...who uses a pattern?

Growing up my mother taught me to so by using a pattern. And you followed that pattern to the T!

As an adult I hate patterns. I know they can be useful but if I buy something that comes with a pattern, I don't make it. I can go online and read instructions but to go to a store and buy a pattern, I just don't do it anymore.

Of course there is a lot of trial and error with my new method (sometimes a lot of error!) but I think I learn a lot about how things go together. I also enjoy planning my attemps of making something. Right now I'm planning on a cape with a hood for my daughter (I found the cutest My Little Pony fleece) and I've been focused on how the heck I'm going to get that hood on that cape!

Just curious what everyone else does?

When I sew......HAHAHAHAHAH Sorry, just the thought of me sewing made me laugh!!!


I do quick repairs and such, but that is about it!

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~Happiness is a large family~

Yes, I often use a pattern, but I never follow it 'to a T'. Patterns aren't really meant to be used that way anyway. Every body is different, so the wonderful part of home sewing is being able to modify the pattern to exactly my body type. For instance, I'm short waisted so I always modify the bodice of my tops so the waist and hips hit where I want.

I'll also frequently take pattern pieces from one pattern and combine them with pieces from another pattern. For instance, I might prefer the bodice from on dress and the skirt from another and the sleeves from a completely different pattern. And I can always modify the pattern even further - making a v-neck on the bodice instead of a square neck, for instance.

Patterns help in planning the amount of fabric that is needed and the alignment of the cut lines. For instance, if I want to match lines on a plaid, it really helps to use a pattern.

I do frequently make simple items free-hand. I've made DD several fleece ponchos and capes. I'll make her nightgowns and pillowcase dresses free-hand. And I modify lots of her clothes such as turning pants into skirts when the legs get too short.

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

That's too funny!!!!!!!! I have NO CLUE how to sew. I can barely thread a needle!!!

No patterns for me! ugh. I don't know how to use a pattern (never tried) but my step mom wants to teach me how. She started to explain what she did while making a dress for my niece. I realized right then I didn't WANT to learn to use a pattern!! Maybe one day when I'm patient enough to learn....but not right now, for sure!!

I either figure out how to make it in my head & make my own pattern OR I use an existing item as a pattern (ex: pants.....I'll use a pair of my ds pants as a guide)

I just had 10 private sewing lessons so that I could learn how to sew from a pattern. The lessons also taught me many techniques that I will need to employ when not using a pattern.

I was taught to use patterns, but I don't use them anymore because they are too expensive. I do make my own patterns using newspapers. It helps me cut straighter.