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From: reyesy21
Date: 03-06-2006, 03:56 PM (1 of 24)
| I am a new beginner and would like to know which type of pattern is easier to read. Plaese give any advice!! |
User: reyesy21
Member since: 03-06-2006 Total posts: 1 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-06-2006, 04:02 PM (2 of 24)
|
McCalls has their Stitch N Save patterns. Simplicity has their It's so Easy patterns. I haven't sewn either but they are reputed to be pretty easy to use. Be sure that you buy the pattern by your body MEASURMENTS, not the off the rack size. Pattern sizes are much different from ready to wear.
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: debsews
Date: 03-06-2006, 05:28 PM (3 of 24)
|
I've used both and it seems there's always one point in a pattern that makes me pause and say "what"? but I've successfully made most of them. They aren't hard but when you're teaching yourself to sew I think most pattern companies expect some level of expertise and don't explain as well as they could. We should be giving them some feedback to get better patterns and instructions. But that said this is a wonderful place to ask those questions about how to, there's so much knowledge on this forum and they love to help. Did you have any particular pattern in mind? Are you sewing for yourself or others? I usually sew for children. |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: pucktricks
Date: 03-07-2006, 11:21 PM (4 of 24)
|
The Simplicity Dummy patterns are fairly simple. They go the extra mile in explaining what the terms mean and if I'm remembering correctly also have fairly good pictures. They have them in all sorts of things (craft, clothing, and home dec), so you could almost certainly find something for what you want to make. Ticia |
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 570 
|
From: blessedmommyuv3
Date: 03-08-2006, 08:49 AM (5 of 24)
|
I used Simplicity and McCalls most when I was first beginning to teach myself to sew. And yes, there were plenty of "say what?!" moments, but a forum like this and a good sewing reference guide really help you thru those. I've never used Kwik Sew, but they consistently get wonderful reviews as being easy. The only drawbacks are availability (you can buy them online or Hancocks I know) and price (they are a bit more expensive). One thing I would encourage you to do, is consider tracing your pattern before cutting. That way if you need to alter/adjust it at all, or cut a different size, you will have the original. This is especially helpful when they include two lengths of skirts or pants and have you use the same pattern piece. HTH! Jen |
User: blessedmommyuv3
Member since: 05-18-2004 Total posts: 263 
|
From: Kdruan
Date: 03-09-2006, 10:03 AM (6 of 24)
|
I also found that the Simplicity "Dummy" patterns were a bit easier to follow. As with any supposed easy pattern through any company each one has at one time another has at at some point given me pause as well with the directions. You'll figure it out it'll just take you moment of head scratching is all. Try the Simplicity "Dummy" ones first. They're a bit easier to follow. Kathy |
User: Kdruan
Member since: 02-24-2006 Total posts: 17 |
From: mozeyrn
Date: 03-09-2006, 10:15 AM (7 of 24)
|
Are the "Sewing for Dummies" patterns worth the extra $$ - they seem kind of expensive. Do they go on sale? The McCalls craft bunny (my current project) instructions are driving me crazy! I must have gotten a bad xerox copy - they are really hard to read. I've been looking to make these for years and am having such a hard time. 
- Maureen.
Learning something new with every stitch!! Kenmore 16231000 |
User: mozeyrn
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 349 |
From: pucktricks
Date: 03-10-2006, 09:39 AM (8 of 24)
|
The ones I've gotten have always been at the Simplicity dollar or $1.99 sales at either Joann's or Hobby Lobby or similar places. You just have to wait and be patient. If you're not willing to do so. I know that Wal-Mart always have their patterns half off. Which helps a little. Ticia |
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 570
|
From: paroper
Date: 03-10-2006, 10:04 AM (9 of 24)
|
Most stores sell their Butterick, McCalls and Simplicity patterns for half the listed price unless they are specialty patterns. They are still terribly expensive. If you watch, Joanne's, Hobby Lobby, and Hancocks will run 1 and 2 dollar sales by pattern company at pretty regular intervals.
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: Karalynn904
Date: 03-10-2006, 06:51 PM (10 of 24)
| I just ordered a kwik-sew pattern online from the hancock fabrics website. i haven't used it yet, but I looked at it...and it looks really easy. It's color coded and has really specific directions. It was like 8.99, but if you don't know how to use patterns, it might be worth buying one. For store patterns, I prefer simplicity over mcCalls. I think that McCalls is a little more difficult to understand. |
User: Karalynn904
Member since: 03-09-2006 Total posts: 11 
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From: karen v
Date: 03-15-2006, 03:22 PM (11 of 24)
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Hi. I am new to this forum, but I post regularly on other forums. There is a KwikSew Co-op. They also sell Jalie, Swedish Tracing Paper, and some other stuff. it is in Yahoo groups. I just ordered a Jalie through it and have gotten 3 rolls of STP recently. Not affilliated yada yada (NAYY) kv all art is lies that help us see the truth
|
User: karen v
Member since: 03-12-2006 Total posts: 31 |
From: misty60820
Date: 03-19-2006, 01:52 AM (12 of 24)
I am new to sewing also and I have acutally had success with Kwik sew. They are a little more expensive than most patterns but they are fairly easy to understand. Kwik sew patterns are pretty hard to find in my area. I had to drive over an hour and a half to get my patterns. They usually start out at about 8 dollars and they have patterns called kwik start and they are designed for the beginner. My local Walmart sells Simplicity, New Look and some of the Simplicity It's So Easy line. I would try your local Walmart to see if they sell them. The New Look patterns were $2.94 a piece and theSimplicity ran around the same price range also. Joann Fabrics, someone had already mentioned, every few weeks has a sale on patterns. A few weeks ago they had a sale on Simplicty and Vogue patterns for 2 and three dollars a piece. I tried the the Simplicity It's so easy patterns and had no problems at all with it. I would also recommend New Look patterns. New Look has Easy patterns and I have put together several dresses with little to no problems. 
|
User: misty60820
Member since: 11-22-2005 Total posts: 23 |
From: Kdruan
Date: 03-20-2006, 10:50 AM (13 of 24)
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Joanne's will run coupons for 40 or 50% one item as well. Usually it's 40 but every now and then they do a 50% off. Kathy |
User: Kdruan
Member since: 02-24-2006 Total posts: 17 |
From: rincaro
Date: 03-20-2006, 10:06 PM (14 of 24)
|
My very first real sewing project from a pattern was a Simplicity "For Dummies" pattern. Just a simple handbag. I just did it last night. I was confused a couple of times, but I was pretty happy with it overall. My Hobby Lobby just opened and had ALL of their Simplicity patterns for 99 cents last week. I just got a machine, so I only picked up three patterns. Man, I wish I had picked up more. |
User: rincaro
Member since: 01-27-2005 Total posts: 1 |
From: MaryW
Date: 03-21-2006, 08:23 AM (15 of 24)
|
Hi and welcome to all new members. I guess it all depends on what you are trying to sew. There are some easy lessons right on this site if you would like to take a peek. http://www.sew-whats-new.com/sewinglessons/ MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 03-21-2006, 12:04 PM (16 of 24)
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To all Newbies, Explore the home page.. There is a goldmine of information on this website.. Just take your time and click on each feature you find there as time permits.. You will be glad you did ! ! ! ! You couldn't find more help in a Library full of serwing and quilting books, as well as other subjects..! ! ! 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: MariLynntex
Date: 03-21-2006, 01:51 PM (17 of 24)
| Nearly every sewing store, including Wal-Mart & JoAnn's carry this line (or something very similar) of patterns. They usually have them om a separate rack, no pattern books, just the patterns in the usual envelope with the picture on the front and they are seldom more than $2.99--I think $3.50 in Canada. They are very good patterns with good directions. I just made a Davy Crockett suit for my 8-yr-old grandson for a school pageant using one of their pajama patterns. Just added some fringe at the yoke amd down the sleeves and on the lower edge; used a leather thong to lace up the neck opening. With his long rifle "Old Betsy" (made of wood by his dad) and real coonskin cap he looked every inch a miniature hero of the Alamo! I used suede cloth iin a tan color for the 'buckskins" and he wore a pair of moccasins. The fringe was straight strips I sewed into the sleeves (cut the sleeve pattern down the middle) then I clipped the pieces into fringe after they were sewed in. I just made the pj top longer and clipped the bottom for fringe I cut the pattern pieces to make the yoke and sewed strips into that seam also for the fringe. He was really pleased with it! MariLynntex |
User: MariLynntex
Member since: 01-05-2006 Total posts: 107 |
From: swartzrn
Date: 03-23-2006, 12:38 PM (18 of 24)
|
I have had good luck with all of the one's mentioned before. I always look for the simplest and easiest and go from there. My initial tote bag pattern I have altered myself depending on what I am making. For example, it's more tall and less wide but I wanted to make diaper bags that were wider and shorter SO I redid it a bit on paper and went from there. I have made all size bags from one simple pattern! I have found that you can add your own touch to many of the easier patterns. Back to the bags, the original pattern did not have a closure at the top. I have made bags with gross grain ribbon ties in the middle, covered button closures and different ways to close. I'm not very good w/zippers yet but that's my next venture!! LOL! Good luck!! I started back sewing in Oct so I'm a pretty newbie as well! It's addictive!! Julie
"To see the future, look into a child's eyes." |
User: swartzrn
Member since: 02-17-2006 Total posts: 436 
|
From: MariLynntex
Date: 03-23-2006, 02:08 PM (19 of 24)
| It's amazing what you can do with one pattern! I have a blouse pattern that I have made seven blouses from and each one is different. I have made yokes that are straight across, that are curved, that are like western shirts, that have ruffles, or fringe. I made one that has a beaded fringe (narrow denim strips with colored wooden beads on them, or just one bead on the end of each strip), that have beading and ribbon through it. They have different sleeves, long, 3/4, short, ruffled, puffed at the top, shirred strips inserted down the middle or at the bottom, one with shirred strips every 4 or 5 inches down the arm. One had big sleeves to just below the elbow and I did a cutrwork and freemotion machine embroidery design on the wide part of the sleeve. I have one pants pattern--I cut apart an old pair of pants that fit really well--and transferred them to pellon, cut the pieces out, and that pattern has been used a dozen times and looks like it will last forever. Saved me a lot of money! MariLynntex |
User: MariLynntex
Member since: 01-05-2006 Total posts: 107 |
From: swartzrn
Date: 03-23-2006, 02:50 PM (20 of 24)
|
WOW--your shirts sound fabulous MariLynn-- My bags have all turned out to be unique. During the holidays I wanted to make bags for all of the girls in the family. Two of them are teenagers so I knew their bags needed to be different sized plus I didn't want everyone's the same. Obviously, I used different fabric but I put a unique twist on each one. I added fringe or different closures, different pockets and again, ALL out of the same pattern! I am all about saving money and not only didn't I have to buy different patterns and the one I had originally wasn't that expensive, I used remnants for some of the bags, especially the smaller ones and trimming that I had at home already (some I bought though.) I think they turned out really cute and were very well received. Julie
"To see the future, look into a child's eyes." |
User: swartzrn
Member since: 02-17-2006 Total posts: 436
|
From: Mariellen
Date: 03-23-2006, 09:13 PM (21 of 24)
|
Hi all...the best prices I have found for any of the major patterns...including the Dummy, Easy, etc...is on eBay. All of the ones I have gotten are new out of the package. I usually pay between $2-$4 per pattern. Just thought I would let you all know.
If I had known that grandchildren were so much fun, I would have had them first!!
|
User: Mariellen
Member since: 02-16-2006 Total posts: 58 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 03-24-2006, 07:33 AM (22 of 24)
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Mariellen -- Both Joanns and Hancocks have patterns for $1 regularly -- except Vogue which are a bit more. You just have to pay attention to what brand is on sale where and when. They tend to do each brand at least once a season. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-24-2006, 08:46 AM (23 of 24)
|
They also put the Butterick patterns on sale for a dollar or two. The Vogue are usually on sale for 75% off which can be anywhere from about $3 to $7 a pattern which is considerably cheaper than $12-27 a pattern for current Vogue. Hobby Lobby also has these sales.
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: Mariellen
Date: 03-24-2006, 09:18 AM (24 of 24)
|
Hi...thanks for the info. I was aware of Joanns doing that. I tend to prefer eBay on certain things only because I have 2 crushed nerves in my back and also MS and it is just easier for me to use the internet. But you can be assured that when Joanns has a great sale with a great coupons..such as this weekend...I will be there!!!! LOL Have a great day everyone! If I had known that grandchildren were so much fun, I would have had them first!!
|
User: Mariellen
Member since: 02-16-2006 Total posts: 58
|
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