How To: Read & Understand a Dressmaking Sewing Pattern?

[@cliffordcarnicom]

For a new sewer, there is a whole lot going on, even with a "very easy" pattern! This is a great help to know what to expect and look for ahead of time, rather than post mistake, thanks much!

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you. Glad I can help.

[@reallifelove]

Aneka, I appreciate your video tutorials SO much! They are so respectful. They give me the sense of being guided as I set out on a journey, with a clear light to see everything I am doing, and the feeling that I have great support to start the learning process with. Thank you for what you do!

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you. You are so welcome!

[@estherb1733]

Thank you so much for such fabulous tutorials. Your beginner series inspired me to finally learn to sew. A month latter I’ve made my kids many simple clothes and I’ve been brave enough to buy a pattern for myself which I’m about to tackle.

[@MadetoSew]

This is wonderful to read. I'm so pleased you have the sewing bug, you will have hours/years of fun. I hope you enjoy creating your first garment.

[@marionlacey1074]

Hello Aneka. Your instructional videos are brilliant and your lovely voice so clear and concise. Thank you. I returned to sewing a year ago and enjoy your lessons so much! 🌺

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you so much Marion. Glad you like my teaching and tutorials. 😊

[@cherylivi7262]

This is incredible! I'm just learning to sew & I had no idea how to read the patterns. U are a life savior

[@MadetoSew]

You are so welcome!

[@sashafierce7249]

Wow! I was watching a lot of sewing videos and downloaded free patterns. But I was very confused about how to make or even interpret the patterns and this video came up! Thank you 🤩

[@MadetoSew]

I'm so glad it has helped.

[@BeaunaturelleFeb11]

You’re such a good teacher! This was very well explained. Thank you.

[@MadetoSew]

You're very welcome!

[@helenjzkkillick4097]

Hi - my mother taught us to sew when we were very young and we made virtually everything on our old treadle (now in my care) but I’ve forgotten so much, so thanks for your series.

[@MadetoSew]

Really glad I could help. How wonderful that you have an old treadle machine, my parents have a few of them. Good luck with your sewing.

[@nanateali1038]

Thanks dear, I just bought one yesterday and I was thinking how I'm going to start doing that , and I'm seeing your video this morning on KZbin is so amazing thank you so much and God bless you🌹

[@MadetoSew]

So pleased I could help. Good luck!

[@maleahlock]

You have such a lovely, concise way of conveying things. Thank you for the video. I wish I had access to something like this when I first started out! I will be sharing your channel with new sewists.

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you for your kind words, and thank you for sharing the channel😊

[@lindanoreika893]

So much learned. Thank you dear. Much appreciated. 🤗🤗🤗

[@MadetoSew]

You are so welcome!

[@jillmeincke9202]

Amazing video! Great tempo, so clear and informative. I am a beginner and learned so much- feels like you saved me from making some major mistakes!

[@MadetoSew]

So glad I could help Jill. Thanks very much. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[@HarwinderKaur-iy9px]

My favorite😍 classes and now I'm able to do anything in tailoring Thank you so much❤😊

[@MadetoSew]

Most welcome 😊

[@Janewomanpower]

this playlist was amazing. i've watched, watched and taken notes, watched and sorted out everything into categories. thank you. now on with practicing tell i feel comfortable learning how to make a dress from a pattern.

[@MadetoSew]

Glad it was helpful!

[@taraking2309]

Sneha Thank you. Would you be able at some point to do a tutorial on actually making an item and following the instructions, sometimes it is difficult to understand what the instructions mean

[@MadetoSew]

Yes, of course I can Tara.

[@seanmcdonald5859]

*stares at patterns currently sitting upon a pentagram* "If THIS video doesn't help, back to Hell you go!!!" 😂

[@kendal4452]

Wow, I would have not known that those were darts. McCalls and Simplicity darts look totally different. That pattern is very advanced!!

[@MadetoSew]

Glad I could help. 😊

[@garybaldwin5241]

Thank you so much Aneka. The pattern I’ve been working with is a Simplicity. I notice your pattern for instruction is Vogue. It does look much different than mine but your way of teaching made the two comparable. Bless you for your sharing of knowledge.

[@MadetoSew]

Thanks Gary, glad it helped and you were able to understand the slight differences. It would have been good if I had a variety of brands but these weren't even my patterns. I actually gave all my patterns away when I left the UK as I never used them; I draft all my own patterns. So I went and bought some of these for this tutorial, and borrowed other off a friend. Glad it made sense. ❤️

[@darziyaana]

Thank you for this Aneka! I've learnt so much from this video as I've recently started sewing and been collecting (hoarding? :D) patterns. When I first started sewing, my first project was the Copen top, and as daunting as it was when I think about it now (facing, invisible zipper, setting in sleeves, whew!), I couldn't help but think that that was what made me a confident sewist :) I follow all your videos with diligence, and can't thank you enough for your clear and concise explanations!

[@MadetoSew]

This is such wonderful feedback, thank you so much.

[@hlumelabongobi3933]

This was so awesome. Clear and easy to understand. Thank you so 👏

[@MadetoSew]

You're so welcome!

[@teresamurray9012]

Thank you so much! I’ve been looking for this information and you made it very easy to understand 😁

[@MadetoSew]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SimplyDelilah]

i have been sewing for years and didn't even know half of this!

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you. Glad I could help. ❤️

[@vonmjau]

Thank goodness you said that because I’m a super beginner and although this was great information, it was a little overwhelming

[@fatimaholt2181]

Thank you for this video! So helpful ☺️

[@MadetoSew]

Glad it helped.

[@kimhandy1861]

Excellent info! I didn't know that I should be cutting off the lines on the pattern pieces. Wow... that may be the reason my garments come out a little big. Thanks so much! Love your tutorials 💕

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful!

[@conqueringmountscrapmorewi2509]

Another great tutorial. Thank you for sharing!

[@MadetoSew]

You are so welcome!

[@rowenacruz5279]

Thank you for explaining them clearly.

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you.

[@CraftyLoops]

Absolutely fantastic video. Thank you so much for taking the time to share this. I'm useless with patterns but this video is definitely made me a bit more confident. Lee x

[@MadetoSew]

So pleased I could help Lee. Aneka x

[@shonafox9264]

Omg I wish this existed when I started sewing! I didn’t even know to check if it was the right size 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@somebodyelse138]

If only. If this had been available when I was a teenager I'd have had no trouble learning to sew. Thankfully, Aneka was one of the first people I came across when I took up dressmaking in June of last year and I've learned so much from her that I'm happy to carry on making my own clothes because I know that even if I'll never match a single size on a commercial pattern, I've got the skills required to adjust to fit. Even if the pattern itself tries to scare one out of grading between the sizes.

[@MadetoSew]

@Shona Fox I'm so pleased that you have found it helpful.

[@MadetoSew]

@Somebody Else Thank you for your kind words. I'm so pleased that you have the confidence and skills to enjoy sewing and creating garments to fit😊

[@somebodyelse138]

@@MadetoSew And thank you for the time and effort you put into making these videos available to us. I certainly appreciate them. I'm a bit miffed I didn't start sewing 'til you moved to Australia, 'cos I'd have liked the opportunity to attend a workshop or two with you. Post lockdown, of course.

[@MadetoSew]

@@somebodyelse138 I presume you are in the UK? I will be back at some point and will of course run some classes. Just not sure when as the borders are currently closed here in Australia, so I might struggle to get back in? Not sure if it will be this year, but I do hope next year. ❤️

[@ThePoppykosh]

Wow this is exactly what I need! I have subscribed to your channel and am looking forward to viewing your videos on sewing 🙏🙏

[@anna-zw7ek]

I'm a beginner sewer and last week I bought my first ever pattern from an established brand from where I live. On the website, I had to select a size and the pattern I got was literally just for that size. Not surprisingly, the garment doesn't fit me very well as I have different sizes on my bust/waist/hips. This is the reason why I got interested in sewing my own clothes in the first place. Now I have this pattern and can't even grade between sizes. I feel so cheated by this company, definitely won't buy from them again ☹️ Looking forward to receiving my new pattern from Simplicity which comes in a wide range of sizes 😍

[@MadetoSew]

Oh no, I am so sorry to hear that Anna, that is so disappointing for you. They should make it clear when you are purchasing. I actually changed the size range in my pattern calling it 0,1,2,3,4,5 etc. because then people can't presume they are a certain size. Good luck with the Simplicity one. 😊

[@SaShauun]

Thank you. This was very useful.

[@MadetoSew]

Thanks

[@uvera]

Thank you so much!🙏

[@fs8193]

New sub here, new to sewing.

[@MadetoSew]

Thanks for coming

[@Farideh19]

I was wondering if have any new videos all i see are your old videoes. thanks for all you have done so far.

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you. I do plan to do some more videos. I have just moved out of my office into a new place, with my filming studio at home. Once this is set up I will do more. Aneka x

[@robina3443]

Thank you!

[@moyagreene9590]

How to you change your fabric layout? Why do you deviate from the pattern layouts suggested on the pattern? Many thanks for your excellent tutorials.

[@Jessica_azevedo7]

Que Maravilha ❤

[@user-pl4yq1oc1y]

What does "leave open for zip" on the CB pattern? It's not mentioned in the instructions. Does it mean to not baste whilst basting the rest or does it mean leave additional fabric for zipper allowance?

[@suebryant4237]

I would say it means leave un-stitched so you can insert the zip

[@MadetoSew]

I would agree with Susan, it means leave it un-stitched, not basted for the zipper to be inserted.

[@user-kq2dc7tr7c]

The patterns have more than one size to each of them. If I want to sew "two different sizes" of a certain pattern how do I cut out the sizes without ruining the pattern? I do get confused with all the different markings on the pattern with several different sizes being on each pattern.

[@pasaratovichakchaikul7640]

So cool

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you

[@leahtartuffo4214]

Hi, I am finding your videos so informative. I am a little stuck on my pattern (first time sewer) as it says to layer seam. Do you have a video regarding this?

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Leah, 'layer' the same means to trim the seam allowances to a different amount. Sometimes people will use the term 'grade' the seam allowances too. It helps to prevent the seam allowance being too bulky. I show it in this facing tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJ2pg3VjgKx8iM0 at 07:30. Basically you want to probably trim both seam allowances and then trim one more so they are a difference size. You always make the seam allowance furthest from the front of the garment (when finished and right side out) the smallest. Hope this helps! Aneka x

[@leahtartuffo4214]

@@MadetoSew thank you so much!! That makes sense :)

[@goldensizwe8856]

Where can I get that manual book plz

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Golden the book came with the pattens that I was showing. You get one with most of the big 4 pattern companies; Vogue, Butterick, McCalls etc.

[@aileenrose8455]

Thank you so much for this. I used to sew years ago but have a renewed interest. Can I ask, do you alway cut out the size you need or is there a way of folding it so you can use it again for others of different sizes or would this be too complicated?

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Charlie, I would trace out the size you want to use, or the couple of sizes if you are in between. Then you can use the pattern again. 😃

[@snugbumswallace7218]

Great tutorial. I have a pattern that shows European size new look 6866 as well as what looks like uk ready to wear size on the envelope what's the difference between the two. Can I ignore and use bust measurement

[@MadetoSew]

Hello, I wouldn't advise to choose a pattern based on the UK or European size chart. As I am sure you know you can be a UK size 14 in one shop, an 8 in the next and a 18 in the next. There isn't really a standardisation for sizing so it is always best to measure yourself (bust measurement) and check what size you are. As well as looking at finished garment measurements.

[@janep6455]

I’m currently sewing a blouse with tie ends at the waistline .. Do you have any tips for hemming the points of the tie ends .. the 5/8” hem runs from the back and sides right through to the ties at the front but when you get to the ends you run out of fabric space ??

[@MadetoSew]

Hi Jane, have you thought about reducing the seam allowance? You could make it 1cm (3/8") on the ties or even 5mm (1/4") (depending on what you are using to hem them). This might help you have enough fabric to hem at the end?

[@janep6455]

@@MadetoSew thank you for that, im fairly new to sewing so that really helps. Ill give it another go today !

[@janep6455]

thank you Kindly for Replying x

[@MadetoSew]

@@janep6455 No problem. Feel free to send me more pictures if you need more help, so I can see what's going wrong.

[@shelleycallahan3319]

What does nap mean please? I knew the phrase once before but I can't remember thank you

[@central_scrutinizr]

Nap is the term that describes any fabric where if you brush your hand over it in one direction, it looks darker, then if you brush it back in the opposite direction it gets lighter again. Think of velvet for example.

[@jwenting]

thanks for the video. Please do update the links in the description, they're no longer valid (I guess you rearranged your website).

[@MadetoSew]

Thank you so much. Yes it is on my to-do list. I put up a new website at the end of last year and made a mistake when I brought the blog posts across; so I lost them all! I have to manually add them back in, which of course takes time. I also need to update the product links. Thank you for the reminder. Aneka x

[@jwenting]

@@MadetoSew yes, that's a tedious process...

[@thibodeaux1022]

Some of the nap rows have three stars, what does that mean?

[@MadetoSew]

I believe it is only one or two stars; with or without nap. I have looked through the patterns I have here and can't find any with three stars. Can you send me a picture [e-mail]? The only thing I thought is that sometimes the stars are shown as */** meaning it is suitable for both. And the figure can be followed by the inch mark " and then starts **. So I think that could easily look like three starts "**? Please let me know, happy to help. 😊

[@snuttepinglan]

I find it frustrating that many of the big pattern producers often sell pattern in two different size ranges. Why do they do that. I don't find it as common in smallet/indie pattern designers.

[@somebodyelse138]

I think part of it is a money/cost saving issue, but another part of it is that with a large size range, the number of lines on a single pattern piece can be overwhelming and it can be very difficult to pick one size out of the dozen or more lines and points on the pattern.

[@snuttepinglan]

@@somebodyelse138 But would it not be more expensive to manage two different "versions" of the same pattern when the grading for sizes already has been done. Maybe more lines are more difficult could be one explanation, but I still would prefer that. At least it would be good to have an overlap of one to two sizes between the different sizes.

[@somebodyelse138]

@@snuttepinglan "At least it would be good to have an overlap of one to two sizes between the different sizes." In my experience there generally is an overlap of at least one size. But it may depend on which patterns one has access to.

[@MadetoSew]

I imagine that it is a printing issue, in terms of printing out all the pattern pieces and getting them in an envelope? Maybe? I feel that the big pattern companies often have more versions or options of the same pattern, compared to indies. So that means more pattern pieces... more paper. I agree with what you are saying though, it would be much easier if they came in the one packet!

[@Manoj1M]

Osmmmm

[@doctor-chiluteach.]

Do you also sell machine

[@MadetoSew]

No I don’t sorry.

[@pacochihuahua77]

I'm literally still confused😂