Thrifting for patterns, dress fabric shopping, and project prep!

[@JoletteRoodt]

"Every pattern is just a starting point" 🙌🏻 I love this approach.

[@anna7118]

I love shopping at the St Vinnie’s stores around me for patterns! I help with a 4-H sewing club so I’m always on the lookout for the beginners.

[@tammymasson2343]

I appreciate viewing the thinking process before starting a project.

[@Suid-Afrika67]

Got the notification, "Pattern Scout" uploaded a video. Excitement! Can't wait to see what you decide to make!

[@PatternScout]

Haha thanks!! :)

[@cathleenvance4441]

Well, I just really liked this video. I know I've said how uninspiring my JoAnn fabrics is here in NC. I even spoke to the manager about the fabric choices and he told me that corporate is the one that decides what types of fabrics are chosen for each store...who knew...we must have a hundred million quilters here I suspect, hence, gazillion quilting fabrics in the store. Anyway, love your fabrics you chose. I'm sure your dress is going to be amazing.

[@PatternScout]

It's such a toss up and I often wonder why they don't have more rayon prints. This jacquard poly satin is really pretty and soft (and hopefully somewhat breathable since it is a little sheer). I think it will make a really pretty dress! And the reality is, even if I bought a RTW dress, it would probably also be poly! That stuff is everywhere!

[@patriciabentley3782]

Looking forward to seeing the next video, that's a lovely pattern. I have that McCalls pattern you showed, I made it in a navy jacquard stretch. Took about 2 hours to make. Looks great, I had so many compliments. I highly recommend it.

[@yvettefeyjoo-booth2670]

I really like the New Pattern for your upcoming event. You have already created a garment from it and you have alot of options with that pattern and able to cut on the bias. Then again anything you create comes out looking fabulous lol! Good luck with your decision I’m sure whatever you decide will be great! 👏🏼

[@PatternScout]

Haha thanks for the vote of confidence! I am leanng heavily toward that one. I love the fit and know what to expect!

[@Beth_Ann_K]

Great vintage patterns. I vote for the KISS-method on the dress for the wedding. No disrespect using that acronym, assuming you know what the last “S” stands for 😅. You just never know, something could always come up in the week ahead of the wedding, so take it easy on yourself. Next to the bride, you’ll still be wearing the best dress at the wedding with you design talents!

[@PatternScout]

Haha exactly! I think simple will be best to let the jacquard pattern on the fabric shine, too :)

[@TaiNatsu]

It baffles me the range of poly fabrics I find. I live in Brazil and its always crazy hot. It would make sense to have more natural fiber fabric available, but no. Unfortunately

[@PatternScout]

I feel the same! For most nicer fabrics, I have to buy them online. So hard to find in stores around here.

[@elainemarielaswell4957]

I try to avoid polyester fabrics as well. 😊

[@lynnries7729]

Me too! Actually, now that I'm post menopause, I find that any synthetic fabrics cause me to over heat...especially polyester and spandex. Very annoying.

[@elainemarielaswell4957]

V I'm currently dealing with menopause and want fabrics that keep me cool - i.e. rayon, cotton lawn etc. I can't wear corduroy anymore especially near my waist as I'll get too sweaty. 🥺😢🤕

[@sewingseamswithdeb]

I am so much like you in that I have so many project ideas that I find it hard to decide which one I will make. Choices choices. Love the colour of the satin you chose ❤

[@PatternScout]

SO many choices!! :) I'm very excited about the color, it is really pretty in person, too!

[@vernabohnert635]

The dress you modeled that you wore in Spain is beautiful!

[@cleanqueen75]

The only thrift store I know of is Goodwill. They never have fabric or patterns. I buy a lot of fabric from Califabrics and I’m a member of Vogues fabrics swatch club. Great fabrics and prices!

[@PatternScout]

I love both Cali Fabrics and Vogue! I have found some great fabrics from both! I usually strike out at some of the other thrift stores for patterns...but that one always has them. Such a treasure hunt!

[@cleanqueen75]

@@PatternScout my Joann doesn’t get new fabric in often. Even with a coupon they are still more expensive than Vogue and Califabrics. I don’t think Joanns quality is as good either.

[@kathygann7632]

Joann’s previous name was Discount Fabrics. When they bought out Fabricland, they stopped stocking all quality fabrics. No nice wool or silk, and almost no linen.

[@PatternScout]

I did not know that! Yeah, you can definitely get some deals, but I find they are limited in colors and nicer fibers (But pretty great for knits!).

[@Sew_Learning]

Oh so exciting to see what you decided on. Love the patterns you make and your style! Totally agree with you re polyester fabric. Summer is so hot here in my part of Australia that it’s just too hot to wear polyester. Maybe nylon for swimwear through no choice. Sending best wishes from Down 💖🌷🌹🌻🌼🌺🌸💐🇦🇺😎

[@PatternScout]

I'm hoping that the navy jacquard will be breathable since it is a little bit sheer for that very reason! Getting very excited about the dress, i think the jacquard will really shine!

[@pmclaughlin4111]

For me its less about fitting to my body but giving myself permission to have weirdly shaped pattern pieces and then it's about getting something fitted and changing materials and the whole thing hangs totally differently

[@gabbyraja]

Holy cow! I just started watching your videos. I heard you say the St Vincent's in Lansing and I was like, "Is there...another Lansing in another state?" No! You live in my very own city! Wow. I've never watched a youtuber from MI, even. I hit thrift stores in the area all the time! The Salvation Army in Brighton is kinda nice, but I avoid the crappy Goodwills in the area like the plague. Overpriced and separately owned, they don't follow any of the goodwill standards. But the VoA on Cedar always has great finds.

[@PatternScout]

Awesome! I will have to check out the one in Brighton next time I am over that way! I don't get to the one on Cedar as much, but also like that one! The Goodwill here is also kind of a let-down for me. I just don't have much luck there! Thanks for watching and sharing! :)

[@Nalanzazu]

Please do a slip skirt tutorial! Ive had some beautiful green silk in my stash that ive had for years which I even inherited from my mom who also couldnt bring herself to cut it 😅

[@rachelperez9257]

I always have several projects 'started' but its hard to keep track of them and even harder trying to stop myself from starting more.. how do you juggle multiple projects simultaneously?

[@cynoglav9665]

If your dryer struggles with drying things, make sure your lint traps are cleaned! Dryers I find struggle a lot when they're not clean. It's a pain in the butt but our dryer works so much better now!

[@PatternScout]

Oh yeah, I'm a freak about cleaning out the lint. It's actually something weird with the venting to the outside (we're in an apt and we've had people out three times to look at it and they can't find where it's venting 😑 the vent tube route is apparently a total mystery bc of our apt layout)...so I just don't use it much for fear of starting a fire!

[@cynoglav9665]

@@PatternScout ah, that sucks :( glad you had it checked out at least! For what it's worth it'll save you a bit in electricity and let your clothes live a bit longer

[@Angie29449]

Loved this video. Do you ever have problems with pattern pieces being missing when you buy patterns that were used prior?

[@catherineb6565]

Happened to me once - really lovely mandarin collared style outerwear coat - had the fabric prepped, laid out, read the instructions, ironed all the pieces and THEN realized missing a whole sheet. :(

[@PatternScout]

I haven't had it happen...yet! haha. So far I've been lucky. But the patterns are so cheap, I'm willing to take the risk. But always good to check before buying fabric! :)

[@Angie29449]

@@catherineb6565 😟

[@francehoude2246]

Hi Casey, I'd like to learn how to work on Adobe Illustrator, and I am wandering if you are giving a course online, for this?

[@PatternScout]

Yes I do, actually! It's on a site called skillshare here: skl.sh/3WkyGxf (I also have a video here on KZbin where I show how I like to grade my patterns in illustrator: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKbQYZxriLyDnq8si=iKziMx5okSpP0MvG) Hope that helps! :)

[@helenwood3199]

Careful when buying thrift store patterns...some pieces may be missing. Ask me how I know.😢

[@cheryl3366]

Yes and they may already be cut out in the smaller size. 😢, but usually the pattern is really cheap.

[@busysewingbee3819]

Hi! What’s the small book that you had with pattern pictures in it? Thanks 😊

[@PatternScout]

That is the Lutterloh Patternmaking kit, I love it! :)

[@lynmcnorton9627]

Can I ask you why you wash the fabric before sewing 🧵 🤩

[@Toni_Snark]

I like to wash mine because of any remaining shrinkage that may occur, anything left from the manufacturing process and because it's probably already been handled by several people.

[@denisedorsey2889]

Any dye transfer is dealt with as well.

[@kaygee8343]

Not a rep of any of these fabric stores, but just letting you know that they exist: 1. Haberman Fabrics in Clawson, MI. Probably the best brick and mortar fabric store in MI. 2. Fields Fabrics. They have several locations in the Grand Rapids area. 3. Fabrications in Richland MI. Janet Dapson is the owner, she's been in business for a long time and is also a Certified Palmer and Plestch instructor. 4. This is an online fabric vendor based in MI, their fabrics are more high quality/ higher priced, in the order of Mood: Beautiful Textiles.

[@PatternScout]

Thanks for sharing! I've been to the first two and try to get to them when I can make the drive from Lansing (if you know the roads here, you know why I don't go more often haha)! Hadn't heard of the other two! Will have to check those out!

[@kaygee8343]

@@PatternScout Come to think of it, Fabrications has an online store. I've purchased from both, Janets' goods are ok, Beautiful Textiles are really good. And, although this isn't a MI based fabric vendor, Fabric Mart (online and brick and mortar) in Pa has not only good fabrics, but also good deals. And one can return things to that store. Definitely know what you mean about those roads.

[@PatternScout]

@@kaygee8343 these are great recs, thank you so much!

[@johannechampagne7332]

You’re so lucky. In Montreal we have nothing but Fabricville and the selection says “someone with not taste does the buying here”.

[@helenwood3199]

How do you know the amount of fabric to buy if you have not chosen the pattern yet?

[@Toni_Snark]

I do this a lot- If I know I'm making pants, I'll get 1 1/2 yds, if a dress and you know the length and whether or not you have sleeves, you can guesstimate about 2 1/2 to 3 yards. More if cut on the bias. It's always better to get too much than too little. ☺

[@ST-wo3uw]

Your insanely gorgeous teal dress that you wore to Spain wedding NEEDS to be worn and shown off!! Why not wear that to the upcoming wedding and save yourself some stress!? And then show us the slip dress as your time allows! I adore your videos BTW! 💕

[@PatternScout]

But I just wanna make a new one! 😂 I do love that green dress, too!

[@ST-wo3uw]

Lol, I get it! 😂

[@barbarameeker7986]

Hi there, I’m wondering if you could help me figure out what size I would need in your patterns. I’m trying to learn to make my own but it’s slow going. I love your work and patterns. My problem is either narrow shoulders or bust adjustment? I’d be glad to share measurements if you have a minute to help me out thanks.

[@PatternScout]

Hi Barbara--be sure to check the size charts linked on the pattern listings on my website: patternscoutstudio.com/collections/pdf-patterns. There are detailed measurement guides on the size charts to help you choose the right size and guidance on how/where to measure. If you still need help, please send me an email at [e-mail] :)

[@HandyHandwork]

hello, this is gloria from Hong Kong, i love the pattern that finding in st vincent de paul, may i know the address? cause my friend is in US now, i hope he can help me to buy, thank you

[@joonmade]

Really pretty fabric choices (esp. that baked clay colour) ~ can't wait to see your dress! Thank you for showing the viscose satin -- I feel the same as you about the polyester, but so often it feels like the only option for shiny & luxurious, unless you have the budget (& fearlessness!) for silk. I had no idea there was even such a thing as viscose satin! Definitely going to keep that in mind for the holiday season!

[@PatternScout]

Thanks, Paula Jean! I was SO CLOSE to having that viscose satin rushed to me (my first time seeing that fabric type!)...but I decided to wait until I had the time to take my time with it for a different project. It really looks so, so pretty!

[@joannecarroll5504]

I just can't buy polyester anymore, not since I realised it's just plastic like PET bottles & it lasts FOREVER. We sewers are supposed to be among the smart ones, making clever choices for the future of the planet. The big fabric stores here in Australia are equally as bad, stocking close to 99% polyester, so I now look a lot harder at how I shop, what it's made from & who makes it. I buy so much less now & repair much more. I shop less at the big stores now, in favour of many smaller stores who buy unused designer experimental stock that would've previously gone to landfill - if a designer didn't like a dye batch or a particular print etc. It's pretty cool to get high quality, designer grade fabrics for a fraction of the retail cost (I often get $30-$40p/m Liberty prints for $8-$12p/m) & it feels better to know that your sewing isn't contributing towards the 100,000 sea creatures killed each year by plastic waste. I understand budgetary constraints & poverty; I live it - there are all sorts of ways to get cheap fabrics that don't kill or damage the ecosystem. We, the Human Race, really need to learn to turn off 'the Want Monster' ruling us. To start looking at how much of what we do is about 'wants' as opposed to 'needs' & what is really important. I just couldn't justify to the children that I "needed" yet another dress, but why the lives of all those animals weren't worth spending another $5 or so to get a fabric that's biodegradable & won't kill anyone. Or why I won't just do without & wear something I already have. I could still be creative while 'tarting-up' an older dress, after all, couldn't I?