I know I need to remember that a lot of you are not seamstresses and that is a whole different world from quilting.

Just remember to read the directions and take it step by step. If you can read quilt patterns you can read these patterns too. It can be frustrating I know. I've been sewing since I was a child and took 5 years of Home Economics in high school just to get a couple of new outfits to wear......LOL!

I'll help if you need me.

Linda D.

Totally agree. I learned to sew many moons ago and remember when the patterns were very clear. I'm laboring through a jumper for granddaughter and just don't understand the instructions for the yoke!!

I have always found sewing patterns to be very confusing and inaccurate. The sizing is way off, fabric amounts are way off... I always end up with something two sizes too big and a ton of leftover fabric. I made a poodle skirt for my daughter's Halloween costume when she was in first grade and I was careful to follow the chart on the pattern because I wanted to have the right size and enough fabric...the skirt was too big even for me (i'm no skinny minnie) and I had a lot of fabric left over, I'm just glad it was really cheap stuff. I've tried a number of other "easy" patterns over the years and have had the same problem so I have given up and taken up quilting because that's easy, it's mostly sewing a straight seam, right??? :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :| :| :|

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: Oh my gosh - did you hear me laughing - I still have the silliest grin on my face - will be with me the whole day - thanks - what a great way to start a Monday. I do agree - I can't read those sewing patterns either - they are greek to me.

Me, too, Linda. Money was always tight when I was young (she's says it pretending it's not tight now :shock: ) and I had to learn to sew to get clothing that wasn't used. I love all sewing and I'm glad to help anyone anytime I can.

Just pm or yell for me, sometimes I pick my head up and listen...

Sharon

ROFL!!! Too funny!

<sigh> I wish I could say I have no clue what you ladies are speaking of but I have to admit I'm with you all! Patterns for sewing clothing is like reading Greek for me. I don't read Greek so that should let you know where I stand. When I read a pattern, I get the distinct impression the person who wrote and designed it did so thinking that only experienced sewers would ever attempt the pattern. I'm considering taking a beginning sewing class with my daughter (anything to get her into sewing and closer to a quilting addiction!) so maybe there is still some hope for me.

I know what you're saying. Supposedly simplifying things often just makes them hard to understand. That's a sign of a poor pattern writer, IMHO.

I agree that it's likely a tuna can. Or it could be a bean dip can. Might not matter if you don't empty it as long as you don't open it. However, if you do open it, you probably should empty and then wash it thoroughly before inserting it into your pincushion. If you use an unopened bean dip can (the one with a pull tab to open) and if can can be easily removed from the pincushion, I'd suggest keeping a bag of tortilla chips handy in case you get a sudden snack attack while you're sewing. :lol:

Apologies for being silly!

I feel the same way...I can read quilting adn bag patterns but...clothing patterns I don't understand..i just made a scarf on friday night and a scarf is simple enough right?

Well the pattern had me taking so many steps just to cut it and attach beading...when if you have any experience at all you know you don't need templates or special folds...I kept asking my BFF why they are having us do it that way? Finally she says...they are probably not realizing they are DEALING with QUILTERS! we don't need all of this..who tests these patterns? SO we did it our own way and it came out perfect!

Quilting patterns are often like that too. I purchased a kit from a really nice quilt shop. It has wool applique leaves on it. I was very careful cutting out the leaves but still was short of the wool fabric. I had to drive quite a long ways to go back to the shop to get more fabric. The owner had designed the pattern. She said I should have put in my instructions to lay out all of the leaves before you cut any. I could have told her that she also left out several other instructions. I ask her if I could take a picture of the quilt as it was on display. She said that was okay as I had already purchased the pattern and kit. I am making the quilt from looking at that picture. I would hate to think what an unexpierenced quilter would do with that pattern.

I'm one of those seamstresses learning to be a quilter. I can usually read and understand those patterns and instructions. But, I glance through them and figure I know a better way. Arrogant, I know. My biggest downfall is that I'm always looking for the "shortcuts" which inevitably cause more problems and takes longer to fix than the time the shortcuts would have saved. These days, I try to force myself to become really familiar with the pattern BEFORE I pick up that rotary cutter. Seems to work a little better that way.