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Friday, March 29, 2013

Sewing with Patterns: Yaay! or Nay

Sewing Poll: Sewing with Patterns
Pumpkin Pie Dress Free Pattern
Pumpkin Pie Dress Free Pattern
During the three years I have been sewing in US, I have tried a lot of methods...sewing with paper patterns from big companies like Simplicity and Ottobre, sewing with E-Patterns, sewing with free e-patterns, sewing without a pattern and drafting and publishing my own sewing patterns. Of course I have my own preferences but first I am curious to know what you think.

How do you like to sew?
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17 comments:

  1. premar88March 30, 2013 at 4:00 PM

    I am horrible sewer so I would have to say with patterens its cooking with a recipe for begginers

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  2. deedeeMarch 30, 2013 at 4:02 PM

    I am a second time beginner and am still learning how to sew clothes and in what order. I use paper patterns because I don't know how not to.

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  3. BarbaraShowellMarch 31, 2013 at 12:43 AM

    you had no multiple option! I've been sewing since about 1973, with a good 15 year break or so until last year. The internet and grandchildren revived my interest. I am loving downloadable patterns and my favorite so far is one I paid for, though I have liked some free ones. I'm just learning to draft my own. No one ever suggested to me that could be an option in the past. No I think I will probably use my already considerable pattern stash for modifying into what I want to sew.

    I have great admiration for you being a working mom and a sewer AND a blogger! I found you via a link to your reversable zen dress.

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  4. UnknownMarch 31, 2013 at 1:24 PM

    I am actually a knitter, but voted anyway :-) The extent of my sewing skills is weaving in yarn ends, seaming, and sewing on buttons. Your patterns are very cute, enjoyed looking at your site.
    ps - found you via the ProBlogger discussion writing exercise

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  5. BloomsandbugsApril 1, 2013 at 1:04 PM

    @Marty: That makes a lot of sense. Love your cooking analogy.
    @Unknown: I would say try sewing a simple full skirt. Thats a perfect example of sewing without a pattern. Something like this:
    http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2012/08/elastic-band-skirt-aka-the-fastest-skirt-youll-ever-make.html
    @Barbara: I know! but I wanted to know your most favorite way of sewing. Which downloadable pattern did you buy and like? Thanks! It is a good amount of juggling and sometimes I tend to pay too much attention to one thing but so far so good.
    @Meg: Thanks Meg! It was a good motivator!

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  6. Pam @Threading My WayApril 1, 2013 at 3:23 PM

    I like both downloadable PDFs and paper patterns. I prefer free PDFs but also buy them. The bought ones are generally, although not always, more comprehensive and have fewer mistakes. With PDFs, I can print the pattern, piece it together and just cut out the size I want. If I want to use it again in another size, I just print and piece another. I do dislike tracing the paper patterns, but I still use them anyway.

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  7. BloomsandbugsApril 1, 2013 at 3:42 PM

    Hi Pam,
    Thanks for your comment. Yeah! pdfs are definitely gaining popularity in the sewing community, faster and easier to store. My pet peeve with paper patterns is that the paper is so thin that its a pain to store them.

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  8. PalakApril 1, 2013 at 8:29 PM

    I prefer pattern free, it's just a bit easier for me. If I do use a pattern I prefer paper, since we don't have a printer.

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  9. BloomsandbugsApril 2, 2013 at 7:05 AM

    @Palak: That's my favorite too.

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  10. Jaya PratheeshApril 2, 2013 at 1:34 PM

    if i have a model in hand ( for example, my daughter) then i always draft my own pattern. if i am sewing for someone else, i prefer to sew with a fixed pattern, usually printed off the net.

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  11. BloomsandbugsApril 2, 2013 at 1:56 PM

    @Jaya: Thanks for your comment.
    I tried that once but my niece turned out to be a lot smaller than the paper pattern I used. Since then I usually stick to pattern free and adjustable clothing when I sewing for someone else. It worked well for my etsy store too.

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  12. UnknownApril 2, 2013 at 6:14 PM

    I don't really sew, but when my gf does she uses paper initially and then goes from there.

    If I were to do it myself, I would probably use paper because I am not a pro sewer.

    Having said that, once one became more competent getting away from the paper is possible.

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  13. BloomsandbugsApril 3, 2013 at 11:08 AM

    @lain: Thanks for your comment.
    That makes a lot of sense. Yeah that is how most sewing enthusiast go about sewing here. However, it was quite different back home in India.

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  14. EuforillaApril 4, 2013 at 5:44 AM

    Hi! Here from problogger :)

    I didn't cast a vote in the poll because I'd go with a multiple answer: a bit of this and that!
    I have to say thought that, when I've used patterns, I've drafted my own... very often out of internet tutorials!!!

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  15. GayleApril 5, 2013 at 4:44 PM

    I like them all. I make my own pattern when the image in my mind doesn't match up with any pattern I find or already have, otherwise I use whatever cute ones I have or find. So I didn't vote either. ;)

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  16. JillApril 7, 2013 at 3:56 PM

    Sorry I missed the poll Anshu! I don't make a lot of clothes - but haven't used many patterns for clothes either - that's one thing I want to learn more of this year!

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  17. BloomsandbugsApril 8, 2013 at 4:01 PM

    @Euforilla, @Gayle: I think I will allow multiple answers if I ever do a poll again.
    @Jill: No worries. I am sure you will find sewing a lot of fun.

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Leave some sugar :)