Should a beginner at sewing always start with patterns?

Question

Do you think starting with commercial patterns helps or hinders a creative sewer?

I never said anything about becoming a designer

Answer 1

I believe creativity grows best when it has a sound basis on craft. You don't need a pattern to learn how to hem. You don't need a pattern to learn how to seam. You will need either a manual or a very patient teacher. Manuals are less expensive.

I believe you will learn more quickly by altering things than by beginning from scratch. You can re-do seams without constructing an entire garment. You can shorten a hem or convert a longer garment into a top to practice hemming.

With some practice at hand-sewing and/or machine sewing, you'll develop confidence. Then you decide whether you'll go to patterns next or directly to pattern-drafting manuals.

The traditional first Home Ec. project was hemming, either a tea towel (dish towel) or a handkerchief. We followed written directions, rather than a printed pattern.

Answer 2

I don't sew much anymore, but I used to make costumes and most of my own clothes. I needed some kind of pattern for everything except a skirt or a shawl or other things that didn't have sleeves, or crotches or necks on them. I could use something I already had for instance, like a blose that fit the way I liked, and then just lay it down on the fabric, draw with chalk and cut it out. I doubt I could do that now, but I stopped sewing when I got a job in an office because it's a big pain to make constructed jackets. That's about 17 years ago. If you sew a lot and have the kind of brain that's good at figuring things out you can probably make a lot of things without a pattern. Armholes and crotches don't allow for much experimentation.

Answer 3

Yes. Always start with a good pattern. No, it doesn't hinder creativity. I teach sewing to beginners, and my most popular class is "beginners in crisis" and the biggest mistake beginners make is thinking they can go it alone and wing it without a pattern or any instructions. Even copying a garment you own is no substitute for what a good beginner pattern can teach a willing student. It does not hinder creativity in the least. Some of the most creative sewing experts in the business always work with commercial patterns. Creativity comes in what you do with the pattern, whether you make it look exactly like the picture on the envelope, or if you add your own personal touches.

Creative sewers will be as creative with a pattern as without. Indeed, there are far more options for a creative person in the beginning as the difficult part, making the pieces for a halfway decent garment, is taken out of the equation. With the hard and boring stuff out of the way a creative person can concentrate on making even the simplest pattern unique. Even something as simple as fabric choice will make a commercial pattern as unique as the person making it. I encourage all my students to add one unique and creative touch to even their first time sewing project, even if it's just coloured top stitch thread.

Making garments that look and fit well from the start without a pattern or any type of guide is next to impossible. You need to learn grain lines and how they relate to fit and where they must be located on the body and on the pattern pieces for a garment to look and hang well. You need to understand how to transform the three dimensional human shape into two dimensions. You need to learn what goes into constructing a garment that doesn't fall apart when its worn. It would be like attempting to build a house without any plans, simply by copying the house across the street without ever picking up a book or guide on house building. Yes, I know a skirt isn't a split level ranch...but the principle is similar.

If you are a beginner, use commercial patterns and add your own creativity to each item you make. Pay attention to each step, and adjust things, turn a dart to a pleat, turn a pleat to gathers, widen the pleat to make more gathers, pay attention to what's going on as you sew, cut and fit. That's how I learned, that how most learn. So no, a commercial pattern doesn't inhibit creativity, it can enhance creativity.

Answer 4

a beginner sewer should start with some basic lessons or by getting a good book on the subject, but if you must start with a pattern then a commercial pattern is good because it gives you detailed instructions on how to cut fabric and put the pieces together.

A creative sewer will find inspiration from all types of things - patterns, pictures in magazines and different types of fabrics and embellishments available.

Answer 5

when i first started sewing i started with a very basic shorts pattern in my size. Once i finished the shorts and tried them on i was very pleased with myself and my confidence grew. soon i was sewing different colored shorts and adding pockets and bands at the bottom of the legs. Then i progressed to pants which i found very quickly were just a longer version of shorts so i was excited that i could make these with ease. Pants and shorts are the easiest things to start with, i think, because they are pretty much a straight sew besides overlocking of course but in some cases they can be sewn on the overlocker alone. I made track pants for my daughter when she was a baby and she had different colors with frills and pockets and bits and pieces added.

once the confidence builds then try a basic top pattern and once you master it, add or remove sleeves from it, make a vest or jumper, these things are just adjustments from a basic top pattern.

good luck, i hope this helps

Answer 6

Yes I think a beginner should start with patterns.
They will taught the basics as a matter of facts Patterns for Dummies are perfect. I used them for my daughter she learned to sew on a machines at 7:00pm

Answer 7

Starting with a pattern labeled "easy" or "beginner" will make it less likely that you will have to give up in frustration. Creativity only comes into play after you learn the basics. You use creativity to take basics to another level.
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Answer 8

I like young ladies in jeans. It makes them look more city like and it doesn't look like they try too much but if you are trying to get this men attention, this might not be what you would like

Answer 9

I really do enjoy using long skirts occasionally. They are simply actually more comfortable than Trousers and also not as hot to wear.

Answer 10

With the Creative Feet, workbook and DVD and some extra cash to buy some cheap T'shirts or take a look in your closet, you can learn to sew a more creative way... by simply changing ready-made items... This builds confidence and leads to learning garment construction, wearable art, quilting and much more. For more information on these and to view a YouTube video on the feet visit www.creativefeet.com We are also in the beginning Beta testing phase of a new site dedicated to teaching sewing to anyone around the world for as little as $5.00/US per class! www.wwsewing.com come join for free now!