not that hard once you get the hang of it. There is a method to the madness, a way to find your pattern piece within the scribbley mess of lines and after a while your eyes start following the right line and you sort of blur out the rest of the pattern sheet. Tutorial: Unravelling the hilariousness that Burda calls “Instructions” Simplicity Tips & Tricks. Understanding Sewing Patterns. Hi fashion sewers, In this post, I would like to talk, and demonstrate the importance of being able to understand the many markings found on sewing patterns.
Demystifying Sewing Patterns. So - you’ve got your first sewing pattern and are ready to make that garment.
But what on Earth does all that stuff on the envelope mean?! Navigating and deciphering the text on a sewing pattern cover for the first time can make your eyes glaze over and your brain ache. A whole load of information is crammed into a small space, numbers jumping all over the place.