Let’s face it. The first thing that draws any of us to a sewing pattern is its envelope art: illustration or photograph. In most cases right or wrong, sewing pattern art is often our primary factor in our buying. But vintage sewing pattern art is more than pretty faces, beautiful clothing and stunning poses.
I either like or dislike the depiction on the envelope-immediately imagining myself in the garment or placing myself in some fantasy I dream up about the pattern itself.
“That’s cute”, “I’m going to look good in this”, “This reminds me of…”
It might be a little corny or hard to believe, but I like reading old sewing books. I really do. But, I’ll admit-chapters centering around choosing the right color, what’s your style and all about fabric, bore me to death.
That’s not to say those chapters don’t include important information, I’m set in my ways and believe I know what I know about me and don’t want to waste the reading time.
For the most part, in choosing a pattern for myself, I do so on instinct. There’s nothing scientific about it.
This isn’t the best method of choosing a pattern for sewing.
A better alternative is actually using information contained on the front of the sewing pattern envelope because it contains a great deal of helpful information. And the envelope is something a beginner sewer should pay close attention too.
Sewing pattern envelope illustrations were painted actual artists (which is way a great many are so beautiful) using actual fabric swatches in order to give the home sewer a realistic idea of what the made up garment would look like.
In essence, pattern art tells a fashion story, providing useful information to the seamstress.
The front of the pattern envelop shows the garment design made in fabrics selected by the designer as being suitable for the pattern in WEIGHT, DURABILITY, TEXTURE and DESIGN.
- If the view or version include figured, plaid or striped fabrics, the pattern is suitable for that type of fabric.
- If the illustration in depicted in only solid colors, the garment is most suitable for solid colors.
- Note any special pattern features of the manufacturer. For example, McCall’s patterns contain ”spool symbols”. These spool symbols are meant to give the seamstress added information about the particular pattern: dressmaker tested (an indication that the pattern was made up prior to being offered on the market), suitable for chubbies (over-weight children) and time saving quickie (fast and easy to make)
To get the most help from the sewing pattern envelope in relationship to making up your garment:
- Analyze design lines
- Study construction details
- Decide whether design features are flattering for you and your person
- Study the silhouette
- Take note of the fabric choices recommended
For more information
How to drape fabric
Food for the brain: sewing may be good for you
How to iron a sewing pattern
Sewing Pattern Portal
