new to sewing - idiotic pattern ??s

[aztraea]

Hi mamas!
Am embarking on my fourth ever sewing project and the first to be worn - and made with a bought pattern. Everything I read says to trace the pattern onto the right side of the fabric. I know they make fabric pens - is that what I use? I realize that the pen lines will probably be hidden in the sewn seam, but it seems like it will be hard to draw good lines on fleece or like fabric. Also, the pattern is for various sizes. I realize that I can cut it to the size I need now, but that means I won't be able to use the other sizes later. Thanks for any help! And be prepared to find me back here numerous times between now and Halloween

[Noelle C.]

If you cut out the pattern to your size, you can pin the pattern to the fabric and cut around that rather than tracing. I've been sewing for many many moons (25 years, yeesh, but I'm only 28, so I guess that's okay), and have never heard of any pattern saying to trace like this. Where are you reading to do this? There's a tracing wheel and chalk that can be usd for certain items, but this isn't really going to apply for beginner patterns. Which pattern are you looking at?

[aztraea]

It's just a McCall's animal costume. I'd rather pin and cut since I stink at tracing I doubt I'll be using the pattern again, but was just wondering for future reference how you're supposed to do it! Thanks!!

[sapphire_chan]

Also, read your pattern instructions, double check about marking on the right sides. Usually, you make marks on the wrong sides, so you can see them when you're sewing right sides together.

A common thing is for the instructions to show your fabric folded in half, so you can cut once and get two mirror image pieces.

[sewchris2642]

Originally Posted by aztraea

It's just a McCall's animal costume. I'd rather pin and cut since I stink at tracing I doubt I'll be using the pattern again, but was just wondering for future reference how you're supposed to do it! Thanks!!

Is it McCalls 8938? That pattern can use fake fur for the costumes. Fake fur needs to be traced with a marker, like a Sharpie, then cut with scissors (or a razor blade) one pattern piece at a time. Fleece might also be easier to cut if traced instead of pinned. To reuse the other sizes, just trace onto another sheet of paper (or featherweight sew-in interfacing) the size you want to use now. The tissue paper pattern can be saved for another size.

[aztraea]

It's the M5956. I'm hoping to modify it into a Max from WTWTA costume The pattern specifies that I am to "lay pieces on wrong side of fabric following layout" if I use fake fur, but wouldn't I actually lay pieces out DURING layout? lol And, if not using fur, I am supposed to lay them out on the right side of the fabric. Why would that be?And does it matter?

[sewchris2642]

Originally Posted by aztraea

It's the M5956. I'm hoping to modify it into a Max from WTWTA costume The pattern specifies that I am to "lay pieces on wrong side of fabric following layout" if I use fake fur, but wouldn't I actually lay pieces out DURING layout? lol And, if not using fur, I am supposed to lay them out on the right side of the fabric. Why would that be?And does it matter?

"lay pieces on wrong side of fabric following layout" means to lay out the pattern pieces just like the diagram on the guide sheet. Follow in this case doesn't mean "following the leader"; it means "follow the directions". If that makes sense? I pin the pattern pieces to the right side of the fabric when cutting out. That makes it easier to match designs and plaids and to transfer any markings from the pattern piece to both wrong sides of the fabric at the same time. But fake fur has to be laid out and cut on the wrong side.

http://sewing.about.com/od/techniques/ss/sewingfur.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_2106522_cut-sew-fake-fur.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkuZ5m_yS8g

On laying out the pattern pieces and cutting:

http://sewing.about.com/library/lessons/bllesson6.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_5222_lay-sewing-pattern.html
http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/...attern-layouts

[aztraea]

Originally Posted by sewchris2642

"lay pieces on wrong side of fabric following layout" means to lay out the pattern pieces just like the diagram on the guide sheet. Follow in this case doesn't mean "following the leader"; it means "follow the directions". If that makes sense?

Pinned, cut, and body is sewn! Thanks for the help!!

[funkymamajoy]

You're welcome. Don't forget to post pictures when it's done.