Choosing and Preparing a Pattern

Tip - When making a dress, buy the pattern size to fit your bust measurement, as it is easier to alter waist and hip measurements later than to alter the bust line. When choosing a skirt or trouser/pants pattern, buy the size to fit your hip measurement, as waist size can be more easily altered than the hip - particularly for fitted skirts. Tip - When you have selected the pattern pieces needed, iron each one with a warm iron to flatten each piece and remove any fold lines. Prepare the pattern by reading the instructions, and then check each piece by pinning onto the adjusted dress model. Make any alterations necessary to personalise the pattern to your body e.g. lengthen or shortening the waist. (See Fig 3). It will also give you an opportunity to identify pattern guides - notches, dots and lines marking folds, pleats, position of buttons, pockets, etc. Tip - Patterns allow for ease of body movement in garments, so be careful not to fit too tightly at any stage in making up. If possible, decide on the finished length of the garment before purchasing the fabric. If the required length is shorter than the pattern suggests you may be able to save on fabric, or you may need more fabric if your finished garment is to be longer than the pattern indicates. Check the length of other garments in your wardrobe. This will help you determine the fashion look you want.