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The real difference between pattern brands?? Which brand pattern is consistently reliable ?
Sherry440   Intermediate OR USA Member since 9/22/12 Posts: 21	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/29/12 11:29 AM I purchased a pile of Simplicity patterns on sale and was disappointed to find poor, sketchy instructions, and one men's shirt with yoke (it appeared) turned out to be a faux yoke you sew on top, not a cut piece! What's up with that?! Burda seems stylish but good luck tracing from their magazine, I used to prefer Butterick, but I'm not sure why... Q: Are there particular traits among the main companies that you find hold true? After inheriting a stack of 70's patterns I was shocked to see how much more clear the instructions used to be, but 36" fabric?! Still, by comparison it seems we pay more for less now in a pattern. I end up just creating...
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 6765	Login to reply to this post In reply to Sherry440 << 1 member likes this. Date: 10/29/12 11:48 AM Jalie; excellent drafting, excellent instructions. Style Arc; superb drafting, order of construction rather than detailed instructions. Love both. ------ I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock! Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
marec   Intermediate OR USA Member since 5/11/08 Posts: 3545	Login to reply to this post In reply to Sherry440 << 3 members like this. Date: 10/29/12 12:03 PM I don't think you can categorize one brand as all bad or all good, at least in the Big 4 group. I have used many brands and found gems within each. I do think that instructions are more generic now and lack specificity...in fact, doesn't it seem as though much is copied and pasted from a master list of instructions? I have come across some vintage patterns though that have sketchy directions and in those cases, it is because the instructions assumed basic knowledge. I have good luck with Vogue and Butterick...but others will disagree I am sure. ------ my blog: http://kf-biblioblog.blogspot.com/ Sewing through my pattern stash-125 completed.
ScaryMerry Intermediate NC USA Member since 9/12/12 Posts: 24	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/29/12 12:54 PM Colette Patterns (at least in my experience) have been consistently good. Well drafted and good instructions.
DonnaH Intermediate TX Member since 10/1/03 Posts: 464	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/29/12 1:25 PM Sewing from a Burda (online) pattern always makes me glad to get back to a Big 4! Many times I have looked for missing steps - and once found them at the end. I think the numbering was steps 1-4, then 7-11, and 5 & 6 were at the very end. Most of the time I have to go between the words and the diagrams (a few times) to figure out what they really meant. I suspect a machine translation in some cases. I've only tried Colette patterns from their Handbook (and the Sorbetto), but they are very easy, well thought out, and (I've heard) in cute little booklets for the printed patterns. In general most Big 4 patterns I've used have OK instructions (some better than others), the exception being when there are several different views and they try to mix them all together. I've had a few where they didn't seem to make sense ahead of time, but if I just followed the steps, they would get me there. Even if not always by the best route.
quathy   Intermediate CA USA Member since 6/3/06 Posts: 757	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/29/12 4:23 PM New Look blouses have always been a hit for me. I can do almost identical alterations and they fit (lower bust point, FBA, lengthen waist). Burda pants and tops are great, but the instructions are minimal. They have printed patterns available in the envelope. I love the look of Vogue and how well they are drafted, however I find them difficult to fit to my 'special' figure. I'm starting to take the details (cuffs, plackets, collars and the like) and apply them to my well-fit New Looks. Simplicities generally go together well for me, but are not as shapely as New Look, Burda, and Vogue. Simple, indeed.
PattyE   Intermediate MI Member since 9/7/10 Posts: 651	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/29/12 5:13 PM I love Vogue. I've made more Vogue patterns than any other brand, going back to the 70's. I hear alot of complaints about them but I never have any issues. I'm an instruction-follower though...I think it makes a difference.
Speech girl Intermediate GA USA Member since 5/11/03 Posts: 1658	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 10/29/12 5:22 PM I feel Burda is very consistent in their sizing, as is Ottobre Woman. I know what I am getting and what alterations to make. I never use the big 4 patterns anymore--require too many alterations for me. ------ Kim formerly mikkim http://girlwithatimemachine.wordpress.com/
dresscode   Advanced FL USA Member since 7/28/04 Posts: 2464	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/29/12 7:03 PM Vote for Burda for best and true drafting. Yes, they expect us to sew but they at least offer one good tutorial each month in the magazine version.
andye   Beginner VA USA Member since 5/9/09 Posts: 1531	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/29/12 7:08 PM Will a more difficult pattern have more instructions? I have a couple of 99 step vogues I haven't yet made because they're rated "very difficult". On the other hand, I've also made patterns where the instructions left so many details to the imagination.

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