Thursday, April 6, 2017

Thrifty Thursday - Homemade Sewing Patterns

When I was living with Grandma as a young girl, I consistently observed her re-use, recycle and up-cycle all sorts of things.  But I was always most impressed by her skills at the sewing table.  One thing she did that I found so very impressive was gratefully accepting bags of old clothing that others had donated and re-using the buttons, hooks & eyes, zippers, biased tape, etc. out of those old clothes.  She also re-used all the fabric from those old clothes.  Fabrics that were not torn or stained were used for sewing projects, often a certain  little girl's clothing.  The stained or tattered fabrics were cut into cleaning and mop rags.
The second impressive talent she displayed at the sewing table was making homemade sewing patterns.  Although I observed Grandma make some pretty intricate, multi-pieced patterns, my tutorial of simple a baby's bib describes the 5 basic steps to making a homemade sewing pattern.

Step 1 - You'll need some sort of paper for your pattern.  I personally prefer recycled packing paper, but  paper grocery bags and newspaper also work well.



Step 2 - Use a hot dry iron to make the paper of your choice as smooth as possible.  If using newspaper, the heat from a dry iron will "set" the newsprint so you won't have to worry about it rubbing off onto the fabric.
 


Step 3 - Draw the pattern, adding a 1/2 inch, onto the paper.  I used a store bought bib that I had saved from when I used to babysit and traced around it.  Very IMPORTANT, when tracing or drawing out your pattern, make sure you draw the cutting lines an extra 1/2 in. larger than the finished product for seem allowances.
 


Step 4 - Cut out the pattern pieces.
 


Step 5 - Label the pattern pieces making sure to note any special instructions.
 


Most of my homemade patterns are simple 1-4 piece patterns, not any more complicated than this baby's bib.  But the process of making a multi-pieced pattern, is the same 5 steps for each pattern piece. 

 As a girl I watched my grandma make large multi-pieced patterns for intricate articles of clothing and many other items.  With the high price of sewing patterns often costing more than a store bought item, I think taking the time to make homemade patterns is a very thrifty practice.




9 comments:

  1. I recently bought a thrifted Laura Ashley gown that I am brainstorming how to make a pattern for. I think I can...

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting, Little Penpen. The key to making more complicated patterns is making sure every piece of your finished garment is duplicated onto paper, remembering to ADD 1/2 inch for seam allowances. I am confident you will do a great job!
      Blessings,
      Mrs.B

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  2. I love this post. TEACH ME TEACH ME!! I wish I could have got to meet your Grandma! Thank God you remember all that she taught you. Goes to show, the kids are watching us in all that we do.

    I love you!
    Mrs. A

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    Replies
    1. Hello Mrs.A,

      I so very much wish you could have met my Grandma as well. I think you would have loved her as much as I.
      Looking forward to seeing you soon!
      Mrs.B

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  3. I came over from Laura's blog Harvest Lane Cottage.
    Not so long ago, she & I "talked" about me needing bigger neck size bibs for my grand baby.
    Well, I never got around to it.
    But now that I've seen your post, I think I could do this, only alternate neck size.
    Having another grand in August, so hoping to make a few for this one before he comes.
    Grand number one is now pulling off everything we try and put on him, smile.
    Four diapers today alone, do too late for bib for him, he would never leave it alone.
    Thank you for posting.
    I think your grandma must have been a very resourceful lady.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Annie,
      I had to chuckle when I read about your grandbaby pulling all his clothes off ... as our caboose did that for more than a year! I thank you for visiting my blog and I hope you've enjoyed your time.
      Blessings,
      Mrs.B

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  4. Great idea on making the homemade patterns. I have a favorite cobbler style apron that I wear all the time and I want to make more of them using my current apron as a pattern. Thank you for the tutorial!

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    1. Good Afternoon Mrs. Debbie,

      Cobbler style aprons are so very cute. I hope you post a photo of the finished apron. Thanks for visiting today.
      Blessings,
      Mrs.B

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  5. I love this! What a great idea. It is amazing the skills and wisdom from grandmother's day that has just about been lost to this generation.

    I hope you are doing well!

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Thank you for taking time to read my blog and leave a comment. I try my best to respond to each one. God Bless You, Mrs.B