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From: momofangels4
Date: 01-22-2005, 09:42 AM (1 of 16)
 Hi I'm new here but not new to sewing, I have been sewing since I was 9 and always done it by hand , now my mother in law bought me a sewing machine for Christmas and I don't know how to read patterns!! I know I know ( ha ha ha ha ) I kinda laughed to when I opened one up and seen it! I really want to starting sewing little sun dresses for my little one( among making other things ) for summer but don't know how to read them! So if someone could help me out here that would be great. I could use all the help I could get!  Thank you so much, Heather 
Loving & devoted wife and mother
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User: momofangels4
Member since: 01-22-2005 Total posts: 13 
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From: toadusew
Date: 01-22-2005, 09:51 AM (2 of 16)
| When I taught beginning sewing, one of the things that occurred to me is that most women don't know how to read patterns, so don't feel bad. Does it overwhelm you or do you find the instructions aren't clear? Personally, I prefer McCall's patterns because, in my opinion, they have the best illustrations, and those pictures can go a long way in helping you understand the directions. Simplicity is also ok, but if you are more or less a beginner, I would steer clear of Butterick and Vogue for a while. |
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: squiremouse
Date: 01-22-2005, 09:52 AM (3 of 16)
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First off, what pattern are you using? If you have a vogue, pick something else for a first project. Even though You know how to sew I've always found vogue's patterns overwhelming to read. Check the pattern for the view you are going to use and either cut out or trace the correct size. (tracing preserves the patterns especially if you are going to sew one outfit many times) You can use tissue paper from christmas for tracing children's pattern pieces, they generally fit. Chrck the pattern layout and cut the pieces out of fabric. Then read each step and sew as directed. Since you have been sewing so long it shouldn't be a problem just make sure your first project is something very easy (A-line jumper, Pinafore type dress, pair of shorts, etc) and out of cheap fabric so if it all turns sideways you don't feel like you wasted too much money. Mia |
User: squiremouse
Member since: 01-21-2005 Total posts: 4 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 01-22-2005, 10:05 AM (4 of 16)
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No one here will laugh at any questions ask. I have found it is better though to ask specific questions as to what you don't understand. There are specific patterns out for beginners. I would check into those they give definitions for sewing terms as they give directions so they are easier to understand also they have more illistrations to help understand what they mean. Ask anything you don't understand & someone here should be able to help.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: TammyE.H.
Date: 01-22-2005, 01:10 PM (5 of 16)
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First off, what pattern are you using? If you have a vogue, pick something else for a first project. Even though You know how to sew I've always found vogue's patterns overwhelming to read. Check the pattern for the view you are going to use and either cut out or trace the correct size. (tracing preserves the patterns especially if you are going to sew one outfit many times) You can use tissue paper from christmas for tracing children's pattern pieces, they generally fit. Chrck the pattern layout and cut the pieces out of fabric. Then read each step and sew as directed. Since you have been sewing so long it shouldn't be a problem just make sure your first project is something very easy (A-line jumper, Pinafore type dress, pair of shorts, etc) and out of cheap fabric so if it all turns sideways you don't feel like you wasted too much money. Mia Mia makes a good point. When I first started I was overwhelmed too. But taking ONE STEP, reading it through, looking up the terminology, understanding it, THEN doing it, before moving on to the next, is the method that really helped me. Tammy |
User: TammyE.H.
Member since: 08-28-2004 Total posts: 51 
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From: momofangels4
Date: 01-23-2005, 09:30 AM (6 of 16)
wow everyone is sew nice here. I really like this site alot. Ya thats some trouble I'm having is understanding the "sewing terms". I don't understand the big words, like understitching or staystitching?? I don't have a clue? Where can I go to look up these terms and understand them better? Toadusew was a great help she emailed me and bless her heart she tried explaining it too me but I still didn't understand!! Thats the duh in me ....lol lol lol...  I really want to sew so badly I really enjoy sewing and the few things that I have sewn on my machine got me hooked  ... So now I want more sewing projects!!Thanks everyone, Heather
Loving & devoted wife and mother
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User: momofangels4
Member since: 01-22-2005 Total posts: 13
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From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 01-23-2005, 10:07 AM (7 of 16)
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The pattern should have a glossary to explain these things, but if it doesn't, here's a site with a list: http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/Sewing_Room/Useful-sewing-terms.htm P.S. No one is laughing at you...we've all been there. photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495 
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From: TammyE.H.
Date: 01-23-2005, 10:16 AM (8 of 16)
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Here, try this. If you don't mind the popups... http://sewing.about.com/od/definitionsandglossary/ Tammy |
User: TammyE.H.
Member since: 08-28-2004 Total posts: 51
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From: mommydionne
Date: 01-23-2005, 10:17 AM (9 of 16)
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If you feel like getting a book... check out the library (or amazon etc) for "Simply the Best Sewing Book" by Simplicity, it walks you through how to read a pattern, lay it out and keeps going, it is a great reference for a beginner sewer (or Sewist.. if you are into the HGTV type shows ). the step by step approach is really helpful, I agree with avoiding vogue at the start, except for the Sandra Betzina patterns their instructions are rather cryptic and I ignore them almost completely now except for sewing order. The designs are great though so I can't give them up  Don't give up, soon you'll be sailing through as addicted like the rest of us!! Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: toadusew
Date: 01-23-2005, 10:29 AM (10 of 16)
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Heather, You've been given some good advice here. There are lots of books out there that can help you learn about sewing in general--the techniques and the terms as well. When I first started, all those terms overwhelmed me, too, but I kept plugging away until I got it. In my opinion, one good way to learn what those terms mean is to pick out a pattern and just do it. Sometimes, even now, I find that if I'm having trouble figuring out the directions, once I get to that part and start looking at what I've already done and then look at the patterns and the illustrations again--then I can usually figure out what they mean. For me, the illustrations are as important, if not more important, than the written directions. I am a very visual learner, so the illustrations help me a lot. Hang in there--you'll soon be sewing happily along like the rest of us.
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 01-23-2005, 10:38 AM (11 of 16)
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Vogue/Butterick Step-by-Step Guide to Sewing Techniques is another good book for explaining techniques in used in patterns by the big commercial companies. Vogue patterns never gave me a problem when I was less experienced. Just stick to easy and basic patterns to start. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-24-2005, 11:40 AM (12 of 16)
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I think you have to get a reference book .. Most of my questions occurred late at night when no one was available to answer.. I think the Simplicity book is great.. But, go to the Library and check out what they have.. look at all of them and then decide which one you cannot live without and buy that one to keep on hand at all times.. This is a vital step as far as I'm concerned..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: lilac
Date: 01-25-2005, 12:49 PM (13 of 16)
| Noone was born knowing how to sew. We all have to figure out what we are doing or remember how to do it. Just think of it as giving your brain a workout. I think you will find plenty of reference books on amazon.com. I have a couple and they would help a lot more if I weren't too lazy to read them.... Put one right next to your machine so you won't have to hunt for it and it will be a tad more usefull than mine. |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: lilac
Date: 01-25-2005, 12:53 PM (14 of 16)
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I do not consider myself an expert seamstress so I was wondering if anyone had tried the Sewing for Dummies patterns? I try to look for patterns that say easy on them because I don't like to fuss with things too much and they tend to be simple construction clothing. I love to be able to make things but I still have a life to live outside of my sewing area. |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: blanken6
Date: 02-07-2005, 02:33 AM (15 of 16)
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I am laughing (but not at you). I actually sew more or less professionally, I own my own business and still don't understand a lot of the terms they use. I am self taught and so I haven't gotten all the terms down, but I know what I am supposed to do (you probably do also, you just don't know it). I actually learn a lot of terms from an old sewing book from the 50's that my mom gave me. So don't feel bad at all, enjoy your new machine and the more you sew, the more terms you learn!
Proverbs 31:10-31
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User: blanken6
Member since: 08-11-2004 Total posts: 41 
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From: pucktricks
Date: 02-07-2005, 02:12 PM (16 of 16)
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I've used the Simplicity patterns for Dummies. They're very helpful, because they go in assuming you know nothing and explain everything to death and have lots more pictures. So I would highly recommend them for your first pattern. Ticia |
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 570 
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