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From: Ella
Date: 05-09-2005, 10:01 PM (1 of 7)
Hello I'm having a terrible time reading patterns, and I was hoping that if I scanned a few of the areas I'm having difficulty understanding, someone would be willing to look at them as an email attachment and give me some pointers? I used to sew (and even win little prizes etc. ) when I was probably 1st -4th or 5th grade, but I haven't sewn in about 15 years, and the pattern reading has been totally lost on me. I know that there are diagrams/directions, but when I look at how they lay them out, it becomes all together a confusing jumble of strangeness... Anybody? Please help so I can get to the FUN that I remember...ps I can sew random items WITHOUT using a pattern, and I know the selvage, fold areas etc. but on the patterns, I can't tell if I'm reading it correctly in regards to those things and others, and I'm afraid to use the great fabrics that I picked up, for fear of mutilation by beginner....
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User: Ella
Member since: 05-09-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-09-2005, 11:33 PM (2 of 7)
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I don't think that reading a pattern is as easy as it used to be. It seems like even the pictures are not as detailed. I'm sure that if you ask your questions on the forum you'll get help as you go.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 05-10-2005, 12:03 AM (3 of 7)
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Hi Ella, Welcome to Sew Whats New. What pattern are you asking about? If you can give us that and then ask a specfic question(s), the people on here can answer your questions. We have a very knowledgable group here. Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: Ella
Date: 05-10-2005, 12:32 AM (4 of 7)
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The pattern is Butterick 3796, it's a bag pattern and I'm working on bag # D. It shows (page 1 of 5 far right side, bottom), for pieces 19& 21, the layout for D, but before interface, or lining, it shows pieces 19 & 21 twice? On the top, it looks like they have 19 going over the edge? also, I'm confused about how they show the S/L twice on the same side as the F/P...? how are the fold and selvage on the same side...??? It also looks like the whole material is not used on the top example, but on the bottom, it's totally different..If you want a scan, let me know, it's probably much easier even if you don;t have the pattern, you'll understand it better then me if you can read a pattern. It's weird...I can't remember any of my pattern reading and it's not coming back to me..
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User: Ella
Member since: 05-09-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-10-2005, 07:46 AM (5 of 7)
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Would these two pattern pieces be pockets or straps?
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Ella
Date: 05-10-2005, 11:34 AM (6 of 7)
It's the sides and bottom? Although the strap and contrast look confusing as well. It's the drawings themselves that I can't figure out. I'm sure once I finish one, I'll understand how the patterns are generally layed out, but... 
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User: Ella
Member since: 05-09-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 05-10-2005, 01:46 PM (7 of 7)
The pattern layout pictures are only suggestions. I hardly ever follow them. I have much better vision then the pattern drawing people  , plus I hate wasting fabric. Here is what I do. Line grainline arrow lines up with the selvege edge, place on fold where needed, and make sure that I cut two when needed. As for your questions. If a pattern piece hangs over the edge it is normally on the fold. What they want you to do is cut out everything else, then unfold and cut those pieces. If it shows two pictures where the first one doesn't use all the fabric then you are supposed to cut out the pieces in the first picture, then fold the unused bit to look like the second picture and cut those pieces out. Or it is possible that you are looking at two different layouts, one for 45 width fabric and one for 60 width. The reason is shows two of your pattern pieces is probably because where it is laid out is only a single thickness of fabric and you need two of them, or you need four if it is on double thickness. Have you read through the whole pattern? Often times if you read what you are supposed to do from beginning to end you can figure out why you need to do what they are showing. Many people try to jump right in and skip over the stuff that looks boring. I tell you, you can learn a lot from reading the instructions  . Everytime I am going to make something new (or something I haven't made in awhile) I sit down and read the pattern instructions from beginning to end and looking at the layouts. Then I cut out the pattern pieces and read what is written on them making note of anything that is different from how I normally sew or do things. Then I lay out the pieces on my fabric and read the instructions again to make sure I understand what I am doing before I cut the fabric.Sorry to rant on so long. If you are still having difficulties send me a private message on this site with your e-mail and I will e-mail you back so you can send me scans of your pattern. I know this seams like a crazy way to do it but my e-mail is set for highest security so it won't let any mail though that is not on my list. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
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