Dots, squares, and other small shapes are used as match points, much like notches, or they’re used to indicate where to start and stop sewing. For example, a dot halfway up the center back of a skirt pattern probably indicates where you should stop sewing to leave room for the zipper.
What is a dot pattern?
A dot pattern is a pattern made up of numerous dots or circles. These dots may be arranged in a regular pattern, such as in rows, or more irregularly. Dot patterns can be abstract and purely decorative, or figurative, with the dots arranged in a way that creates an image of a person, animal, object, scene, or something else.
What is marking in sewing?
Marking of the pattern pieces. Actually sewing instructions. Your sewing pattern will contain one or more line drawings, which aim to provide a simplified idea of what the garment looks like when sewn.
What are the lines and symbols on pattern pieces?
There are quite a few lines and symbols on pattern pieces and they will differ slightly depending on the sewing pattern brand. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, it will help you learn how to read sewing patterns: Cutting lines Notches Grainline Foldline Lengthen / shorten lines Darts Gathers Tucks Pleats Pockets Buttons and buttonholes
What are the cutting lines on a sewing pattern?
On every sewing pattern you’ll see cutting lines. There are usually quite a few, overlapping in places. Digital patterns are sometimes ‘nested’ which allows you to select one or more sizes to print and cut. This is handy as there are then fewer cutting lines on the paper and you are less likely to cut the wrong lines.
What are dots and squares in sewing?
Symbols used to help match and join garment sections, especially areas that are gathered or eased. This is a pictures of a pocket placement. The placement uses dots to show where the pocket should be placed on the pattern. The markings should be marked before removing the pattern pieces.
What do the little triangles mean on a sewing pattern?
What do the triangles mean on sewing patterns? Triangles and diamonds are called notches and indicate you need to mark these points to enable you to match up the pattern when sewing. Notches can be single, double and colored, or open. I always recommend you cut outwards but this is a personal preference.
What are pattern markings?
“Marking” refers to the process of placing pattern pieces to maximize the number of patterns that can be cut out of a given piece of fabric. Firms strive for “tight” markers largely because the fabric is one of a manufacturer's most significant business costs, often exceeding the cost of labor.
What are notches for?
Notches are clips or wedges cut into the seam allowance in order to facilitate matching and sewing the corresponding seams during garment construction. In other words, you can figure out which fabric pieces should be pieced together to form the seam by matching the corresponding notches to one other.
What do the arrows on a pattern mean?
A long, double-pointed arrow across your pattern pieces indicates the grainline. You don't need to mark these arrows on your fabric – they're just there to help you position the pattern pieces so they're going in the right direction in relation to the way your fabric will hang fabric.
How do you read a sewing pattern?
12:0537:58How to Read a Sewing Pattern with Liesl Gibson I Creativebug - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo for example my dress with bloomers. I can tell here that I'm going to need pieces 10 11 and 12 toMoreSo for example my dress with bloomers. I can tell here that I'm going to need pieces 10 11 and 12 to make the bloomers. And I'll need pieces 1 through 9 in order to make the dress.
What does cut 2 mean on a sewing pattern?
If your pattern says to "Cut 2", you'll want to fold your fabric half with your selvages together. (If you are unfamiliar with the word selvage, check out our Fabric Anatomy post.) Notice the selvages are on the right side and the fold is on the left.
What is considered as one of the most important symbol in pattern pieces?
Lines are the most common symbols on a pattern, highlighting the edges of each piece you need to cut from your fabric. However, different lines mean very different things. For example, cutting lines are solid lines that indicate where to cut the fabric to match the shapes on the pattern.
How do you read a sewing pattern?
12:0537:58How to Read a Sewing Pattern with Liesl Gibson I Creativebug - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo for example my dress with bloomers. I can tell here that I'm going to need pieces 10 11 and 12 toMoreSo for example my dress with bloomers. I can tell here that I'm going to need pieces 10 11 and 12 to make the bloomers. And I'll need pieces 1 through 9 in order to make the dress.
What is the importance of pattern symbols?
Why are they important? By transferring the symbols from your pattern to the fabric, it will make sewing the different pieces together much easier later on. They are provide reassuring confirmation that you are following the sewing stages correctly, for example, when your seams and notches line up.
What do dots mean on fabric?
These must be marked onto your fabric. They indicate starting and stopping points for stitching, as well as points to match up markings for things like darts.
What is a notch in sewing?
Notches are used to line up two or more pieces of fabric that you will be joining together. Notches are symbolized in various sizes, from single to quadruple. Larger notches always refer to the backside of the garment, which helps keep fronts and backs straight in your mind and prevent mistakes. Notches can be cut into the seam allowance, however, when working with beginners it is advisable to have them cut the notch outside of the seam allowance as demonstrated by the red lines in the diagram.
What is a grainline in sewing?
Grainlines. These are lines included in the pattern piece to make sure you cut the fabric out on the proper grainline for the way the garment is intended to hang. When measuring from the salvage edge measure more than one area of the line.
What does the edge of a pattern mean?
The edge of the pattern piece is usually indicated as a broken line, to remind you not to cut on that edge. If you cut this edge, there is no seam allowance and trying to join these will change the way the pattern fits, as well as how other pieces will join to this piece.
What is 1/4 difference in sewing?
A 1/4" difference from one end of the line to the other, magnifies itself in the finished garment. If you are teaching someone to sew, it is a good idea to extend this line and allow them to measure the difference from the salvage edge.
Where is the symbol key on a pattern?
This should be found either on pattern tissue or on the direction sheet. Refer to it whenever you are in doubt. This symbol key will vary by company and may change over time, to prevent costly errors, do a quick refresher every time you ...
Do all patterns have stitching lines?
Stitching Lines. Not all pattern pieces include stitching lines. When they are included they are a broken line, indicating the areas that will be stitched together. These are a guide so you can see where a line of stitching intersects and where you will not be stitching.
What is the easiest part of knowing how to read sewing patterns?
The sewing instructions themselves – provided as a step by step guide – is often the easiest part of knowing how to read sewing patterns.
Why are buttons marked on pattern pieces?
Buttons and their button holes are marked carefully on pattern pieces to ensure an accurate placement.
How are tucks formed?
Tucks are formed by bringing two points together and sewing a line parallel to the fold line created. On a pattern this can look like the image below.
What is a pattern piece?
A pattern piece is a section of the whole sewing pattern. If you were planning to sew a shirt, you would have the following sections to sew:
What is a notch on a shirt?
Notches on a pattern are matching points. You use notches to make sure that your pattern pieces are correctly matched up. It could be the sleeve notch matching up with an armsyce notch or a centre front notch on the shirt front that will line up with the centre front on your collar stand pattern piece.
What is the final step before sewing?
The final step before the sewing starts when learning how to read sewing patterns is to learn how to mark your pattern pieces.
Why do pattern pieces have a fold line?
Sometimes pattern pieces have a fold line instead of a grain line. This is because the pattern piece is symmetrical and only needs to have one piece cut out.
