Making Your Own Pattern


We often hear that new sewists are intimidated by drawing their own patterns, so we were thrilled to see Katy from Sweet Verbana made a fantastically easy Make Your Own Pattern Tutorial that everyone, yes everyone, can do!

Make sure to stop by Sweet Verbana’s to check out many of Katy’s other tutorials like the adorable Maxi Dress, an infinity loop scarf (perfect for winter) and even a learn how to do reverse applique (I’m seeing Holiday gifts!).

Don’t go anywhere just yet, keep reading for the Making Your Own Pattern Tutorial after the jump.


Making Your Own Pattern

Patterns aren’t cheap. Seriously, I was browsing through the look books at Hobby Lobby the other day and some of them were as much as $20. Tack that on to the price of fabric and other supplies and suddenly sewing your own clothing becomes very expensive.

Thankfully, you can make your own patterns using your own clothing that you know to fit well. I’ll show you how to make a simple blouse pattern using a top of my own.

I used Scotch Postal Wrapping Paper as my pattern paper. I found it at Target for about $5. It gives you 30 feet of paper, so it will last a long time.


I used paper because I like to lay my pattern piece down and trace the shape directly onto my fabric. If you think you’d prefer to pin the pattern to your fabric and then cut it out, paper may not be the way to go for you.

Muslin fabric is another great material that would allow you to pin the pattern piece to your fabric. It’s also nice because it can be folded up and stored away when not in use.

Lay your garment down on the paper and determine the middle of the top.

Mark right above the collar and right below the hem.

Draw a rough outline of one half of the top.

When you get to the sleeve, do your best to fold it back so that you just see the armhole. Sketch the curve as shown below.

This first pattern piece I’m working on will serve as the back of the pattern. Sketch the outline of the slightly higher, back collar. Stop once you get to the half marks that you previously made.


Now you’ll need to sketch an outline outside the dotted line to allow for seam allowances.

To determine how far apart the rough sketch line should be from the final outline of the pattern you’ll need to take what materials you’re working with into consideration.

For example: The lace top I am using has a stretch quality to it. If I want to use this pattern to make a top with a non-stretch fabric, I will need to make the final pattern outline a good amount wider than my rough sketch. However, if I was using a non-stretch garment to make my pattern I wouldn’t have to allow for as much extra fabric.

It’s always better to have a too big pattern and therefore a too big top than it is to go too small. Don’t be afraid to be generous.

Extend the outline by about 1.5 inches along the sides and about 1 inch at the armholes and collar.

Extend the bottom of the top by several inches to allow for hemming.

Cut on the line and fold the pattern over making sure that the crease is on the middle marks you made previously.

Trace so that you have a perfectly symmetrical pattern.

Repeat the same process for the front piece of the pattern being sure to trace the front part of the collar this time.

Now for the sleeves. Fold a piece of paper and position it underneath the garment and the pattern. The fold should be parallel to the top of the sleeve.

Trace the curve of the front pattern piece. Leave plenty of extra room for the sleeve to be hemmed.

Remember it’s better to go oversized than undersized. You can always take the shirt in if it is a little too big.

Cut out all of your pieces and press to get rid of creases and you’re done!


*Update*

I recently used this pattern to make this cute little top. Click on the picture for the full tutorial!

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14 Comments

Jessica

great how-to. I love that fabric you used for your top. I've been tracing pattern pieces onto freezer paper which is awesome. It's easily see-thru for tracing and you just iron the shiny side onto the fabric and it sticks perfectly, no pinning or tracing around! AND the best part is, when you peel it off, it will stick to more fabric again and again. I love it.

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Val

Love to see someone showing us how easy it really is to make your own patterns. I just actually made my own pattern two days ago for my 5 month olds Halloween costume, because I was not about to pay $23 for a pattern! Thanks again so much!

Reply
The Tiny Homestead

I use the same method, but with plastic drop cloths from the hardware store. They're clear, so it's easy to trace. Easy to cut and store too, and the plastic scraps are recyclable. Look for 4 mil thick if you want to try it.

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aquasea1965

Just came across your site this evening and wanted to say “Thank you!” LOL I always wanted to know how to make/enlarge patterns and you make it so easy peasy! I also like the other ideas as well – will be trying this very, very soon. Thanks a lot, all!

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Mose

Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an extremely long
comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not
writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say superb blog!

Reply
Angelica

Love it. My daughter has been asking me to show how to make something. This is perfect so she can try it out herself.
Thank You for sharing.
Angelica Hedges

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Howdy this is kinda of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have
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Cindy Dye

Thank you for taking the time to show others how to make their own patterns. You did an excellent job explaining it as well. Great detail and very understandable! AGAIN THANK YOU!!!! now on to explore more of your awesome tuts and patterns!! 🙂

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Amy S.

The sleeves look different than the primary shirt, used to pattern. I suppose that is a choice, but please tell me how to get the “tshirt” sleeve shown. Cute and all, but I think my girls would like the original. If I am mistaken (as one is shown on a person and one is shown on pattern paper), I’m sorry. I think it is the angle at which the under-arm of the sleeve is drawn is the key difference. (Newbee here… Please advise.)

Also, I use paper bags from the store when I have tried to make patterns. If anyone else would like to try that. Almost free- and recyclable! 🙂

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