There a few things to think about when you decide to sew a garment for yourself. You can do a free-lance design, recreate something you own or go with a purchased pattern. If you choose to do the latter there are a few things to consider.

Body type

My mom used to say “everything ain’t for everybody”. In this case every garment is not for every BODY! When you walk into a store you may see something that you love. You may try it on and discover that it just does not look the same. The same goes for a pattern. When you are looking to purchase a pattern consider the cut of the garment and your body type. For instance if you can’t go without a bra or wear strapless bras, you may not want to purchase a backless or strapless item. Also read your pattern because they are usually not one size fits all. The patterns are labeled for size. Make sure the patter you choose is available in your size.

Pattern Company

Not all companies are created equal. Some pattern companies have gained the reputation of not being user-friendly for beginners. Vogue for instance is known to be for more advanced sewists. If you have a question most fabric stores will be inclined to help. After all if you enjoy your experience with that pattern you are likely to come back for more.

Fabric choice

When looking at the back of a pattern it will tell you the recommended fabric type. If you are a beginner, I’d recommend that you stick to the suggestion. If you know that certain fabric does not work for you, move on to a pattern that is better suited for you.

Wardrobe function

Why buy a pattern and make a garment that you are not going to wear. Make sure the pattern is something that you can work into your wardrobe.

Cost

I like to buy my patterns from the fabric store when they are on sale. You can sometimes find a $20 pattern for $1. Th pattern company websites also have sales; however I have found them to be more expensive than waiting for a sale at Hancock.