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Moderated by EleanorSews
Posted on: 3/6/09 9:25 AM ET
I just dont seem to get them... I feel like they are talking greek to me... Im the same way with directions for putting things together...
Im currently working on one that says "turn one pant leg right side out; slip inside remaining pant leg. Stitch remainder of crotch seam to small circle in front"
Suffice Im baffled by all of that except the last line...
Now usually I get it after reading it 25 times, walking away and then reading again.... somewhere after that the lightbulb goes off
( or should I say comes on)
Is there a pattern reading guide ( besides whats in the pattern directions) that would help me keep what's left of my sanity? maybe I need a pattern reading course
suggestions?
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Im currently working on one that says "turn one pant leg right side out; slip inside remaining pant leg. Stitch remainder of crotch seam to small circle in front"
Suffice Im baffled by all of that except the last line...
Now usually I get it after reading it 25 times, walking away and then reading again.... somewhere after that the lightbulb goes off
( or should I say comes on)
Is there a pattern reading guide ( besides whats in the pattern directions) that would help me keep what's left of my sanity? maybe I need a pattern reading course
suggestions?
------
http://mamazsewingescapadez.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 3/6/09 9:49 AM ET
I hear you loud and clear. When I first started sewing seriously, I felt like an idiot! I'd like to think I'm *reasonably* intelligent, but those instructions can make you think twice about your smarts! I find the Big 4 (and Burda, too) can really talk in circles and complicate things, so it's not you.
Try some KwikSew's. They have GREAT instructions and pictures, and their beginner patterns are like mini sewing lessons. I actually like Ottobre's instructions, too. While they are short and usually don't have accompanying pictures, they say what they mean and I get it. Everyone's reading comprehension is different, tho, so verbage that works for one person doesn't always work for another.
Do know that once your intuitive sewing skills get better, you'll be better able to muddle thru the gobbledy-gook that the US pattern writers put out there.. Honest. Until then, I would suggest getting a couple of good, comprehensive garment sewing books that will help you with construction details and, of course, stay tuned here. I've never had an issue that my fine PR friends haven't been able to get me out of.

Good luck!!!
Eve
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Try some KwikSew's. They have GREAT instructions and pictures, and their beginner patterns are like mini sewing lessons. I actually like Ottobre's instructions, too. While they are short and usually don't have accompanying pictures, they say what they mean and I get it. Everyone's reading comprehension is different, tho, so verbage that works for one person doesn't always work for another.
Do know that once your intuitive sewing skills get better, you'll be better able to muddle thru the gobbledy-gook that the US pattern writers put out there.. Honest. Until then, I would suggest getting a couple of good, comprehensive garment sewing books that will help you with construction details and, of course, stay tuned here. I've never had an issue that my fine PR friends haven't been able to get me out of.

Good luck!!!
Eve
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People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it - Chinese proverb
Posted on: 3/6/09 10:10 AM ET
In reply to Mom to 5
It is simply not easy to write how to do something and have someone understand what to do. (Great to see school kids do "Write it, do it!" where one writes directions and other follows them.) Illustrations do help.
How about: Stick one pants leg inside the other. (But the right sides have to face each other (so the outer one has to be inside out), otherwise try again!) (Not sure I understand myself!) Then you have a one-legged pant ready for you to sew up the crot ch and center back and front.
I agree that Kwik Sew has great directions. Also your library, or used book store (or online) has Vogue, Simplicity, Singer, or Readers Digest basic sewing directions that are great for reference. The old ones are at least as good as new editions.
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How about: Stick one pants leg inside the other. (But the right sides have to face each other (so the outer one has to be inside out), otherwise try again!) (Not sure I understand myself!) Then you have a one-legged pant ready for you to sew up the crot ch and center back and front.
I agree that Kwik Sew has great directions. Also your library, or used book store (or online) has Vogue, Simplicity, Singer, or Readers Digest basic sewing directions that are great for reference. The old ones are at least as good as new editions.
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Janome serger 634D, Brother PC6000, Singer 500A, Kenmore Mini-Ultra, vintage Bernina 600, White Rotary treadle, New Homestead A VS treadle
Posted on: 3/6/09 10:21 AM ET
In reply to Mom to 5
Quote: Passionfruit
I just dont seem to get them... I feel like they are talking greek to me... Im the same way with directions for putting things together...
Im currently working on one that says "turn one pant leg right side out; slip inside remaining pant leg. Stitch remainder of crotch seam to small circle in front"
Suffice Im baffled by all of that except the last line...
Now usually I get it after reading it 25 times, walking away and then reading again.... somewhere after that the lightbulb goes off
( or should I say comes on)
Is there a pattern reading guide ( besides whats in the pattern directions) that would help me keep what's left of my sanity? maybe I need a pattern reading course
suggestions?
I just dont seem to get them... I feel like they are talking greek to me... Im the same way with directions for putting things together...
Im currently working on one that says "turn one pant leg right side out; slip inside remaining pant leg. Stitch remainder of crotch seam to small circle in front"
Suffice Im baffled by all of that except the last line...
Now usually I get it after reading it 25 times, walking away and then reading again.... somewhere after that the lightbulb goes off
( or should I say comes on)
Is there a pattern reading guide ( besides whats in the pattern directions) that would help me keep what's left of my sanity? maybe I need a pattern reading course
suggestions?
First off, what those directions are telling you to do is put the pants legs together with the right sides facing one another. You have the pant legs inside out and then one inside the other. The result is a sort of pant leg tube. When you do this, it is easier to sew the crotch seam from the top of the center back seam to the small circle at the front.
You want to take a look at some basic sewing books and just skim thru the illustrations and the language used for how to construct various garments. A second here for considering KwikSew patterns. The pattern envelope illustrations are not so fashion forward but if you look to them for wardrobe basics, you will find their instruction sheets to contain a wealth of well thought out instructions.
Of course, I can attest to the fact the I keep learning every time I read posts on PR. Lots of good questions and lots of good information coming in response.
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"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." Anais Nin
"Attitude is the difference between an adventure and an ordeal." unknown
“Be curious, not judgmental.” Ted Lasso
"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." Anais Nin
"Attitude is the difference between an adventure and an ordeal." unknown
“Be curious, not judgmental.” Ted Lasso
Posted on: 3/6/09 11:45 AM ET
In my opinion, most pattern instructions are usually a poorly written and uninspired source of information on how to construct a garment. Usually, I glance at the pictures for a couple of minutes and then do my own thing. Whenever I'm stuck, I refer to examples from the RTW in my closet or to my sewing books. I think it's a good idea to try to wean yourself away from pattern instructions as soon as you can.
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No sewing project is ever a complete success nor a total failure.
Posted on: 3/6/09 12:04 PM ET
In reply to Mom to 5
Part of the problem is that most pattern instructions nowadays aren't "written," they're pieced together from a list of phrases that have been used in pattern instructions over and over for years. Occasionally they even stick in the wrong noun (tell you to sew your pants side seam when you're actually sewing a skirt...). And they also take shortcuts, leaving out some things they think are obvious. Eve's idea about starting with Kwik Sew beginner patterns is great. I haven't used them, but from what I hear it sounds like they're similar to what beginner patterns used to be like several decades ago when I was learning -- a) not assuming too much, and b) using good illustrations to help explain the steps. I wouldn't recommend setting the instructions aside and winging it, especially while you're still trying to work out basic sewing procedures, but if you ask for help here with the steps you don't understand, eventually the procedures will become clearer. I know -- I used to (and occasionally still do!) find written instructions on how to assemble things virtually unintelligible, because I am (to put it mildly) not inherently gifted at picturing how things fit together. Over the years I've gotten much better at this, though, partly from getting used to the wording they use in instructions, and partly because I either had to work out how to assemble things myself or not get anything assembled. So... I hear ya. 
-- Edited on 3/6/09 12:45 PM --
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-- Edited on 3/6/09 12:45 PM --
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my shield and my very great reward ~ Gen. 15:1
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~ Albert Einstein
People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be. ~ Scudder N. Parker
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~ Albert Einstein
People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be. ~ Scudder N. Parker
Posted on: 3/6/09 12:22 PM ET
In reply to Mom to 5
I'm a beginning sewer and I struggle to understand these kind of instructions myself. I too wish there was one good source or class to take that would explain pattern interpretation but it's just one of those things that will come with practice as well as trial and error.
I recently made a pair of pajama pants and I didn't understand the whole "stick one leg in the other" direction until I found this tutorial and once I saw a picture and tried it myself, I finally got it:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How_to_Sew_Your_Own_Pajama_Pants/
I recently made a pair of pajama pants and I didn't understand the whole "stick one leg in the other" direction until I found this tutorial and once I saw a picture and tried it myself, I finally got it:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How_to_Sew_Your_Own_Pajama_Pants/
Posted on: 3/6/09 12:27 PM ET
In reply to Mom to 5
I had problems too. The one thing that helped me was instead of reading the whole paragraph, I would chuck it into bits. For example
turn one pant leg right side out; slip inside remaining pant leg. Stitch remainder of crotch seam to small circle in front"
Becomes "turn one pant leg right side out"
Then; "slip inside remaining pant leg"
Then; "Stitch remainder of crotch seam to small circle in front"
I find if I just read one instruction at a time, it because much easier. When you read it all at once, it seems they have you doing three things at once.
good luck
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turn one pant leg right side out; slip inside remaining pant leg. Stitch remainder of crotch seam to small circle in front"
Becomes "turn one pant leg right side out"
Then; "slip inside remaining pant leg"
Then; "Stitch remainder of crotch seam to small circle in front"
I find if I just read one instruction at a time, it because much easier. When you read it all at once, it seems they have you doing three things at once.
good luck
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http://theramblingsoftcm.blogspot.com/
Numbers for 2013:
Yards in stash: 606.25
Yards in: 22.75
Yards out: 10.50
Numbers for 2012:
594.00 yards in stash
4 yards in
10.25 yards out
Numbers for 2011:
601.25 yards in stash (I'm sure this number is off by a few yards)
Yards in: 137.50 (Seriously? I'm over 100, and it's only JULY? Ugh!)
Yards out: 88.75
Numbers for 2013:
Yards in stash: 606.25
Yards in: 22.75
Yards out: 10.50
Numbers for 2012:
594.00 yards in stash
4 yards in
10.25 yards out
Numbers for 2011:
601.25 yards in stash (I'm sure this number is off by a few yards)
Yards in: 137.50 (Seriously? I'm over 100, and it's only JULY? Ugh!)
Yards out: 88.75
Posted on: 3/6/09 1:32 PM ET
In reply to Vintage Joan
Quote: Joan1954
Part of the problem is that most pattern instructions nowadays aren't "written," they're pieced together from a list of phrases that have been used in pattern instructions over and over for years.
Part of the problem is that most pattern instructions nowadays aren't "written," they're pieced together from a list of phrases that have been used in pattern instructions over and over for years.
Too true, too true. Every now and then with the specialty patterns, like the "Threads" patterns, they will write new stock phrases, but they still use these for the pattern in the line.
I second the recommendation to get a good general sewing book. Check out a few from your local library to see which one works best for you. The sewing books will give you the info that the sewing patterns are assuming that you already know. I once read a comment from someone that said they never understood Vogue patterns until they got the Vogue Sewing Book because they sewing book expands on the limited instructions in the pattern. You could also try some of the garment specific sewing books, like "Easy Guide to Sewing Pants", etc. which will also give you tips on fitting and fabric choice.
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"Cultivate your curves. They may be dangerous, but they won't be avoided."
-Mae West
"I like big butts and I cannot lie."
-Sir Mix-a-lot
-Mae West
"I like big butts and I cannot lie."
-Sir Mix-a-lot
Posted on: 3/6/09 1:56 PM ET
In reply to Mom to 5
Pattern directions are written by the "copy and paste" method of writing. They are awful-uninspiring for the most part and sometimes even wrong. Here is what has helped me (I have been sewing seriously for about 10 months):
I picked some basic patterns to work with-pull on skirts, pull on pants, basic tees, shirts and a robe. I tried to make at least 2 of each pattern, especially with the shirts/blouses. That way, I could practice reading and following the directions. I found that while the second garment wasn't really any easier, I had more fun making it and was less anxious about doing all the steps.
Oh, and try searching You Tube...there are some great tutorials out there.
I picked some basic patterns to work with-pull on skirts, pull on pants, basic tees, shirts and a robe. I tried to make at least 2 of each pattern, especially with the shirts/blouses. That way, I could practice reading and following the directions. I found that while the second garment wasn't really any easier, I had more fun making it and was less anxious about doing all the steps.
Oh, and try searching You Tube...there are some great tutorials out there.
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