Q&A for How to Sew Using Patterns

First, you should read through the pattern so that you understand all the steps. Then, identify which pattern pieces you need. After that, iron the pattern on a low setting with very light steam and press cloth between the pattern and the iron. Once everything is flat, cut it out with your paper-only scissors.

Yes. Cut the patterns out first, then pin them to your fabric, then cut your fabric. If you are making multiple outfits from the same pattern, but in different sizes, consider tracing or photocopying the pattern first, then using the copies.

It means the width of the purchased fabric.

Attaching the pockets first makes it easier to sew them on without wrinkles. Doing this first also means you have less fabric to deal with later when assembling the rest of the skirt.

If the fabric is right side up, the outside (the side of the garment you see when worn) will be facing you when placed on the table. If the pattern is right side up, you will see the print.

Each have their pros and cons. Doll clothes use less fabric, and therefore are more forgiving on your wallet if you mess up, but if they have intricate details, they may be much harder to execute.

No, the purpose of the paper pattern is to help you to carefully cut out the fabric first, including notches, then transfer the dart/button markings/instructions from the paper pattern onto your fabric with a piece of chalk or (washable) fabric marker so you'll know where to sew those things. After the fabric is cut, the pattern can be set aside.

Measure yourself with a measuring tape (or the person you're making the clothes for) first, Write down the measurements, then take another look at the pattern envelope. It will show you which line of the pattern tissue paper to cut on based on size.

If your pattern tissue paper is very wrinkled, sure, it helps to read it. Be sure to use a very low setting on the iron.

It depends on your fabric. Cotton is a fabric that can fray. It's a good thing to "overlock" or "zig-zag" stitch on the very edges of your fabric before you sew the pieces together. It's better to do this before you sew your fabric together just because it'll be much easier to feed one piece of flat fabric through the machine first.

You want to pin the fabric on the side that will be facing up as you are sewing it. This will usually mean fabric pieces should be pinned together from the wrong side so that you can easily take the pins out as you are sewing it.

It means fold the fabric, then cut one out. If it specifies an edge, then put the fold part there. So you are making two joined copies of the same thing, so you have symmetry.

Nap is when the hairs of a fabric lie in a certain direction (like velvet and corduroy). It is important when sewing because if you don't have the nap running in the same direction on your pattern pieces, you will end up with different color shadings and other problems.

Those are darts. You should trace them onto your fabric with a tracing wheel and marking paper. (It's sort of like making a carbon copy; the paper has a lightly colored coating that gets transferred onto your fabric.) Then, match up the dotted lines and sew those to make your dart. The excess fabric should be on the inside of the garment, and on the outside you should see a clean line that helps the flat fabric lay on the body nicely.

Yes, usually you will find the needed materials on the bottom corner or near the size chart.

Not at all. While patterns are useful because they provide a complete set of instructions, making easy garments that don't need a pattern is also very rewarding. I recommend a circle skirt or half-circle skirt to start with. You can find lots of tutorials on YouTube to help you.

If the pattern that you cut your attached material to only goes up to a 14, there obviously was a mistake. Buy another package or call the pattern's company to complain of the mistake.