Laying Out A Pattern
Dateline: 07/29/99
Once you have chosen your fabric and pre-shrunk it, laying out a pattern is the next step.
What you will need
- Your fabric and pattern
- Straight pins
- A cleared flat area, large enough to accommodate your fabric.
- Measuring tools
- Scissors
Things to consider
- Does your fabric have a design that you would not want to land in certain areas?
- For example: If the fabric has a large star design, you would not want a star to land at the bust point.
- Mark the areas of your pattern to remind yourself not to have the fabric design land in these locations.
- Will you be using the with nap or without nap layout?
- Velvets and velours are just a few of the fabrics that require the with nap layout.
- If your fabric is a one way design you will also need the with nap layout.
- Some fabrics have different hues depending on the direction they are laying. Be sure to hold up the fabric from two different directions to see if the direction makes a difference with your fabric.
- Have you checked the pattern fit?
- There is nothing more discouraging then making a garment to have it not fit. Read more at Choosing Patterns and Altering Patterns .
- Have you chosen an appropriate fabric for the pattern?
- All commercial patterns have a suggested fabrics area on the pattern envelope. The pattern was designed for the types of fabric listed.
- For example: If you choose a woven fabric for a pattern that suggests knits, you may not have the give in the fabric, that is required to put the garment on, as well as the garment not hanging or fitting the way it was intended.
- Are you using a multi sized pattern?
- If you are using a multi sized patterns, you may want to trace your pattern rather then cut the original. If you do cut a pattern piece, label the cut section and place it in the pattern envelope.
- Do you have good fabric shears?
- Fabric scissors should be preserved for fabric only. Using them to cut paper dulls them. Even trimming your pattern as you cut it out, dulls good scissors.
- Are your pattern pieces and fabric pressed flat?
- If you do not take the time to prepare your pattern and fabric, it will alter your finished garment. Have all items pressed so that they will lay flat.
- Make sure your fabric is laying flat and smooth on both sides of the fold. If it isn't you will be adding fabric to the pattern piece and it will alter your finished garment.
Page 2 - The Layout Guide And More
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