Do you know of any easy sewing patterns?

Question

i plan to go to walmart this weekend and get an sewing pattern (mccall or simplicity). Im a beginner sewer and i need one thats real easy to cut and sew together. if you used any that were real easy please tell me!!!

Answer 1

If you want to make an item of clothing, I'd suggest sleep pants, sleep shirt, nightgown or robe -- why?  Because you will make some mistakes, and it's nicer to be able to wear whatever you make anyhow. <g>

Simplicity 9505 or 5314 are a couple of possibilities, as is 4633 (scrub pants and top with cut-on sleeves).

The ladies in the Walmart fabric section usually are quite experienced in sewing -- ask them to help you find fabric that is easy to work with, like a stable cotton broadcloth or an interlock knit that is suitable for the pattern you choose.  Silky stuff and very stretchy stuff is best left for another day.  

I'm not the best at picking commercial patterns, as I usually draft or drape my own, and I usually send beginners to KwikSew's Kwik Start patterns first -- but if you get stuck (pattern directions are often written in patternese), I'm sure there will be folks here who can help you translate.  I should be around most of the weekend, and you're welcome to email me.

Oh!  Very important!  Your pattern size will be larger than the sizes you're used to buying in ready to wear.  Buy by your measurements, not by what you think you need from "store clothes" sizes.

Some helps:

http://sewing.about.com/od/beginner1/Beg...

Answer 2

The pattern books all have a section called Easy Sew. Sometimes they are on a display rack.  Start with a nightie or  shorty PJ's. It will give you practice sewing and if they aren't perfect, only you will know. If you choose cotton fabric, make sure you wash and iron it first. Buy good thread (not cheap) . There is nothing worse than having thread break when sewing. There are lots of web

sites to help. Just type in what you want. Try youtube also and get yourself a sewing book for beginners.

Answer 3

Look for patterns labeled "easy," "beginner," "simple to sew" and wilth similar terms.  

The difference among these terms? Different pattern companies use different terms to mean the same thing.

Answer 4

When I teach students how to sew, I have them use guidelines for picking a begining pattern.

The guidelines for an easy pattern:

-no more than four pattern pieces

-no zippers or buttons

- no princess seams (The seams that go down the front of some garments from your b*****s to your waist, to provide shaping)

- darts are sort of iffy : if you are good at following directions in other crafts, you will probably be able to do them.  If craft directions often confuse you : avoid them.

-no fitted waist bands

-avoid sewing with knits for your first project, unless you have access to a serger.

-avoid slippery, stretchy, or very heavy fabrics for your first project - cotton is good for your starter project.  Cotton tends to behave.

-Avoid vogue patterns, (Pricey and always have things more complicated than neccessary) but check out New Look - they have some nice looking stuff that is easy.

Pick a pattern you like - if you aren't fond of it, you won't wear it, and it will be wasted effort.

The same goes for fabric - pick fabric you like.  If it's an ugly color, the garment will be an ugly color, and no amount of skill will fix it. Go for something you really like, and you will like your finished garment more.

A pattern for shorts, pants, or skirt with an elastic waist band is usually good.  Also patterns for basic vests are also good - just don't put any button holes on it for now, and once you get a little more experience, you can go back and do them.  In the meantime, wear the vest open.

These guidelines will help you pick out a pattern you can be successful with.

If you can go to the library and check out a sewing reference book it will help tons.  The reader digest one is good.  The McCalls one is also good.  There is one by Nancy Zieman that is also good.  I'm sure there are other good ones out there as well.

Answer 5

If there is a JoAnn fabrics by you patterns are going to be on sale for two bucks next week.

Simplicity has a couple of patterns called Sewing for Dummies. I would use one of those for your first time.