How to Resize and Preserve a Sewing Pattern - S9235

[@lindagoesel3815]

Catherine, love love your videos. I appreciate so much your ideas. I watched your new sewing room video and was crying along with you. I have had the luxury of a sewing room since i was married but for years had to sew and take down anywhere i could, dining table etc. Even tried setting up a sewing center on a card table, 😂😂😂😂😂 bouncing betty. Im sure you know what i mean. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge. Im 80 and have been at it since about 6 or 7. Daddy found an old White Westinghouse in the trash one day. Brought it home, repaired it and that was the beginning of a new world for me. So happy happy sewing days to you in your new space.❤❤❤❤

[@vanessajones3508]

Catherine, I am glad some schools still offer sewing classes. Sewing is such an invaluable skill. I saved this video in my sewing playlist that I refer to for different techniques.

[@Melissalovesdogs333]

Catherine is not in America

[@juanitaconover8836]

WOW! You really simplified a pattern alteration down from terrifyingly overwhelming to totally doable; thank you!!

[@CatherineSews]

I'm so glad to hear that!

[@Leiannev]

Wow! That is dedication! I hope your students realize what a treasure they have in you.

[@CharlynneKovach]

I loved your great “sew along” on the pants. Would like to see more of this type video. Great teacher!

[@barbaramason7636]

I have a good tip: when using a spiked tracing wheel on tissue paper, place some heavy weight clear plastic over the tissue. The marks still show through but there is far less wear and tear on the fragile tissue. I use this method a lot if I’m using coloured tracing paper to transfer marks. Also, I find using an edge foot is very accurate for stitching in the ditch. The blade follows the ditch. Great tutorial! Wish I took sewing in high school!

[@CatherineSews]

@@barbaramason7636 Oh, do you mean you use the blind hem foot for stitching in the ditch!? I must try that!!

[@barbaramason7636]

@ The blind hem foot might work the same way since it has a blade. I really like the edge foot though. 😊

[@lynnephelps2370]

Mine is called an edge-joining foot. It has a blade in the middle where you would butt the folded or finished fabric edges up to each side and join with a wide utility or decorative stitch, like a 3-step zigzag. Makes stitch-in-the-ditch so accurate and easy!

[@RosettaPalmer-g1n]

@@CatherineSews My blind hem foot for my Janome is flat. I will see if I can find one like yours since I don't like mine very much.

[@suzannecrelley2369]

This is fantastic Catherine. So helpful to be able to change pattern sizes. Thank you so much

[@marieprescott9168]

I’ve been a seamstress for 40 years I guess and I still learn stuff from you. Thank you for your time and patience.

[@sbaumgartner9848]

You did the best job of exposing pattern resizing that I’ve heard of. Thank you.

[@marianecayer5165]

You did a video about the topic some times ago. I watch it like 6 times and try it to change the size of my thrifted pattern. Worked pretty well! Thank you to show me the way, it such an usefull tip.

[@KitchenFairy61]

This is such an informative video. I've recently lost a lot of weight and I have a lot of plus size patterns that I can now make smaller thanks to your video.

[@christie4788]

Thank you, Catherine!! I love this pattern and will keep an eye out for it on sites that sell second hand stock. I especially appreciate the detailed look at how to make this kind of waist band. The pants look terrific on you!

[@Comfort_-tg2el]

JO ANN i expensive patterns Where eI CAN check in chicago area ?

[@rachellejohnson1011]

This might be the most useful sewing video I've ever found. Thanks!

[@CatherineSews]

@@rachellejohnson1011 Thanks so much for the Super Thanks! 😊

[@Sweetnsalty-wt6cc]

I enjoy your channel and appreciate you. I learned to sew at my Junior high school and have loved sewing for decades. Sewing is such a wonderful skill for anyone who is interested. Thank you ❤

[@pambrewer9082]

Your students are lucky to have you.

[@abaigealduda2756]

I often feel very envious of them!!!

[@melissaegbertson9100]

Thanks so much for showing how to resize- you did it so clearly! I just got some vintage patterns from Stefanie Canada and can’t wait to try! ❤

[@mariesanders5663]

Catherine, love your video. I use a product used for pattern tracing called, Swedish Tracing Paper. It’s great for this and comes in reasonable rolls and reasonably priced here in the U.S. not sure about Canada. It’s paper but acts more like fabric. It’s durable for patterns, see through for tracing, foldable and even sewable if needed. I get it from Wawak Company based in NYC here in the U.S.. 😊

[@ninadukette3340]

Yes, I like that also

[@christinegraham2579]

It is a BRILLIANT product! I love it

[@sbaumgartner9848]

Is rather expensive because of our lower Cdn $.

[@vivienlee610]

I love all your videos, but I really like this one. Especially with that low-ish waistband...they look super on you & the pattern size changing tips invaluable. 🙌

[@thorpsewinglessons5913]

I have just come across your lessons, absolutely wonderful to follow you on your tuition. Not made trousers with zip and elastic in the back before. Going to have a go at this. Thank you. I wasn't aware schools still taught these valuable lessons, I know our colleges don't anymore. Used to attend evening college for sewing, no longer available. No one to teach sewing/tailoring, which is what I wanted to do. I will Keep looking for you to learn skills. Thank you.🇬🇧✝️💐

[@slee6799]

Catherine, I just love your channel! Thank you for all that you do for your students and the sewing community, teaching us the life skill and lost art of sewing garments! Do you have a video for sizing up a cut pattern? I am sure there are videos out there, but yours are the best!

[@davederrick9431]

I love Catherine's videos, I've been sewing 47 years and I always learn new thing.

[@KitchenFairy61]

She showed how to make a pattern bigger in the video. It is the same principle as she showed to make smaller sizes, only in the opposite direction. I hope this helps.

[@gadgetgirl02]

🤔 this is fascinating. Wherever I've seen people demonstrating resizing before, they do it one size at a time, redrawing after every resize. I've always wondered why you couldn't just apply geometry. Seems like you can!

[@CopperHueCollectionsChippewa]

I’ve always taken clear packing tape along all of my lines so that whenever I’m using a tracing wheel, it preserves it. I’ve literally done this for 30 years and I still have the some of those same patterns from back then.

[@debbiecampbell3260]

Hi Catherine, I just want to thank you for all the inspiration!! I went thrifting, and found a Whitehouse Black Market dress. Of course the top was too small, and the waist was a little snug, I gathered my nerves, and altered it! It’s now a pretty little skirt! It was also my first time putting in a zipper. I am now addicted! I need to go thrifting for more clothes that don’t fit!!! ❤

[@susandecourcy2547]

Thanks so much for this! I inherited some beautiful vintage patterns that are not quite my size. I had never considered extrapolating from the printed range, but now I’m excited to try.

[@juliec4750]

Catherine, I really look forward to and enjoy all of your videos. With this one, though, it might have been better to have not had the gridded cutting mat underneath while you were drawing the lines to re-size, because the grid beneath made it sort of hard to see. BTW, were you taught how to do this, or did you figure all of that out?? Impressive skills! You are a marvelous teacher and so likable and easy to understand. Your students are so lucky to have you!

[@lindap9079]

What a valuable lesson. Thank you Catherine. I often thrift my patterns. Until now I've been limited to purchasing only styles that I find in my size. From now on I'll be able to buy any pattern I like.

[@debinnashville2009]

And the pants look great on you. I bought a sweater and pair of pants in a weird purple shade, on clearance. They both fit great. Then I saw a matching tank top that was not in my size, so I bought the 4X. Now I need to take it up to fit me. I bought it because it was a perfect color match. I plan to put it on inside out and then pin the sides like you have shown us. Many thanks for being a great teacher.

[@abaigealduda2756]

This was such an incredible video! Catherine, thank you very much for all the time it took for you to make this. I learned so much! About a year ago, I saw this very cute vintage pattern for sale online, but the size range was too small for me. Your instructions here are very clear, and I feel confident that I would tackle resizing a pattern thanks to you. I looked on your channel to see if there is an option to "buy you a cup of coffee" or to become a member for a monthly fee. If you decided to provide those opportunities, I would be honored to contribute something for the amount of work that you put into your videos and for the value that I get from watching them.

[@alisadiez1954]

Hi Catheine, I watch your videos on my tv so I usually don't comment. I just love your videos for upcycling and I ordered a babylon bag after you featured yours. I love it. Thank you so much for your fantastic content. I love to sew and upcycle so you are a huge inspiration. Thank You, Thank You!!

[@gerdiemyburgh8726]

By the way I love your videos I am from South Africa I do not miss your videos. Than you

[@rnicholson4135]

Lots of useful and timely information, thanks! And the pants look lovely on you!! Although when sewing I think in imperial as my brain was well and truly hardwired by the time my country switched to metric. However, I would definitely be using metric for pattern grading; watching you doing it in imperial made my head hurt!

[@CatherineSews]

@@rnicholson4135 I really should do both when I film a video, but that makes my head hurt, lol. 😆

[@petralinde1640]

Eye opening❤! Thank you so much for this lesson. This will help me immensely in the future. Ich love your videos and your calm and soothing voice. Many greetings from the Black Forest in Germany!

[@amarisjoseph]

Chatherine you inspire me more and more and im starting to think i should teach sewing classes because of u

[@CatherineSews]

@@amarisjoseph Yes! Teaching sewing is a joy, and if you have the skills it’s wonderful to share them!

[@deb.m.7458]

Thank you for showing us how to use the blind hem foot! I learned sone great techniques. Too bad the pattern is no longer available. Hope you do another sew along.

[@deniselauffer8577]

Beautiful pair of pants Catherine🎉 Thank you for all the insight to pattern sizing, I have really missed that one😂 Always love your channel❤❤❤

[@dorothydishman4664]

Fabulous tute. Thanks gor sharing your knowledge.😊

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

That was a very nice video. I’m saving it for future reference! Wish I’d had all this info in the 90’s when I was doing a lot of traces and modifications to patterns for the kids.

[@sandychilese2893]

Hi Catherine. There are several copies available on Etsy. Love the class!

[@gaylekanak9269]

Great video! I learned so much. Thank you

[@doudou53d44]

Looove the pants !!!!

[@deannareames1396]

Enjoyed this video. Your voice is relaxing to listen to too.

[@abaigealduda2756]

I completely agree with you!!!

[@jamieomahen2656]

Those look like great pants to travel!

[@MimiRouth-t4d]

Really inspiring! Thank you!

[@terriellenhenninger7938]

Saved this video! Love your channel!

[@cindytalbot2028]

I live in Illinois and just googled that pattern number. Two Etsy shops have it for $6.95 and a Walmart in Naperville, Il have on their website of about 10.00. And in the smaller sizes. I don't how this would work for you in Canada.

[@cmiller974]

Catherine!!! I found this pattern on EBAY!!! Size 6-14!!! There was one more listed if you want it!

[@Sewlady718]

As always, another great video. I've wanted to learn how to do this technique and you explain everything so completely. By the way, I found the pattern on Etsy and Walmart. Thanks for your generous spirit. We appreciate it very much.

[@deidrabenson361]

Thanks sooo very much for sharing this video, a lot of information!!❤️❤️❤️

[@elainelear4982]

Thank you for all the good information.

[@mjdevorick8404]

Great pants!

[@davederrick9431]

Funny you mention metric system. Originally I was taught imperial measurements which changed in the late 1960s in Australian. My sewing has always been in metric, until COVID happened when I started quilting. Now I use both system when I sew clothes as sometimes I find the maths are easiest & quicker.

[@alanmarsh5834]

I wished I had this at school sewing was my favourite thing

[@carmensalome]

Excellent video

[@helenv2906]

Great informations, I was able to resize a pattern that was vintage and has whish it was bigger but now can have it my size! Im so happy. I was wondering if you have a video or do something for knits. I quite new with knits and having a hard time to pick my size and the knits that would go with this, If you have a online course that you offer, I would love to take it since I don't know how to gain the knowledge require to master the fabric and pattern. Thank you!

[@janed6411]

Grateful for your expertise

[@carolpatrick3567]

this was a great explanation to grade a pattern , I will definitely share with my sewing friends. You may want to stress to your students that the rabbit hole punch is for paper only. I put the smaller pattern pieces in a ziplock bag to hang on the pattern hooks and thought I would punch a hole in the plastic. big mistake! fixable but not recommended. your students are so lucky to have you.

[@CatherineSews]

@@carolpatrick3567 Very good to know! One of my students just asked me about using it on leather and I was tempted to try!

[@judyhansen6237]

Those came out awesome!❤ where do you normally shop for fabrics?

[@wendyd1229]

This is the most informative tutorial I’ve watched. As a new sewist I’ve watched plenty!🩷

[@theresaanndiaz3179]

I just bought a 250 foot roll of landscaping cardboard for around $30 USD at Home Depot and I'm thinking of saving some to use in my sewing room it's pretty similar in weight to manila not really cardboard or even cereal box weight. I have a bolt of pattern tracing paper that I got on a big sale ( it's marked into one inch squares) which is great for scaling up graphed patterns but not great for permanent patterns.

[@annebeck2208]

Most places you can get kraft / brown paper like for mailing...that works well & is cheap. I wish I had some old 1940's -50's side zip pants...best flat from fit ever!!! Even with a Mom tummy a panel in them & flat as can be!

[@cheryl3366]

Another place to look for heavy paper look at the hardware big box. They use paper rolls for painting drops. Other places in the store might have different weights of paper.

[@solarwinds-]

I love it. Thank you so much But what if you have a pattern with only one size?

[@kristyreal]

Most newspapers will sell end rolls of blank newsprint for about $5. It's too little to use in the press, but still tons of paper on the roll. You may have to order it if they don't print on the premises.

[@bcase5328]

As a video subject idea, would you cover how to press as you sew?

[@virginiakasselman5953]

Hi Catherine! When you hang your pattern pieces do you attach the original pattern envelope? If nor how do you organize your patterns to know what they are? I love those pattern hangers you show and will purchase some Thanks👍 Virginia in Arkansas 🤗🧵🪡

[@barbaraferron7994]

You could put the word out, asking previous students who saved their patterns to allow you to borrow for copying if they are a size you don't have. Or even to check the patterns you made against to check your accuracy. I am 71 my junior high sewing teacher is in my sisters sewing club. (My sister is 83, I live too far away to attend the group)

[@Comfort_-tg2el]

I upcycle any dress but i can make ot if it is cut my mother and sister use to cut dresses for me when I saw your channel I started up cycycle from my wordrobe I can alter pants and also make it long or small I stitch 15 min per week ,four days per week only when kids are in school that is all I have time I have three concern if you can help 1.How do you know what to be changed some times you are just sawing it need an inch under arm,or neeed to be small so it can be tuck in how do you determine that 2.I have long dress which is two inches long but also ir is plus size which is my mom dresses and I want to make it my size do you ripe it all because I saw you just cyt on sides 3,If I had to put some thing on sweater like rope or embridory what should i use thank you

[@omololababarinde5499]

Catherine, please can i get a link to the transparent paper you marked different sizes?

[@CatherineSews]

@@omololababarinde5499 That was just the pattern itself.

[@snaps2758]

catherine have you made a man’s or woman’s suit? The whole shabang?

[@laquitaine0198]

Catherine, I don’t see your link to the hard paper on Amazon. Thank you!

[@CatherineSews]

Whoops, you're right! I've added it now. Thanks for reminding me!

[@susanharber6488]

So now I am thinking I NEED this pattern and you say it is discontinued!? 😅

[@helenwood3199]

Does it matter if some of your original pattern pieces are face up to trace and others are face down? Do you dislike using tracing paper under your star wheel?

[@CatherineSews]

@@helenwood3199 Hi Helen, no, it doesn’t matter which way your pieces are facing. And I don’t often need to use tracing paper. I don’t dislike it, I just don’t often use it.

[@thereselewis5843]

Years ago, the notches were cut to the outside in the seam allowance, the patterns also showed the notches on the inside of the pattern. I don't understand why that changed.

[@amyosborn4604]

Perfect timing!!! I was struggling with this on a simple darn top pattern just yesterday and gave up before investing any more time. The overlapping curves were stumping me. Thank you!!!

[@carolcarter865]

❤❤❤

[@sabinerosais1231]

❤❤

[@michelleskotynsky9426]

I tried a blind hem, but without a blind hem foot. It was okay, but I think I came up too far into the pants. I had a ditch. Which I then pressed into my pant leg, like an eejit!! 😂

[@gerdiemyburgh8726]

Hi Catherine there is on ebay a Simplicity 9235 size 6-14 if you interested

[@RosettaPalmer-g1n]

Why don’t you use a roll of aisle Runner that is used for weddings?

[@helenwood3199]

How does the cost compare to, for example, exam room paper?

[@RosettaPalmer-g1n]

@@helenwood3199 I have never bought exam paper so I don't know. But the aisle runner is durable and soft. I have used my daughter's (married 25 yrs ago) for curtains for my sun porch (no hemming required) and to make patterns. They fold up almost as small as the tissue patterns.

[@RosettaPalmer-g1n]

It is called damask wedding aisle runner. It is 3ft by 100 ft and costs $10 at hobby lobby. May be available at Joann.

[@Mrs.Patriot]

I've heard of people transferring their patterns to pellon 830. Has anyone tried that?

[@GlenysWilliams-wy2hj]

Also simplicity R 10941

[@helenwood3199]

Instead of cutting a diamond shaped hole, just cut a small X. That would allow room to hang on a nail, a cup hook, or a command hook.

[@AnniCarlsson]

Me changed the pattern on my promdress me did in textile in highschool. Yes my teacher ahowed how to but that "insert your choise of worf for vad teacher" she used for give me lower grades becouse I needed so much guidence to conplete my dress. She told me how to do it and me did it myself. Still grumpy about it and it's was 1997 I had my prom. Also my sister must have lended my dress out becouse found it have sweat stains and hem changed when looked it it last year. It took 8 hours to hem it. By hand with take 1 thread at the time so was not visable.

[@bcmagnolia1170]

You could've got that pattern off eBay for 10 bucks. they have everything.😂❤

[@vernieplummer5148]

This sounds a bit like an intellectual property problem. I know that when I was in high school the music teacher would always tell us that she does not copy the music on the copy machine because that’s intellectual property. How is this different? I suppose if the pattern is rather old, the copyright might’ve expired. Also, if they had discontinued the pattern, maybe they were not interested in it anymore and discontinued the copyright for that reason. I guess bottom line I’m just wondering if this is legal. I know you are a person with great personal integrity and I’m not questioning that, and you would not do something like that on purpose, but are you sure about the status of that intellectual property?

[@angelbear_og]

If you have purchased something you can make a copy for your own use.

[@cvgsunset5844]

Hi! The fashion industry doesn’t have the same intellectual property limitations and protections as other fields, like music. Apparel designs were deemed by courts a long time ago to be too utilitarian/necessary to everyday life to be “owned” by one specific person or company. Companies can trademark their logos, and those cannot be replicated by other companies, but they cannot copyright the clothing designs themselves- that’s how you see every (mostly fast) fashion brand under the sun coming out with their version of a given trendy item and they’re all often indistinguishable from each other. I hope that makes sense!

[@abaigealduda2756]

@@cvgsunset5844 Very interesting - thanks for your remarks!!!

[@vernieplummer5148]

@ thanks for the info. I thought the fast fashion brands were just frankly stealing and they were all in foreign countries or weaseling out of it in some way or another, and nobody could get to them. I didn’t realize that level of robbery could be perfectly legal. Luckily with fashion people can tell by the level of excellence in materials and workmanship if something is made well or not. It’s just a shame that people get charged these high prices for absolute garbage, but I guess that’s the cost of shopping on the Internet.

[@vernieplummer5148]

@ she is using it to pass out in multiples. Somebody else said that they don’t have the same laws in fashion as they do in other intellectual property areas, however.

[@TCREGAN1]

Freezer Paper is cheap!