SEWING PATTERN:11 LISTS OF INFORMATION YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND(Part-1).

Before we dive into the knowledge of the Eleven(11) Lists of information you need to understand on a sewing pattern envelope; let us quickly look at what a sewing pattern envelope is in simple terms. 

WHAT IS A SEWING PATTERN ENVELOPE?

A Sewing pattern envelope is a product package envelope that contain a printed A0 pattern paper sheet and sewing guide inside the envelope. A sewing pattern envelope is like every other product package and It has product information about the garment-style picture that is display on the front Cover of the envelope. The product information will help you to understand the garment style pattern that is inside the envelope  just like a grocery (a.k.a provision) product information helps you to understand the content of the package. 

So I will be explaining the Eleven(11) Lists of information below so that when next you place an order for a sewing pattern online or whether you want to make a physical purchase at a local Tailoring accessories/Fabric store; You will understand what they mean and how they can further guide you in your sewing project.

THE INFORMATION ON THE FRONT PATTERN ENVELOPE.

DMA pattern envelope

1.PATTERN BRAND
One of the first thing you will notice on the front cover of a pattern envelope after the Catchy garment-style picture is the pattern brand name. Just like in the grocery market (a.k.a provision stores) where you have so many product maker's with their brand name & logo written on their product so also it is with a commercial sewing pattern.

There are four well known pattern brands in the international market that sell sewing patterns; They are the “Big 4” companies which I believe you might have purchased before and they are McCalls, Vogue, Butterick and Simplicity. Also we have many other Independent sewing pattern brands which are popularly known as Indie’s pattern. 

Indie’s pattern brands are independent pattern making companies that are not as big as the conventional “Big 4” companies and they are make sewing pattern available in pdf format. Here in Nigeria DMA is an independent commercial sewing pattern brand that is making sewing pattern available for DIY dressmakers, Sewing lover/addicts and Fashion Entrepreneurs in both printed and pdf format.

2.GARMENT STYLE NAME
This is the name of the garment style that is drafted on the sewing pattern paper inside the envelope. It is usually located below the brand name and it indicate the kind of garment style you are going to be making with the sewing pattern inside the envelope. Selecting a particular sewing pattern garment-style over the other is base on oneself Fashion style and need.

At DMA we have sewing pattern for both classic garment-styles inspired by Africa Fashion culture like the one used in this topic which a beautiful style suitable for owambe(a Africa social gathering party) evening dress and regular wear inspired by silhouettes from the 60's.

3.LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
This mean the level of the sewing skill category such as “Beginner, Intermediate or Advance level” the sewing pattern product is good for and it will be written somewhere on the sewing pattern envelope but Ours is usually written on the front of our sewing pattern envelope.

It is always advisable to buy a sewing pattern that match your sewing skill level otherwise you may end up with a sewing pattern that is too complicated for your skill level which will further result to a collection of unused pattern or failed sewing projects.

How can you tell if the garment style on the pattern envelope matches your sewing skill level even if It is written there? Well in most cases you can always tell by the style of the garment how easy or difficult the sewing of the garment will be. However; in case the level of difficulty is not written on the pattern envelope; You can always read the garment description on the back of the pattern envelope to determine if the garment style fit your sewing skill level.

4.PATTERN SIZE 
This is the size range of the sewing pattern garment style which is inside the envelope and It is usually written below the garment style name. This is a vital information you need to look out for on a pattern envelope as it help you to pick the correct garment size for yourself.

Our sewing pattern usually come in different size-range so that if your body changes(i.e. if you add or lose some weight) you can go up ad down the size range instead of purchasing a new pattern in a different size. We also include the height information so that you can pick a sewing pattern that will give a correct fitting proportion on the body.

More so you might decide to make the garment-style on the pattern envelope in one of the size range for a family member as a gift; in this case you don’t need to go about shopping for a new pattern size. Just select one of the many size ranges and begin your sewing project. We have put into consideration all these need and that is why our pattern size range cover from Three(3) to Five(5) different size ranges to satisfy such arising need.

5.PATTERN NUMBER
The pattern number is usually in the top left or bottom right corner on the pattern envelope depending on the maker/Company. This number is given by the pattern company so that the pattern can be easily identified.

Also the pattern number can serve as reference number when sorting for the particular sewing pattern among many other sewing pattern when you don’t remember the garment style name.

6.GARMENT STYLE VARIATION
This is the picture or drawing of the finished garment and its alternative style variation contain in the pattern envelope and display on the front & back cover of the envelope. Each style option or view is given a letter such as style A/style B/style C & est..(Depending on the number of the garment styles in the pattern envelope). This letter will help you in choosing the right yardage of fabric to buy, the right cutting layout on the fabric and the right sewing instruction to follow when making the selected garment style.

All these Six(6) List of information on the Front cover of a Pattern envelope are compulsory to search for when shopping for a sewing pattern either from us or any other maker as it is going to help you to make a good purchase.

In my next post we will continue on the remaining Five(5) List of information on the Back of a sewing pattern envelope to complete this Topic. I hope this knowledge have help you to understand the information on the Front cover of a sewing pattern envelope; use the comment box below if you have any questions or contributions. Thanks for reading