What do the lines on a sewing pattern mean?
Grain lines are generally marked on all pattern pieces and indicate how the pattern piece should be placed on the uncut fabric, in relation to the selvedges. This example piece is an under collar, so the grain line is diagonal to the center back seam, indicating that the pattern piece is cut on the bias.
What is a line of stitches called?
In simple gathering, parallel rows of running stitches are sewn along one edge of the fabric to be gathered. The stitching threads are then pulled or “drawn up” so that the fabric forms small folds along the threads. Multiple rows of gathering are called shirring.
What is a seam line?
Seamline is the line that you sew along, usually 5⁄8 inch in from the cutting line (outermost edge of the pattern piece that you cut along). Seam allowance is the distance between the cutting line and the seamline.
What are the lines and symbols on 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.
Why do pattern pieces have a fold line?
On the Fold – Represented by a line with arrows pointing in a particular direction, the “on the fold” marking shows you where to position the edge of your pattern piece on a fold of your fabric. This allows you to cut a piece of fabric that is twice as large as the pattern piece.
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.)
What does 45 and 60 mean on a sewing pattern?
It means the width of the fabric, some fabrics are 60″ wide and others are 45″ only, 45 inches wide is more common. Melissa.
How do you tell if fabric is 45 or 60?
If you need 2 yards of 60-inch fabric but the fabric you love is 45 inches wide, just slide your finger from the 60-inch column to the 45-inch column; you need 2-3/4 yards for the same coverage.
How do I know my pattern size?
On most commercial patterns, your pattern size is determined by 3 measurements- bust, waist, and hips. If you circle your sizes, and you find that your bust lands in size 12, but your waist lands in size 14, go with size 14. You will want to do this for good reason.
What are three things you need to know to read a pattern?
How to read a sewing pattern
- Style lines. The photos shown with a pattern can be misleading.
- Sewing level.
- Fabric suggestions.
- Fabric yardages.
- Thread and notions.
- Size chart.
- Pattern pieces / measurements chart.
- Symbols/notches.
Are you supposed to cut out sewing patterns?
Accurately laying out a sewing pattern is an essential part of constructing any project. Unfold the pattern pieces; take out those you need. Refold and return the others to the pattern envelope. If several pattern pieces are printed on the same sheet, cut apart the pieces you need and return the rest to the envelope.