Home >> Hobbies >> Sewing

How to Cut Out a Pattern

Cutting out a pattern is often the first step to making a sewing project. Having a pattern (and fabric) that’s cut properly can help make the sewing go much more smoothly later on. It’s best to use separate pairs of scissors for cutting paper and fabric, since paper can rapidly dull the blades. It also helps to have a large, flat surface to work on. If you don’t have a big table, you can buy a folding cardboard mat that you can put on the floor or a bed. These mats often have grids with measurements printed on them, which can also be helpful fabric cutting guides.

Things You'll Need

Pattern
Scissors
Flat surface
Fabric
Straight pins
Iron (optional)
Dressmaker’s chalk (optional)

Instructions

Cut Out and Prepare the Pattern
- 1
  Unfold the pattern sheets and place them on a large, flat surface.
- 2
  Use your hands to smooth out any wrinkles in the pattern paper.
- 3
  Cut out the pattern pieces you need. Many patterns have more than one cutting line for various sizes, so be sure to follow the line for the size you need.
- 4
  Follow the directions on the pattern for any special cutting instructions. For example, you may want to cut any triangle or double-triangle markings on the edges of the pattern as if they were sticking out from the pattern. This makes them easier to find and line up later.
- 5
  Use a cool (very low-temperature) iron to gently press the pattern pieces. This step is optional, but smooths out any remaining wrinkles and helps your patterns be more accurate.
Use the Pattern to Cut the Fabric Pieces
- 6
  Buy enough fabric to cut out all the pattern pieces you need, following the chart on the pattern envelope or directions. Be sure to notice that different widths of fabric (such as 44 or 60 inches) and fabrics with or without a nap (or print that has to be used in a particular direction) will require different yardages.
- 7
  Wash and iron the fabric, if needed.
- 8
  Lay the fabric on a large, flat surface.
- 9
  Fold the fabric in half right sides together unless instructed otherwise by the pattern directions.
- 10
  Place the pattern pieces on the fabric following the layout guide in the pattern directions. Be sure to place any pattern pieces on the fold that need to be, and line up the grainline of each piece (usually marked on patterns with an arrow) with the grainline of the fabric.
- 11
  Pin each pattern piece to the fabric. Depending on the complexity of the pattern, you may need to cut several pieces, then refold the fabric, or cut some pattern pieces more than once.
- 12
  Carefully cut out each piece of fabric, cutting as close to the edge of the patterns as possible.
- 13
  Remove the pins from the patterns, or leave them pinned to the fabric until you’re ready to use them so you know what each piece is for.
- 14
  Use dressmaker’s chalk to copy any markings on the patterns (such as dots that mark the placement of a pocket or zipper) to the fabric. If you don’t have dressmaker’s chalk, you can use a small pin, or refer to the pattern when you come to that stage of the project.

Sewing