Jul 13 2008
Learning to read patterns, Day One
So after a week of some simple patterns that I made up for you all, now it’s time to learn to read patterns. The types of patterns I’m referring to are the ones you see in stores that come with these brown sheets of paper with all sorts of words and pictures on them. They are made by McCall’s or Simplicity for example and have pictures of what you can make on the outside of them.
For the next couple of days (however long it takes us to plow through this) I’m going to be teaching you to read a pattern using this pattern that I got from Wal-Mart. I plan on making the apron on the bottom, Letter C.
Now, you don’t have to go out and buy this particular pattern, any pattern will work, they all pretty much say the same things. But I’ve been wanting to make myself an apron so I got this pattern to try it out on.
Now to work this out together, you’ll need to get yourself some sort of pattern to work with. But when you buy the pattern, you’ll need to get your fabric and other notions as well, so I want to explain how you know what you need.
When you go to the store and pick out the pattern, turn it over on the back. You decide which pattern that you’re going to make. Like I said, I am going to make the apron on the bottom which is labeled “C”. When you look at the back of the pattern, it has them listed on the back. So I found Apron C and it tells me how much fabric I need depending on the size of the fabric. It also tells me if I need buttons or trim, for mine, I don’t need anything extra. The pattern will also tell you what types of fabric are suggested for the pattern as well. I’m going to use cotton for mine. Now, I can decide to make mine all one color or if I want, I can make the pocket a different color and the tie another color. Most patterns you can be very creative which is fun.
Also, if you start making clothes, you’ll have to double check which size of pattern you pick up. You don’t want to get the wrong size! I do suggest starting with something easy when learning to work with patterns. I have tried making skirts with patterns and had to call a friend long distance to figure out where I was messing up, but starting out making clothes is hard. So do like I am, I picked out an apron which should be easy.
So feel free to share what types of patterns you’ll be using and I’d love to see any pictures anyone has of their completed projects. See you tomorrow!
