Today’s National Sewing Month Project (a video lesson!) is brought to you by Angel Peterson from FleeceFun.
This free beginning sewing lesson is quick and easy to understand. In this video, Angel Peterson from give you all the tips and tricks on how to read a sewing pattern. It’s a must for sewists of all levels. You will learn how all the parts of the pattern can affect your fabric and thread choice, and more. There is plenty of learn here, and by the time you are finished with the lesson, you’ll have a firm grasp on how to read a sewing pattern and you’ll be able to walk into the fabric store prepared and ready to choose the perfect pattern for your project.
Here are a few of our favorite printable patterns from AllFreeSewing.
Free-Printable-Sewing-Patterns : This massive collection has a project for your every sewing need.
One-Hour-Free-Apron-Patterns : These free apron patterns make perfect gifts!
Parisienne-Drape-Dress-Pattern : Simple and stunning, you must try it!
Peekaboo-Plush-Turtle : STAFF FAVORITE!
Summery-Free-T-Shirt-Pattern : Perfect all-year-round if you ask us.
We hope that this lesson has helped you learn how to read a sewing pattern, and you’re full of confidence and ready to start your first big project.
Today’s prize is a great ergonomic rotary cutter and some Poly-Fun! You won’t believe all the things you can make with this stuff!
Do you prefer traditional tissue paper patterns or printables?
Official Rules for Daily Contest
- There is a maximum of one entry per person. The entry will be based upon a comment left on this blog post. Duplicate comments will be deleted and are not tallied.
- Winner will be selected at random from the comments on this blog post below.
- You have until tonight, September 21th, 2015 at 11:59p EST to leave your comment on this post. Comments posted after that will not be counted.
- Contest open to anyone 18+ in US and/or Canada.
Enter daily for your chance to win the National Sewing Month 2015 Grand Prize Giveaway.
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- 8 Retro Patterns for Christmas You Have to Make! - November 26, 2021
- Christmas Sewing Projects: DIY Christmas Stockings - November 25, 2021
I prefer traditional tissue paper patterns for ease of use, but honestly also love printable for the convenience of having it “now”
I guess I am old-school and still prefer the tissue paper patterns. I am most familiar with them and know how to adjust and maneuver them. Putting together PDF patterns is often like a nightmare puzzle!
I prefer traditional patterns for larger items, but for doll clothing I prefer the digital patterns. I only have to print out the pattern pieces and can follow the instructions digitally.
I prefer traditional tissue paper patterns but I bet the other are nice too.
I think they both have a place. If it’s a dress or shirt I’m making I want traditional. If it’s a craft the paper is better.
Definitely traditional patterns…
I prefer traditional patterns. Thanks!
I actually like both types of patterns. Thanks for the great giveaway.
I like traditional patterns best.
Traditional is definitely the way to go 🙂
I prefer traditional because of the weight of the paper.
Since I’ve been around when dinosaurs roamed the earth, I prefer the traditional tissue patterns. I learned how to sew in Home Economics class (mandatory “back in the day”) and that was is stuck in my head.
I can tell you that my cat prefers the traditional tissue paper patterns. If I turn my back for a second he eats them or tears them apart with glee. So its printable PDF patterns for me if I want to get anything sewn.
I prefer tissue paper patterns, although if the PDF designers would make their patterns printable for only one size at a time, I would prefer those! It’s very difficult to piece all the pieces together AND try to figure out the lines for each size, and since I’m a small size, there is so much waste of paper.
I like printables as they can be printed again in another size if necessary without the need for tracing etc x
I like tissue patterns. Much easier to use.
I like tissue patterns
I would say traditional, but having patterns in a PDF file on my computer is awesome.
I prefer traditional tissue paper patterns.
I’ve not tried to print a digital pattern yet honestly, so by default that would mean I prefer traditional tissue patterns. Setting up the software and piecing the digital pattern together is intimidating.
I prefer traditional tissue paper patterns. All the PDF pattern folding, matching, and taping for larger pattern pieces just doesn’t cut it with me.
Tissue patterns.
Printables- I can get it at my leasure (feel like pattern shopping and then sewing at 10pm- no problem!) and I can print them out as many times as I want (or need). Thanks!
I definitely prefer the traditional tissue patterns for clothing, although I will use printables for quilt patterns and small craft projects.
I’ve never had a preference. My favorite type of pattern is the kind you draft right on to the fabric.
I have only used traditional patterns but think the printed ones have their place in any sewing room.
I prefer traditional tissue patterns, although printed ones would be fine for small projects.
I have only used traditional. I don’t like having to tape pattern sheets together.
I like printable patterns for projects with small pieces. I prefer tissue pattern for projects that pieces larger than 8 1/2 by 11.
Tissue paper patterns still work for me.
I still use tissue paper patterns. Thanks!
I prefer the tradition patterns for clothing.
I prefer traditional patterns. I do a lot of garment sewing for my daughter.
Dmac5958ataoldotcom
For ease, I like tissue… the paper patterns = cutting, folding, pasting and frustration if your printer doesn’t work!
I actually transfer most patterns to the brown wropping/kraft paper or freezer paper last longer and I save my tissue 🙂
I prefer the traditional tissue patterns, I really don’t like to have to tape pattern pieces together to get the whole piece that I need. But then, I’m pretty set in my ways, I’ve been using tissue for over 50 years. Thanks.
I love the printable patterns for the more simple items, but prefer the old fashioned ones for the more complex designs!
I like the tissue patterns, but for something small to be able to print quickly–like a wallet is great!
I think tissue paper patterns are best for me.
I’m not good with ANYTHING computerized,
and adjusting the size would be easier, the PDF
is only in one size.
.
I’d love to win the rotary cutter,
so my wrists won’t hurt so much.
Having arthritis, anything that would
cause less pain would be great! . . .
The Poly Fun would be an added bonus
I have a problem with both .
Tissue rips and just will not stand up more than two times and if I like the pattern I have to renforce it. The plus side it is playable to the body.
Print out is more durable but not as flexible as tissue . Pluse sometimes when printed it won’t match up right and I have to redraft some lines. The up side is that there is a lot of free indie patterns to fined , and is a lot cheaper than store bought.O and you can get one pattern instead a hole set that won’t be used.
I’d have to say tissue since I transfer downloads to tissue paper anyway. One more step but easier to addle in the long run.
I prefer the traditional patterns as I dont have a printer. I also find the heavier paper harder to pin and can’t see fabric design thru it.
I prefer printables they dont rip as easy. 🙂
I too prefer tissue patterns. they take up less space and can be folded neatly away.
I prefer old fashion tissue when making something intricate and detailed. The printed ones are fine for smaller and simple patterns.
I still prefer the traditional paper patterns. Thanks for the chance to win!
Still prefer the tissue paper pattern.
I prefer tissue paper patterns and really hope I win this contest !!!!! Please pick me I’m a big fan and enter all the contests
I prefer the tissue also, prob because that is what I know and am familar with. 🙂
craftyccain@gmail.com
Depends on the pattern. I prefer traditional paper patterns for larger projects, like clothes patterns. Small things like toys, I can print myself.
I have always used tissue patterns and love that they fold up into a small space. Newspaper tears very easily and can be a major pain. Computer patterns are ok for small projects, but take a lot of paper and ink. My current preference for the adjusted patterns is plastic grocery or garbage bag. You can write on it easily and it doesn’t tear much. Just don’t iron it!
I like tissue patterns better because they are easier to pin, and don’t use up printer ink. Thanks for the pattern tips and the chance to win!
I use the tissue patterns when making clothing but use the computer for most of my quilting.
Design most of my quilts on the computer allows so many possibilities.
Dee
Definitely the traditional. The digital take too much time and effort.
I like the printables better but will use whatever format they come in if the project is something I want to make.
I’m glad to get the digital patterns. I like browsing through the patterns online. Thank you for this convenience.
When I was a kid my mom sewed all of her clothes and some of mine. I remember the tissue paper patterns. And today as I begin sewing I prefer the tissue paper as well. It adds a bit of nostalgia.
I prefer traditional patterns because I usually design most of my items and I combine different pieces from different patterns.
I have not used a digital pattern yet, but I am looking forward to trying my first one!
I mainly use printable patterns
I actually prefer the tissue patterns because they are so easy to adjust; however, I have a program that prints patterns for the measurements you enter, and I get a pattern that fits with very minor adjustments. Once you learn how to put them together, it isn’t hard. I’ve made several wedding gowns, bridesmaids gowns, and various other items using that program, so I guess it must be my very favorite!
I have no preference. I’ve worked with both. As long as I have a pattern of some sort when I need one, I’m happy!
I am hesitant to try printable patterns, since I am sort of beginning sewer – I’ve made lots of crafty type things that fall under the “easy” category. I would love to win tools that will help me get better at sewing.
I have never tried digital I like the regular store bought pattern
Digital so i can save them to my cloud and have them for any time
I actually prefer tissue patterns – Printables are ok if you don’t have to align a bunch of pieces, but I find that if I do, it’s easier to trace. Much easier to store too!
I prefer traditional patterns. Thanks!
I prefer tissue paper patterns, I’m kinda old fashion, as I can tweek it. I’ve never used a printable pattern, guess I could try.
i like digital…then i can find them on my computer!
I prefer tissue paper patterns.
Have yet to try printable, so I like paper.
this would be so fun to get to work on and teach my daughter to sew also. ~!!
I really like traditional for large patterns. Printing for small patterns is fine.
I get my inspiration from what I see “online”, but when I cut patterns/sew I like traditional tissue. It’s my time away everything, even . I also don’t have to worry about “losing” a page which I have done when putting my downloaded patterns together…..
I’m just starting out & have only used tissue when learning to see years ago. Looking forward to having a machine of my own to learn which type I prefer, now that I have some time :)!
I prefer tissue paper patterns.
I am getting used to the downloadable PDF patterns – but for large items I like tissue patterns. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com