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Use your tape measure to measure your:
Write these measurements down and take them with you to the fabric store. You’ll be looking at the size chart on the pattern envelope to determine your size (see further down under “pull your pattern”). Choose your pattern*
thick catalogs of pattern designs to browse through. Each pattern company publishes its own book. You may recognize the names of the major pattern companies like Simplicity, Vogue, Butterick, and McCall’s. But keep in mind there are also many other smaller pattern companies out there that you may want to eventually explore. The books are categorized by type of project – blouses, evening wear, home décor, etc. to make it easier to find what you’re looking for. As you browse through the designs, you’ll notice many contain patterns for several items. For instance, a pattern may come with different variations of an item (pants may be offered in a shorts version or a skirt may be offered in different lengths) or a pattern may contain designs for a skirt, pants, and jacket.
you look for a simple design for your first project, such as:
Pull your pattern
sew. The pattern should have a number – like 9867. Jot this number down. Most stores keep their patterns in drawers (although some patterns are displayed on racks) and they’ll usually let you pull them yourself. They should be arranged by pattern company and be in numerical order. Find your pattern design.
envelope. Look at this chart to determine your size. Generally speaking:
that as you sew your garment, you can often “take in” an area that’s too large. And as you gain skill, you can start making alterations to the pattern pieces themselves to get a better fit. The size or sizes contained within the pattern envelope should be printed on the front of the envelope. Note that many patterns contain several sizes. So, instead of seeing “10” on the envelope, you’ll likely see “8, 10, 12.” Once you’ve determined which size you need, pull the pattern that contains that size. Doublecheck the pattern’s design details
help you make sure your pattern has the design details you think it does. There should be a brief description of the item(s). Example: Skirt A has a back vent, pants B have an elastic waist. Is this what you want? It can be so disheartening to buy a pattern for pants you thought had a front zipper and it turns out the zipper is on the side. Or a pattern for a straight skirt you thought had a waistband and it turns out it doesn’t.
clearer idea of the item’s proportions and design details, which can sometimes be difficult to discern from the picture on the front of the envelope. For instance, a pair of pants can look tapered on a model, but the drawing on the back of the envelope may show the pants actually have a straighter leg. Your local fabric store may have periodic sales on patterns, such as “All Simplicity patterns, $1.99, three days only.” Therefore, you may want to wait for one of these sales before actually purchasing your pattern. |
Sewing Information, Advice, How-to
| Learn to Sew Lesson #2: Choose Your Pattern |
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Choosing a pattern can be fun and exciting.
But before you rush off and pick the first
pattern that catches your eye, there are a
couple of things to do first.
Take your body measurements
But before you rush off and pick the first
pattern that catches your eye, there are a
couple of things to do first.
Take your body measurements
If you’ve decided on a garment for
your first project, you need to take
your body measurements (or those of
whomever will be wearing the item).
This is an important step because
sewing patterns are sized differently
from ready-to-wear garments. So if
you regularly wear a size 6 off the
rack, don’t be surprised if you take a
size 12 in a pattern.
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Look for the words easy or quick on the pattern envelope. A pattern company may even have a
specific line of patterns labeled easy, which you can keep an eye out for. Once you gain more
skill, you’ll work up to more complex designs later. Remember, the goal of a first project is to
complete it quickly and successfully in order to feel a sense of accomplishment and be
motivated to keep sewing.
specific line of patterns labeled easy, which you can keep an eye out for. Once you gain more
skill, you’ll work up to more complex designs later. Remember, the goal of a first project is to
complete it quickly and successfully in order to feel a sense of accomplishment and be
motivated to keep sewing.
For now, stay away from the following:
- Anything with a zipper (zippers can be challenging to put in)
- Any item with complex pleats or tucks
- A blouse or shirt with cuffs
- A skirt with a kick-pleat
- Items that need lots of tailoring such as suit jackets or coats
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Popular Learn to Sew Books!
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Popular Learn to Sew Books!
Fun Sewing Project Books!
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