If you want to make your own clothes then sewing patterns are one of the best tools to help you get started. But like with using any new tool it can be a bit of a learning curve to get started. So in this video I'm here to help walk you through what to look for and what all the different elements are. We also cover some of the jargon and how to navigate the complicated looking instructions.

In this session I explain some of the jargon used on sewing pattern pieces, why you might want to trace off your sewing patterns and top tips to make that quick and easy to do. So if you have ever thought "What are all these triangles for and why do all these pieces have a two headed arrow on them?" then be sure to watch as I bust the jargon. For the equipment list check out this blog post: https://www.sewmuchmorefun.co.uk/post/1-2-pattern-jargon-and-top-tips-to-trace-off-patterns

In this Tuesday Techniques session why multi-size patterns are fabulous and how to pick the size or sizes that will give you the best fit. A common mistake that many beginner dressmakers make is to start cutting out the pattern size that seems to match the name of the size they would use to buy clothes in the shops. But each pattern company uses its own sizing chart and naming conventions to decide what they will call each pattern size and what measurements that relates to. Watch the video to find out more about what measurements you need and how to take them. We also go through an example of how to then pick the right pattern size for your measurements and then how to mark up the pattern if you need to use different pattern sizes. For details of the pattern used check out this blog post: https://www.sewmuchmorefun.co.uk/post/getting-the-most-from-multi-size-patterns

In this week's session I talk about one of my favourite fitting tools - the toile (pronounced "twahl"). This single tool has helped me save loads of money avoiding patterns that wouldn't suit me and helped me learn so much about fitting for my body shape and size. It was a revelation to me when I realised that making a mockup would be so beneficial and now I use it for each new pattern I try. So have you ever made anything that you end up not wearing because it doesn't suit you or the fit just isn't quite right? Have you ever regretted choosing style variation B instead of A? Well making a toile could be just the answer you are looking for.

Within this video playlist we are going to be exploring the common pattern adjustments I make regularly to improve the fit on different areas of the body. In this session I'll be covering some of the foundations of best practices for assessing fit and making adjustments and explaining what is ease and why it is important. These foundations are the building blocks so this video leads into the following videos in this playlist.

One of the most common adjustments that we make on sewing patterns is to lengthen and shorten pieces. It might seem like a simple adjustment but there are some elements to consider in terms of where to make the adjustment and also what to do when the pattern pieces then don't seem to fit together. As well as changing the finished length of a garment, lengthen and shorten adjustments can be used to reshape the garment and move key features such as the bust point, waist level and hip position. In this Tuesday Techniques session I explain - how to assess where to make your adjustment as you are not limited to just using the lengthen/shorten line on the pattern - what aspects of the pattern piece to consider when making your adjustment - the importance of replicating your adjustments on any related pieces such as facings

In this Tuesday Techniques session we look at how you can make adjustments to the shoulders on a sewing pattern. Getting a good fit on the shoulders is really important as many garments hang from here and poor fit affects the way that the neckline, armholes and bodice sit when worn. We cover how to measure your own shoulder length and slope, how to make adjustments to shorten or lengthen the pattern at the shoulder and how to adjust the slope if you have more square or more sloping shoulders than the pattern was designed for.

In this session we cover how to change a sewing pattern if you are not a B cup size and the pattern doesn't offer different cup sizes. We talk about how to measure your bust, make a full bust adjustment or small bust adjustment on a simple bodice pattern piece. For more Tuesday Technique videos visit https://sewmuchmorefun.co.uk/blog-1 or go to our Facebook page https://facebook.com/sewmuchmorefun where you can ask questions and get help on any of the aspects covered in this tutorial.