Learn to Read and Adjust Patterns For Home Sewers: Learn the Ins and Outs of Printed Patterns

by Sharon Clay

This book is for anyone who wants to learn to read, make adjustments, and understand preprinted paper patterns available from retail stores and online stores for garments, home decor, and sewing crafts for the home sewer. The process of reading and understanding a home sewing pattern can be frustrating and confusing without some guidance and tips. This book will steer you on the correct path to understanding. Through reading and applying the lessons you learn from this book you will be able to read the sizing charts on the back of the pattern envelope, and understand fabric and notions needed to create the end product. You will also learn to understand the sewing skill level the pattern was created for, as well as grading lines, cutting symbols, and adjusting symbols. In this volume you will also find instructions and hints to adjust the paper pattern to better fit your shape requirements. All preprinted patterns are designed using standard sizes to fit persons of average shape in their respective sizes. Since not everyone is built the same, you may have a special need in a specific part of your body that would require an adjustment to the preprinted pattern to make the garment fit and look better when completed. Standard body measurement charts for Misses, Women, Men, Juniors, Girls, Boys, Children, Toddlers, and Infants are included in this volume with measurements noted in inches and centimeters.

84 pages, Paperback

First published April 23, 2013

Reviews

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It taught me exactly how to read and use a sewing pattern. Then it took things a step further and taught me how to adjust different parts of the pattern, so that my finished garment will fit perfectly with a custom fit. The author has a way of not only making everything crystal clear, but also fascinating and interesting. I was able to read it cover to cover. Then when I finished, I went back and marked certain spots with tabs, so that I can quickly find things to refer back to when I’m in the middle of using a pattern. I bought another sewing book by a different author, it did have some good info, but it was boring and felt overwhelming. I couldn’t read it cover to cover like I did this one. I plan on buying more of Sharon’s sewing books. I highly recommend this one!!!

[Kat · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too basic

Way too much space wasted with printing size charts which are available on every pattern envelope. Not much about adjusting patterns. What they had may adversely affect fit like setting in sleeves.

[Alma Tillis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I really enjoyed this book. It helped me to remember what the lines and dots where for and refreshing of my memory to the steps to sewing from a pattern and the lingo of sewing. Great book and easy to understand I'm going to read the rest of her collection. Have to