Pattern Making

TO MAKE A PATTERN FROM AN EXISTING GARMENT

Posted by Emily W.

About

I was browsing a discount fabric store when I found some thermal underwear fabric for $.99 a yard. Husband wears thermal shirts and this navy blue thermal fabric is a nice respite from the “white” shirts he wears all winter.

I like to sew. I like to save money. It’s extra irritating making things that could be purchased cheaper post fabrication. Another easy, useful economical project!

TO MAKE A PATTERN FROM AN EXISTING GARMENT:

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You Will Need (4 things)

  • Newspaper
  • Marker Pen(s)
  • Rolling Pin
  • Sewing Machine

Steps (18 steps, 60 minutes)

  1. 1

    Lay shirt to be copied on newspaper and pin it down. Carefully draw around each part of the shirt. i.e. the sleeves, the front, the back.

  2. 2

    For the front and back I folded the shirt in half.

  3. 3

    That way I can lay the pattern piece on a fold later.

  4. 4

    Trace the pattern using a marker...

  5. 5

    label and cut the pieces out.

  6. 6

    For the ribbing that goes around the neck and at the cuffs I used this formula:

    Neck circumference – 8.5% = Neck ribbing length

    Cuff length – .33%= Cuff length because the cuff is folded over the finished pattern peice should have an hour glass shape. I subtracted one cm from the formula and drew my hour glass from that.

  7. 7

    Lay out your pattern peices on the fabric and pin them down. Cut leaving a 1 cm seam allowance on all peices.

  8. 8

    And now you are ready to sew.

    Sew the front and back together at the shoulders right sides together using an interlock (zigzag) stitch.

  9. 9

    Find the midpoint of the sleeve and the midpoint of the shoulder area...

  10. 10

    and pin in place.

  11. 11

    Then sew in place using an overedge stitch.

  12. 12

    Fold the Cuff in half wrong sides together. Find the mid points of the cuff and the sleeve and pin.

  13. 13

    Then stretch the ribbing to both ends and pin in place. You will need to stretch the ribbing as you sew to avoid puckers.

  14. 14

    Pin the sleeve right sides together. Pin the body right sides together and sew them up starting at the wrist and continuing down the body to the waist.

  15. 15

    Sew the neck ribbing together to make a contenious loop. Fold wrong sides together. Divide the neck of the garment into quarters and the neck ribbing into quarters. Pin the neck ribbing onto the right side of neck stretching the ribbing as you go to align the quarter marks.

  16. 16

    Sew the ribbing on using overedge stitch.

  17. 17

    Turn the ribbing and top stitch close to the join.

  18. 18

    Turn the bottom edge under 1-1.5 cm and topstitch unsing a twin needle or zigzag.

    There you have it folks. You just created a garment making your own pattern. If you are wondering why I didn’t do any ironing on this project…It’s a thermal underwear shirt, not a prom dress. he he.