When I was in elementary school I got off the bus at my neighbor’s house, Mrs. Olson.  Marion is a seamstress and taught me how to sew after school.  My first project was a Care Bear pillow, which no doubt dates me.  I grew up sewing clothes, crafts and projects.   In college I worked for a major fabric store chain.  So the other day when a friend of mine said “you know, I would like to sew, but who can read a pattern?” it started me thinking.  Once again the jargon to English dictionary is needed.

A pattern is easy to decipher if you know the lingo.  The front will have different pictures of the different styles or views that can be made with the pattern.  When picking out your fabric, make sure you use the measurements on the back of the package with the same style or view.  It is important to know that fabric comes in different widths; the most common fabric widths are 45 inches and 60 inches.  The fabric width can be found on the top of the fabric bolt, along with the fabric contents.  Remember, 100% cotton shrinks about one inch per yard and your fabric will have to be washed before you cut out your pattern. Take if from someone who knows, you don’t want to spend all the time and effort to make something if it looks like doll clothes after you wash it for the first time!  Match the width of your fabric with the size of the style you want to make and the pattern will tell you how much fabric to get.  You may also have a contrast section; contrast is a complimentary patterned fabric that matches the main pattern fabric.

Once you have your fabric picked out, look for a section called notions.  Notions are items that help aid in sewing like thread, zippers and buttons.  Usually a sewing store has a wall filled with notions.  The pattern will tell you size and quantity of items to get.  Interfacing is a notion that is often sold in a bolt like fabric.  It helps to re-enforce areas like collars, cuffs and buttonholes.  It can be fusible (iron-on) or non-fusible (sewn- on) and comes in different weights.  Make sure the weight of your interfacing matches your fabric type.

On the inside of the pattern you have cutting instructions.  They will show you how to lay the pattern on the fabric according to style size and fabric width.  Some pieces may be placed on a fold or cut with the pattern piece upside down on the fabric.  Just read the instructions and the key, like a map.  The selvage of the fabric is the finished edge.  The bias of the fabric is the natural stretch line from the upper corner of one side to the bottom corner of the other side.  Also some fabric has a nap (no they are not tired!).  A nap means that the fabric has a direction, like corduroy or velvet.  Also, fabric may have a pattern, like plaid.  All this is important when cutting out a pattern.  The first couple of times, it may be easier to start with a solid fabric, until you get the hang of things.  Also, craft patterns can easier than clothing.  Start out with a pillow or curtains and work your way up.

Whether you want to do some inexpensive home improvements or make your kids Halloween costumes, don’t let the foreign language of sewing discourage you from being creative.  Sew, I’ll see you around……

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