Sewing: Fitting Oversized Pattern Pieces

Video Transcript

" Hi! I’m Stephany from Stephany’s Simply Sewing on behalf of expertvillage.com. I’d like to show you what to do when your pattern piece doesn’t fit on your fabric because your pattern it too wide for your fabric. Generally, your pattern envelope will show a layout that shows how to recut that. The first thing that I’m going to do is I’m going to cut my fabric across the grain. This is not my cutting line for this size patterns, so it’s okay, and then I’m going to go ahead and cut right along my cutting line for that piece. The next thing I’m going to do is refold my fabric. The way I do that is to open it up so I have selvages on either end, and then I’m going to fold it this way. Once again, you’re going to try and make sure that your fabric is square or the grain is straight. The way I do that is by folding the fabric, matching the salvage edge; again, the salvage edge is the edge that comes from the factory already finished, and smoothing my fabric out. I want to be able to use every piece of my fabric, and so I have taken this edge and kind of aligned it with my cut edge. Then I place my fabric on, or my pattern piece, this piece of fabric. The procedure is the same, you’re going to want to measure for your grain from the point of your arrow over to your salvage. Place a pin, go to the opposite end of your arrow, measure again to your salvage, and make any adjustments that are necessary. You also want to make sure that your cutting line is still on your fabric. Pin and double-check your measurements. This ensures that your fabric will be laid out or your garment is cut on the straight of the grain, which means that it will lay properly. That is how you adjust your fabric in order to accommodate and over sized pattern piece. "