Amy's Sewing Studio

Sewing for Beginners

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Amy
  • BLOG
  • Sewing Basics
  • Sewing Tutorials
  • Sewing Tips and How-To’s
  • Sewing Notions & Accessories
    • Sewing Themed Journals
You are here: Home / Sewing Tips and How-To's / 6 Helpful Tips for Successful Pattern Piece Layout

by Amy

6 Helpful Tips for Successful Pattern Piece Layout

Get Helpful Tips for Sewing Pattern Layout. Commercial Sewing Patterns have Sewing Pattern Piece Layout illustrations but sometimes extra tips are helpful! These tips help the beginner seamstress to keep sewing as simple as possible. Check out this Tip Guide to see extra 'help' photos. Save this pin to your favorite board AND Click on this pin to get the TIPS!

TIPS for Successful Pattern Piece Layout

After you have pre-washed your fabric and notions, made size adjustments on pattern pieces if needed, you are ready for pattern piece layout. (This article is referring to a store bought pattern.)

Tip #1. Use a cutting board or mat to lay your fabric on.

OLFA Rotary Cutter and Mat. Use Ruler Mat to lay fabric out. Ruler Guides will help to make sure your fabric is laying on grain and ready for pattern pieces.

Olfa 45mm Rotary Cutter (RTY-2/G), 18x24 Inch Cutting Mat, 5pack BladesOlfa 45mm Rotary Cutter (RTY-2/G), 18×24 Inch Cutting Mat, 5pack BladesBUY NOW

 

The ruler guides help make sure your fabric grain/edges are lined up and as straight as they can be. If you don’t have a mat, just lay your fabric out on a clean table and use the straight edge of the table as your guide.

Tip #2. Use flat and smooth pattern pieces.

Use your iron on a very LOW heat setting, without steam, and quickly press your pattern pieces to get rid of all the fold lines.

Tip #3. Use the pattern layout images, shown in the instructions, for a visual guide.

The pattern instructions have illustrations to show you how to fold the fabric AND which direction to lay out the pattern pieces on the fabric efficiently to avoid wasting fabric.

There will be several layout options. Which option you’ll use depends on the pattern view you are making, the width of your fabric (44-45″ OR 58-60″), the correct size and whether your fabric has nap. **If you are unsure whether your fabric has nap, follow the WITH NAP layout. Choose the layout that meets all these criteria.

Tip #4. The long arrow line on the pattern pieces is to be placed on Lengthwise fabric grain.

One important thing to know is that most pattern pieces have a long directional line, arrows at each end, printed on the pattern piece. The long line needs to lay on the lengthwise grain of fabric, parallel to the selvage edge.

Use a tape measure or clear ruler, measure each end of the printed directional line to ensure both ends are equal distance away from the closest straight edge of fabric. Insert a pin at each end of the line to make sure pattern stays on grain line. Add pins around the rest of the pattern piece.

The direction you lay your pattern pieces on the fabric will directly affect how your clothing garments fit. Make sure you understand how to find fabric grain lines.

Keep the pins within the seam allowance to help ensure you don’t cut into any pins. If you prefer, you can use magnets to hold pattern piece down on fabric. (I, Amy, prefer to just use pins! You can choose to use pins or magnets.)

Tip #5. Note the direction of the pattern shown as they are placed on the fabric.

-Right side ink facing up

-Wrong side ink facing fabric

Some pattern pieces will be placed on the ‘FOLD’ line.

Some pattern pieces will be placed on the diagonal grain line.

Tip #6 Keep fabric from hanging off the edge of your table.

If the fabric is hanging off the table, this can stretch the fabric which could affect how other pieces look or fit.

In a perfect world, we would have a REALLY long table for the multiple yards of fabric we have for our project. In reality, the table is most likely average length and not long enough to lay fabric out all at once.

If need be, you’ll have to roll or fold the fabric to keep all the fabric up on the table. You will still follow the layout illustrations but just a few pattern pieces at a time; after these pieces are cut out, pull more fabric on the table and pin next patterns on the fabric.

Use these top tips to help keep pattern piece layout simple and easy.

As you are cutting your fabric, note where the notches are on your pattern piece. It is best to take time to cut notches outwardly instead of making small cut in the seam allowance. WHY? If you cut a slit in the seam allowance, you are limited at how much you can let out your seam allowance for sizing adjustments.

At the time of making this post, there was only ONE of these patterns left on Amazon! Check out Skirt pattern here!

Check out other Simplicity Skirt patterns- available at the Simplicity Store on Amazon!

I also found another helpful link on this Pattern Layout topic!

Please share one of these photos to your favorite social media!

Thanks for stopping by and reading this post! If you have any questions regarding this post please contact Amy at amy@amyssewingstudio.com

CONTACT AMY


Owner of Amy’s Sewing Studio

HI, I’m Amy and this is my blog I have created for YOU, the Sewing Beginner! You’ll find tutorials, techniques and other sewing tips.
Read more ABOUT AMY

If you have any beginning sewing questions, simply send an email to: amy@amyssewingstudio.com
Sign up below for an occasional newsletter-Get informed of new articles and other happenings at Amy’s Sewing Studio!

Sewing Journals

Sewing Project Journals- Keep track of the various details of your Sewing Adventures! 1)Make a Sewing Memories Journal-Pictures and Details of your finished projects. 2)Projects you want to do, or are in progress 3)Measurements Journal. These are a few examples of how you can use Sewing Journals in your sewing room!

FUN Sewing Gift Ideas for a Seamstress!

 GREAT Gift Ideas for a Seamstress!  Check out these Sewing Supplies with a Designer Flare!

Social Media Connections

Affiliate Disclosures

Affiliate Links in my website are provided for your convenience, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I will also earn a commission from other qualifying product purchases. Privacy Policy Page

Sewing Resources

Learning to Sew can be challenging, but with GREAT tutorials, step by step help and Sewing Recommendations- You can Learn to Sew! Check out Amys Sewing Studio! A great site geared towards keeping sewing SIMPLE for the Beginner! Click here to EXPLORE and LEARN!

Pretty Chic Theme By: Pretty Darn Cute Design