Understanding Basic Clothing Patterns and How to Use Them

When you start your sewing journey, it’s essential to understand basic clothing patterns and how to use them. It will make the process a lot easier.

The first step is to take accurate measurements. This will help you get the correct size for your pattern.

Sizes

Basic clothing patterns like those of Saint Laurent clothing patterns come in a range of sizes. Understanding this is essential to select the right size for your project and making accurate alterations.

First, take accurate body measurements using a flexible tape measure. Then, compare these measurements with the size chart on the back of the pattern envelope to determine which size you need.

Next, read the instructions carefully to learn how to make alterations. This will help you get a better fit and increase the chances of your garment turning out correctly.

Pay close attention to the lengthening and shortening lines when cutting out your pattern. These parallel lines, usually placed very close together, show where you can increase or decrease the pattern size to improve fit.

In addition, look for body measurement notations, such as bust and waist circumference. These aren’t on all patterns, but they’re easy to measure and give you a good idea of how large or small the finished garment will look.

You’ll also find a “finished measurement” chart on the pattern sheet that will tell you the measurements of the finished garment. These are generally larger than the body measurements for a particular size. This is due to the extra room in the garment to allow for movement. This is called ease, and every designer and company has a way of including it in their designs.

Fabric

Basic clothing patterns can be found in various fabrics, including cotton, linen, wool, silk, rayon and polycotton. They can also be bought in multiple thicknesses (called weights) to suit different garment types, like coats and jackets.

Lightweight fabrics are best for lingerie and summer clothes, while heavier materials can be used for outerwear, coats and jackets. You’ll also find a selection of heavier-weight knits in this category, such as jerseys, lycra and ribbed tweeds.

The weight of a fabric can affect its ‘nap’ and drape, which are essential aspects to consider when sewing. For example, if you’re planning to make a dress in a fabric with a nap such as velvet, the pattern pieces must be cut at a 45o angle to the selvage rather than cutting straight along the grain.

The first step in creating a basic pattern is drawing it on paper using a flat pattern drawing technique. This method involves transferring a 3D shape from muslin fabric onto the paper, highlighting areas for movement and making allowances for ease to improve comfort and fit.

Cutting

Basic clothing patterns are a valuable tool for beginners, including step-by-step instructions on cutting and sewing your garment. Many pattern pieces also have a yardage chart that will tell you how much fabric you need for your chosen size.

The first thing you need to do is select a pattern that matches the type of fabric you’ll be using so that your final garment will look its best. Most designs come with suggestions on what materials work best, so read them carefully before you buy your fabric and select the right one for your project.

Next, lay out your fabric as directed by the pattern. Pin the pieces to the material, or use pattern weights to hold them in place while you cut.

Each pattern piece should have a grainline marked. This is usually a straight arrow parallel to the c.front or c.back of the pattern, but it may vary depending on the style and fabric you’re using.

You can also mark notches on each piece, such as a zipper notch, a dart notch, armhole notches, and so on. These will help you align the components correctly when sewing and prevent wasting your fabric.

Some pattern pieces are marked to be cut on the fold, meaning they should be folded right sides together before cutting them out. This saves you time and allows you to cut a more accurate and symmetrical piece. Be careful when cutting out details on the fold because they can be challenging to line up correctly after you cut them.

Sewing

Sewing is the art of combining pieces of fabric with a needle and thread. It can be a simple task or involve complex tailoring and fitting. Whatever your level of skill, learning new sewing techniques is a great way to make your clothing more personal and unique.

Basic clothing patterns are helpful for many sewers as they provide instructions that allow a home sewer to assemble a garment in the desired size and style. They usually contain pattern pieces drawn flat that are laid out on the fabric and pinned together. These are then cut out, followed by the actual sewing of the garment.

Often these pattern pieces will have notches that help you to position the pattern pieces correctly so they can be sewn together. You will also need to check that the straight grain line on your pattern pieces runs parallel with the finished edge of the fabric, called the selvage.

Another good tip to remember is to read the instructions carefully before you begin. The instructions will give you valuable advice on which fabrics to buy, yardage requirements and how to cut your fabric.