Sew Green Tips
Save Time – Save Money $

~ Sewing Patterns ~

Save $ ~ Lay out Beforehand to Prevent Waste

Most pattern companies give fairly generous yardage recommendations to make it easy to lay out the pattern, but his can mean from ¼ to ½ yard of waste. Buy your pattern first and experiment with various layouts at home on a folded bed sheet before you buy the fabric. Even a quarter of a yard saved can add up to several dollars.

Save $ ~ Careful Storage Saves Patterns

When you find a pattern you really like, you'll probably want to use it again, so be careful how you put it away. First, lightly press each pattern piece with a warm iron, then repair any tears with clear tape. Fold each piece with the name and number on top, and clip the pieces for each garment together. Write down any adjustments you made to the pattern and the amount of material you actually used. Slip this note into the envelope with the pattern so that you' be all ready the next time you use the pattern.

Save ~ Sew-By-Number

Most pattern pieces are numbered in the order in which the garment is assembled. That is, pieces numbered 1 and 2 (or A and B) will be sewn together first, piece number 3 (or C) will be added, and so on. To save time looking through a stack of cut fabric pieces for an elusive pocket flap or other small piece, stack the pieces in numerical order, with the highest number on the bottom of the pile. This will make it easy to pick up each piece in sequence and add it to your garment.

Save & $ ~ Press Your Patterns and Fabric

Before you lay out a pattern, press the pattern pieces. A badly wrinkled pattern can make a difference in the fit of your finished garment. Press the fabric well, too, especially the center crease. If this crease doesn't press out completely, refold the fabric to avoid the creased area.

Save & $ ~ Pattern Size Book

Keep a small notebook of pattern sizes for yourself and anyone else you sew for, and take it with you when you go shopping. You can jot down the name of the store where you saw just the right fabric on a day you were too busy to stop in, and you can make a note of details you see on ready-made clothing that you would like to try at home. You can also pin in sample swatches from clothes you've made so that you can match accessories.

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