Perfect Pattern Matching: Plaids, Stripes And Beyond

September 26, 2023 by Shellie Wilson Leave a Comment

In this class, popular sewing instructor Amy Alan is here to help you create garments that look better than anything you’ll find on the rack. She starts by showing you how to choose the right sewing pattern for plaids, stripes, or prints and how to estimate the yardage you’ll need. From there, she guides you through the process of tracing your pattern pieces to ensure that your patterns match across seams.

But the fun doesn’t stop there! Amy takes you beyond the basics of pattern matching and shows you how to identify the type of stripes or plaids you’re working with, and how to create pattern layouts for matching these and other patterns with confidence. And for those who want to go the extra mile, Amy even shows you how to use the bias grain of your fabric to create pockets, plackets, and cuffs.

With step-by-step guidance on how to match patterns as you sew straight seams, curved seams, and even invisible zipper seams, this class is the ultimate guide to perfect pattern matching. So, whether you’re an experienced sewer or just starting out, this tutorial will help you take your skills to the next level.

Amy Alan is a talented instructor who teaches sewing at Modern Domestic in Portland, Ore., and blogs at Really Handmade. She’s been crafting since she was a child and has always had a passion for turning the everyday into art. So, what are you waiting for? Join Amy in the “Perfect Pattern Matching: Plaids, Stripes & Beyond” video tutorial and start creating garments that are truly one-of-a-kind!

Next Pattern:

Have you read?

DIY Kids Gingerbread House Bag with Free Pattern

I am just smitten with this felt gingerbread house bag. This would make such a sweet special Christmas accessory for a kid. It’s a free pattern at Benzie Design, designed by Gracie from Hello Gracie Makes. It’s packed with adorable gingerbread house details, like swirls and stripes and scallops adoring the doors and windows.

And while all those details might seem like this would be a complicated pattern, it’s actually not. The bag itself is made from felt, which makes finishes edges unnecessary. (All of those scalloped edges are just cut from felt, no edge finishing required.) The strap is super simple, made from rope with knotted ends. And all those details are made with some basic hand embroidery stitches. Sparkle felt makes it extra cute.

The striped scallop roof is actually the top flap of the bag. A magnetic snap makes it a secure closure. The rope straps are attached through felt loops at the side of the bag.

They rate this project as an intermediate level, and it should take about 6 hours to make start to finish. That’s doable for a Saturday project or a couple of evenings. Full color photos step you through the entire process.

The project includes a shopping list for all of your supplies. They’ve got a shop so you can order all of them from Benzie if you like and get exactly the supplies used in the project. I noticed it includes a pair of scallop shears, which makes cutting all the scalloped edges for the roof and around the door a breeze.

Finished dimensions of the little felt gingerbread bag are approximately 6 ½” wide x 7 ½” tall. That’s the perfect size to hold a small book, a small toy, or a notepad and some cute pens.

Go to Benzie Design to get the tutorial and free pattern for the felt gingerbread house bag.

Next Pattern:

Have you read?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply