I have to make a cheat sheet as others have mentioned.

I have the same problems. Quilters do a beautiful job quilting but when it comes to writting instructions well------the ones I have come across really need some help. Of course they are not professional writers so maybe getting some help would be helpful to some

Some patterns aren't written real clear. They expect us to know it all. I have to read it through the first, and sometimes 2nd time. Then by the 3rd time I know what they mean by breaking down each section of the pattern into smaller increments.

I'm more of an interactive learner. Patterns can drive me crazy.
I photocopy the pattern and use that when I'm quilting. That way I can mark it up so it makes sense to me. Use various highlighters to mark sections. Sometimes I'll draw my own pics the way I read the directions to see if I come out with the same result. If it looks really wrong I check the pattern site to see if there is an errata sheet.

Sometimes I look for video tutorials (utube etc) when I just don't get it.

And then as earlier remarked, so patterns are just poorly written and tested.

Don't dispair.....keep on sewin'

I am a visual learner. I have a hard time reading directions too. If it doesn't click with me..I close my eyes and have someone read it to me while the steps fall into place in my head. It doesn't mean we are stupid~it just means we process differently. Its the creativeness in us. =)

I read thru a pattern a few times, and then just do it step, by step, from there on. Getting ahead of yourself can just confuse you too much. Good Luck! Jan

I have a real hard time reading patterns . When that happens I have my husband or a friend help me figure it out. The other person doesn't have to be a quilter. I'm more visual and learn by doing not by reading.
Don't give up.

Sometimes I have the same problem and then I have my hubby read it. He can usually help out.

It depends for me. Sometimes patterns are really horribly written. I like to see what to do at each step, and I work really well with lists.

I agree with you. I was doing a pattern lately from Gyleen Fitgerald and I just didn't get it. I've been sewing for so many years, so I thought my mind was going. I sent her an e-mail and she kindly sent me photos of the steps. It had been just word directions before, and I guess I just had to see it! See if you can e-mail anyone to get clarification.

You are NOT stupid! Sometimes I have to leave a pattern for a day or two and then come back to it. Sometimes I find that I can figure something out one or two steps at a time, but I get confused with patterns sometimes. Like others have said some patterns are easier to understand than others.

Cheat sheets have been a lifesaver for me. But another thing I do if I have found a particularly challenging pattern:

I have a pad of large-size (11 x 17 or so) construction paper of various colors. I will often do a mock-up of the pattern in construction paper (different colors representing different fabrics) to make sure I got my head around it. (I use a rotary blade that's on its last legs which I save for cutting paper.)

Throwing away paper is not nearly so frustrating as tossing fabric, one try after another.

Hope this helps.

Fantastic instructions given here - I might add that marking your own fabrics with blue painters tape could be helpful in keeping things straight.

I do the same as I did with clothes patterns years ago.

My sister taught me to sew and told me from the very beginning, read the pattern and then read it again......if necessary, do it again.

There are times when something just doesn't sink in...but after a few readings, the light shines !!!!!!!!!

An engineer once told me that sewing pattern instructions were uniformly badly written. He said that includes garment construction, quilt construction and most other sewing projects. I can't say that he was correct all the time. On the other hand, some are really badly written! froggyintexas

It helps me to cut a little piece (about an inch or less) of fabric and stick it to the pattern. that way I know which fabric goes where.

I too have problems with this. The first thing with me is trying to read the ruler. For instance if the pattern calls for 7 and 1/8 or 7 and 1/16. The rest of the ruler I understand (1/4, 1/2, 3/4 etc.) Why does it have to be so precise?

[quote=quiltease]Now to me Bev your instructions makes all the sense in the world. The way the pattern is written is what would confuse me. Why can't they just write it the way you explained it?

Judy

OOOOuuuuuu. I see by your avatar that you have a Shiba Inu. Yes? I do to. She is fifteen years old. Sorry off topic, but anyway...

I have trouble too. I used to make lined suits and dresses and clothing all from reading patterns. Now it seems that I am just so confused by them. Some quilt patterns I can read ok and some just seem to tax my brain cells. For those taxing patterns I tend to go to my LQS for help or take an ongoing class there where the instructor helps everyone do their own separate quilts and she will help me with my specific issues.

Perfect response and exactly how I have to do it! I am mentally challenged if I don't see my material in that pattern LOL unless there are just a few fabrics. Well, I don't have the notebook yet since I have only made 3 large quilts, but that is a wonderful idea!

Patterns usually suggest reading the whole thing first, which I do. However, when it seems to be muddled in my brain, my advice always is to go ahead and do it, following the instructions one at a time and this usually works. It seems breaking it down makes it easier to understand.

Have you tried looking on e-how or somewhere on how to make the quilt?

I like to look at the pattern (closely) then read the instrustions. If I can recognise parts of the pattern, I'm more willing to make it. But, even with a pattern, finding a video helps lots.

Try doing a "mock" block. Just take the pattern one step at a time, and it will come together for you

sometimes f. and p.have mistakes in their patterns . you can go to their web site and go to correction page and you fine it there. but it looked to me like they were saying cut 2-4 7/8 " blocks then , cut them in half

Sometimes when I use colors that are totally different than what the pattern calls for I tape a tiny piece of my fabrics either in the area where it tells you the colors that are used in the picture or on another piece of paper and number them color 1: color 2: etc. I found that this saves a lot of headaches. Hope this helps...

I don't know if you are talking about a specific pattern, but if a pattern says to cut a square (in this instance) 4 7/8" then cut in half, they mean to cut on the diagonal so that you will end up with two triangles.

I am sooo glad you asked this question because I have the same problem, I get confused & mixed up when trying to apply my own color scheme. I'm going to try jmabby's suggestion. This board is such a great source of information & everyone is so very kind & encouraging.

I do as jmabby does and supply a little sample of the fabric I am using to correspond to the color they are using in the pattern. Works for me to understand which goes where.

I write on my patterns. If I am having trouble keeping the colors straight I write in what color I am using. Also, when I am buying the fabric I make notes on the pattern which fabric is for which one. This becomes more important the more fabrics you are working with.

This is almost exactly how I do mine. I have never been very good with math and it seems quilting has really helped my math skills! I cannot read patterns in books or magazines either. I was really spoiled and made some sampler quilts from quilter's cache because I LOVE her speed piecing directions for stuff. But she writes her patterns in a way that a 2nd grader would understand so there is no confusion. Patterns in magazines and books aren't written that way.

I also find that physically righting it down in a notebook helps me process it better than just reading it. If it's a quilt that's super special, like my husbands sampler for our anniversary, I get out my ruler and colored pencils and map out the blocks to go with the directions.

I'm making my first patterns out of a McCalls quilting and only after several rewrites was I able to understand. I made a sample and HATED it. So I looked at what steps went wrong for me and I rewrote them in a way that made more sense. I've made 4 more since and really loved them.

The biggest advice I would have for anyone dealing with patterns for the first time is to be careful with borders. Cutting and piecing has to be perfect for the length to wind up. I don't cut the length of any borders until the center or top is complete and then I measure what mine actually is. I don't have ruffles in my borders anymore now because they are true length, not what the pattern requires.

I'll help you in any way I can.

Melissa

We all have different styles of learning. I have to read since verbal instructions last in my head as long as it takes to say them. My mind wanders. Pictures als help me. You just have to figure your style.

The one thing that works for me is reading it like I do a knitting pattern. If I read ahead or go ahead in the directions I get very confused. I read and do one step at a time and I stay less confused. There are times when I have to cut a piece that I could have done earlier, but it begins to make sense after I go through it very meticulously the first time. Good luck finding what works best for you.

Jana

When I start with the instructions, I follow one sentence at a time. If I try to understand it all, it is very confusing. I also make a copy and re-write on the instructions the color and fabric that I am using.
Just don't get ahead of yourself.

i take a piece of paper and tape clips of the material i am using and put theres written next to it. that way if they say dotted pink and i am using green i just have to look at my cheat cheat paper. that makes it easier for me.

Hi, Jackie. I, too, have trouble understanding directions. Perhaps this will help: cut a snippet of every fabric you plan to use. Glue this snippet onto the pattern directions everywhere that fabric will be used. This will keep you from getting confused while reading the directions. Hope this helps. (When I teach beginning quilting, I have the students glue their fabric choices on the pattern drawings. It really helps them from miscutting their fabrics.)

Sometimes when I am working on a new pattern and don't quite "get it", I sit down and read the pattern outloud. Somestimes hearing the spoken word is easier to understand than the written version.

Be sure and make a little chart with a piece of each fabric you are going to use and where it will be used. Really helps.

I am so glad to have read this. I'm working on my fourth quilt, all baby quilts. The directions said to take the fabric and fold it lengthwise and cut it crossways, or something like that. I cut the material the way I understood it and sewed the two pieces together for the backing. When I laid it out, it was too short. I was so frustrated because I couldn't figure out what I had done. Now I'll have to piece the backing together.

I'll use these suggestions in the future. I thought it was just my math "inability" and it makes me feel good that other people have problems too.

I have the same problem....reading the pattern. So, if I see something I like, I just 'invent' my own method. I don't copy, but I get inspiration from seeing other's quilts. So, I am an 'out of the box' quilter. Just finished a charity quilt to be raffled off. Phew! I had a few problems on sizes, but managed to get it done right. If I ha