Joy Jordan & Tiffany BrowningJoy Jordan, Extension 4-H Youth Development Specialist and Tiffany Browning, 4-H Project Coordinator, Department of Family Youth & Community Sciences

Mapping Your Way through Pattern Layout

A vital part of being able to sew is

understanding how to read the pattern.

4-H Pattern 1234-5

Reading the Pattern Envelope

1. Choose what length you want your shorts to be.

2. Based on the length and size you want, determine the amount of fabric you will need.

3. Pay attention to what fabrics are suggested as well as what notions are needed.

The pattern contains several parts:

Mapping Your Way through Pattern Layout

–Cutting layout–Directions

Learning the Layout Legend

A white pattern piece indicates that the piece is to be cut with the pattern

instruction facing up.

Learning the Layout Legend

A shaded piece should be cut with pattern instruction face

down.

Learning the Layout LegendWith the Nap

Provides layouts for fabrics with one-way designs, nap, pile or other fabric characteristic

that must be placed the same way. If your pattern calls for the fabric to be placed with the nap then the pattern pieces need to be

layed out on the fabric in the same direction.

Figuring Out Fabric Placement

• Lengthwise Fold – fabric is folded in half lengthwise with the right sides together.

• Crosswise Fold – fabric is folded in half crosswise with right sides together.

Figuring Out Fabric Placement

• Double Fold – fabric is folded in half along the lengthwise grain.

• Partial Fold – fabric is folded on the lengthwise grain, right sides together only wide enough to fit the widest pattern piece.

Layout LingoPattern on the Fold

Place the pattern piece on the fold. This is indicated by a long bracket with arrows at each end.

Place on fold

Layout LingoGrainline

Pattern pieces should be placed straight along the grain of the fabric. This is shown on the pattern by

a heavy solid line with arrows at each end.

Pattern Symbols

This symbol indicates where a button hole should go.

Parallel lines indicate where to lengthen or shorten the piece.

Pattern Symbols

Dots help match seams and other details.

Notches help match pattern pieces to be joined.

Arrows on the seam line show direction for stitching.

Solid lines at the edge are the cutting lines.

Dashed lines are the seam line.

Most pattern pieces will have the same symbols.

Do It Yourself

Use the pattern given to you and see if you can lay it out correctly on the fabric.