Before beginning a sewing project, it’s important to know how to read sewing patterns accurately. Read this article to sharpen your sewing skills.

1. Know Your Measurements

If you’re new to sewing, you may be mistakenly under the assumption that the same size you wear at the store will be the same size pattern you need to create a garment. Pattern companies do not fit or measure their garments the same way premade fashions do, however. In order to get the best fit on a handmade garment, you’ll want to learn how to measure your bust, waist, and hips and how to compare those to the size charts provided on the back of your pattern’s package.

2. Pre-Read the Instructions

Most mistakes made while sewing stems from skipping instructions or attempting to rush towards a finished product. In reality, creating a handmade item can be a time-consuming process, and careless errors only increase the amount of time needed to finish a project.

3. Choose Quality Patterns

There are several reputable pattern companies available to choose from, like McCall’s, Vogue, and Simplicity. These companies have a proven reputation and release multiple new patterns a year developed by pattern drafting professionals.

Quality sewing patterns will include step-by-step instructions, recommendations on fabric choices for each project, and even a basic glossary of sewing terms for the benefit of beginner sewers.

4. Read Pattern Reviews

Another way to judge the quality of the pattern is to look at end-product reviews. Sometimes, more advanced sewers will post their impressions of a pattern and its end result online, providing helpful feedback on fabric choices, clarity on the pattern’s instructions, and a visual representation of the final product.

Reading pattern reviews may not necessarily directly enhance your ability to read sewing patterns, but they will help educate you on what does and doesn’t work with a particular pattern.

5. Understand Which Materials to Use for the Job

It’s difficult to sew well without having the right tools for the job, and patterns often indicate helpful supplies on their packages. Some examples of what you may find include fabric types, notions, appliques, and fusible interfacing. Understanding the list of materials needed will greatly benefit your understanding of any pattern and how it comes together.

6. Learn Common Pattern Marking Symbols

In some ways, this is akin to learning a new language. Pattern marking symbols allow one to glean useful information regarding the front and back of a pattern piece, seam widths, folds, darts, and more at a glance. Furthermore, it is almost impossible to encounter a commercial pattern without pattern-marking symbols, particularly if you’re looking to get into garment construction.

7. Hire an Instructor

If you have the funds, a personal instructor can provide personalized feedback for all of your questions.

8. Understand the Order of Operations

Garments are almost always constructed in this order, with only a handful of exceptions:

• Darts/tucks/pleats
• Stylize lines, ex: princess seams, yokes
• Pockets
• Zippers
• Shoulder seams
• Side seams and inseams
• Waistbands and facings
• Collars
• Sleeves
• Hems
• Closures and buttons

Following this order of operations will simplify the garment construction process!

Published by: Nelly Chavez