HOW TO READ AND UNDERSTAND A SEWING PATTERN (commercial & indie)

[@mamamack4604]

Claire, you are everything I want in a teacher: warm, knowledgeable, real, and not pretentious! Thank you!

[@suek7086]

I so agree.

[@Penguinandpear]

Thank you both that means a lot!

[@stephaniecruz8260]

Very detailed and informative

[@cherylp.3347]

After viewing this, I’m reminded of what it felt like as a beginner. That’s A LOT of information to take in and can seem overwhelming. . If you’re a new sewer, don’t give up you’ll get there! Well done, Claire.

[@oldladyhen]

Knowledge, experience, professional but also and the best .....It's like a chat with your best mate 😊

[@alisonwilliams5355]

Great instructions Clare, you are a great teacher.

[@Penguinandpear]

Thank you Alison

[@hollyhock4160]

Excellent info that would really encourage beginners to feel more confident

[@ishachayil820]

It is a wonderful resource for beginners! I learned to sew with commercial patterns more than 40 years ago, but I do find Indie patterns simpler to read.

[@robynlaszlo6128]

Great info you put in the details for everyone you explain very well

[@victoriahannah1633]

Thank you for all this info. I have done a bit of sewing but review always helps and I always learn something new. I am really looking forward to more of your instructional videos. Hello from Virginia.

[@newcreations1064]

Oh that was a great help Claire,i am really enjoying this series.Thank you. hugs Jean.x

[@helenhart4778]

lots of fantastic information, thank you for sharing

[@stanjones2277]

Love your vids! You're entertaining and you break it all down girl!! Thank You!!

[@sewhoneybea]

I love watching your videos 😊👍

[@lesleyharris525]

Thank you Clare,I've used patterns but always crossed my fingers and hopefully it would work,lol,but now I know what it means,💖

[@KLeonardM]

Oh my goodness . All those lines and dashes. I hope this series is a long one. Thanks so much Claire. I do like the Indies better. Now to Google

[@Penguinandpear]

It will be a long series. I have about 30 videos planned maybe more.

[@KLeonardM]

@@Penguinandpear I am thrilled . Thanks so much

[@qormi1000]

Very well explained. Thank you Claire. xxxx

[@juadonna]

Hello, from Florida! Thank you, Claire, for the in depth look at the pattern contents. The commercial patterns look quite a bit more detailed than they did in the 1960's when I started sewing! This was pre-Indie patterns and pre-knits (except for dreadfully stiff double knits, lol). Got away from sewing in the 1980's and back into it when mask-making became a must. That is one of the few good side effects of these difficult times, I suppose. I subbed to your channel (about a year ago) when I acknowledged the reality of my body Now vs Then. BTW, I like the bright colors you were wearing on this post! See you next episode! Take Care!

[@kewikid68]

Well, I could have thought of that...🙈 Great video! Thank you 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@elaine1250]

That was so good and very informative Claire , it really helps , i look forward to the pattern sizing , I find that so confusing and is the worst part of dressmaking ,you are a real star ⭐️ and very clearly explained , thankyou for sharing as always 😘!!

[@christinetangeman624]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge of pattern reading! I have been dealing with patterns for a very long time and this has been the best explanation I have ever heard, thank you! The F on the pattern is for Australian, and other countries, for pricing. Different letters letters, different prices. The price here is usually between $15 and $30. When the US have their $0.99 sale, I almost cry. The best offer I have seen here has been 3 for $15, then I hope I can get there and have some money as well, I don't buy patterns often! Regards Christine 🙋‍♀️🇦🇺👍🏻👌😉

[@prof.mommyarty]

They can be intimidating at first. Woah, so cheap in the USA! I haven't used an indie pattern yet, they look so simple to follow. Very handy video Claire, Tfs 💖

[@karensimaeys295]

this was an awesome video very informative and well done!

[@sharoncampbell9022]

Oh my, I’ve only tried love notions patterns and I must say they seemed to be a lot less complicated than these - although you have to print them yourself Thank you for this though, i do have a couple of commercial patterns still in their envelopes waiting for me to get brave! X

[@Penguinandpear]

I’ve sewn a lot of Love Notions patterns too. I think the main difference is there’s a lot more support for customers of LN patterns (and other indies). I don’t feel the big 4 have the modern day new user in mind really when they produce these patterns which is a shame because they have great patterns.

[@sharoncampbell9022]

I should have added that I was inspired to try love notions after watching one of your videos a while back in which you listed a bunch of free patterns that were size inclusive so many thanks for that inspiration! X

[@HoneyBear36]

So helpful! My first commercial pattern project is still sitting unfinished because the instructions were not very good when it came to doing the lining and it’s an older pattern so no tutorials on KZbin. What did we ever do before KZbin!

[@hinatahyuuga120]

Funny thing was I was just on tik tok yesterday. And a viral video and a bunch of people agreed either. They didn't know about ease! Or hqo to figure out how much ease was in the pattern with out the info on the envelope. Because ease can majorly effect how a pattern turns out. I thought this was common knowledge because I was always taught to measure my patterns and subtract all the seam allowances

[@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647]

So sorry, that I am late, could someone suggest some places for vintage cloth for reproduction garmets?

[@KLeonardM]

Claire, I had to pause. Where in America can I get patterns so cheap ? How do I not know this ? Now back to you. lol

[@Penguinandpear]

I believe Joann and hobbylobby regularly have 1.99 sales. If you follow them on social media im sure they’ll announce their sales.

[@KLeonardM]

@@Penguinandpear thanks so much . Will give it a try

[@sewhoneybea]

@@KLeonardM Hello. I’m in USA, California. 😊. I go to Joann’s. If you sign up you can get coupons coming by text, email or snail mail. It is always in tiny print on the ads. Always try and go on the first day of the sale or the one you want may be sold out. 👍😊. Pattern sale tomorrow July 22-25, 2021 $1.99 for Simplicity & Kwick Sew. If you miss it they will have another sale in a few weeks.

[@annewhitney8809]

Ellie and Mac have Wacky patterns that sell for $1.00. They change weekly. Love Notions have a feature pattern every Friday that sells for $5.00 many of the independent companies have a free pattern to interest desists in their products.

[@mamamack4604]

@@sewhoneybea yep, this is how I have most of the patterns in my stash. Also, Joann will sell simplicity and kwik sew patterns for 99 cents a few times a year. I always keep my eyes open for those sales!

[@KLeonardM]

Claire, you need to move next door to me!

[@Penguinandpear]

Haha that would be great! Careful what you wish for lol. 😁

[@KLeonardM]

@@Penguinandpear it would be great to bounce ideas around and sew together . lol

[@annewhitney8809]

Consider choosing a pattern and cutting it out. Would take several videos but you would expose all the mysteries of the pattern company….. cheap patterns…Joann often has 99 cent sales and some of the Indie companies have deals too.

[@Penguinandpear]

It’s on the list to do but this mini series is general beginner and plus size advice rather than attached to a sewalong. But will do videos outside of the mini series too.

[@annewhitney8809]

Checking out a serger tomorrow. Lady says she has only used it twice. It’s been listed for a while and she has dropped the price. Stay tuned.

[@Penguinandpear]

@@annewhitney8809 how exciting!!

[@melblue107]

pattern sizing seems to have no relation to sizes that one would use for ready to wear - is that right?

[@Penguinandpear]

Yes that’s correct. Sizing in both industries is arbitrary based on in-house decisions. Just taking your measurements and using those to choose your pattern size on each pattern is the only way to choose an accurate size.

[@acebaker3623]

If you want measurements in metric, just take the numbers from the French side.

[@Penguinandpear]

Great tip!

[@acebaker3623]

@@Penguinandpear Something else I learned recently - not my idea - but when you take your own measurements, it can be disheartening, if you haven't done it in a few years. So, take them in whatever measurement you're least familiar with. Then you won't be as emotionally attached to these "new" numbers being different from the ones you remember from your youth. ;)

[@Joanna-bk4fc]

F may stand for Female measures

[@Penguinandpear]

Thanks for letting me know!

[@Joanna-bk4fc]

@@Penguinandpear l am just thinking it might be. Thank you for your video(s). I love watching them.