No Pattern Necessary — Episode 34
Join us for a discussion of no pattern sewing. We cover sewing from dimensions, draft your own projects based on your measurements and draping. Then take part in a fun sewing fill in the blanks featuring silly summer fashion trends.
Originally published 3/5/2020. Now available on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. Please subscribe and leave us a review if you love Sew & Tell so we can grow our sewing family even larger.
Episode Summary
- Welcome
- Discussion Segment: Sewing without a pattern, draping, draft your own
- Discussion Segment: Sewing Fill in the Blanks – Silly Summer Fashions
- SewJo
Sew & Tell
Last episode’s question: What 2020 trend are you most likely to incorporate into your sewing plans?
This episode’s question: What’s your experience with no-pattern sewing?
Related Links
- Fennel Fanny Pack by Sarah Kirsten: sarkirsten.com/patterns/fennel-fanny-pack
- Anywhere Skirt by Made Everyday: shop.madeeveryday.com/products/anywhere-skirt
- Wilder Top and Gown by Friday Pattern Company: fridaypatterncompany.com/products/the-wilder-gown-pdf-pattern
- Roberts Collection Dungarees by Marilla Walker: marillawalkerpatterns.com/products/pdf-roberts-collection-sewing-dress-making-pattern
- No Patterns Needed by Rosie Martin: amazon.com/No-Patterns-Needed-Couture-Simple/dp/1780678282
- Tamarack Jacket by Grainline Studio: grainlinestudio.com/products/tamarack-jacket?variant=22646705520722)
- Interweave Crochet Accessories 2011: interweave.com/product/crochet-accessories-2011-digital-edition/
- Sew News April/May 2020: sewdaily.com/product/sew-news-april-may-2020-digital-issue/
Ongoing Sewing Pun Tally
Meg: 4
Amanda: 4
Kate: 3
Other Notes
In this episode we asked you:
“What’s your experience with no-pattern sewing?”
Bonus question: The more you know about sewing, have you become less experimental?
Leave your answers in the comments below!
Note: By answering our Sew & Tell question, you are giving us permission to read your answer in an upcoming episode.
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Hi team Sew and Tell!
I’ve listened to this episode almost 3 months after you released it and instantly thought of Chinelo Bally, a finalist in one of the previous series of the great British sewing bee. Before appearing on the show she had never used a sewing pattern before, but learnt how to sew from her aunt who taught her how to create perfectly fitting garments directly on the fabric by using body measurements. She has since had a book published about the method. It’s called Freehand Fashion and it shows you how to create the different blocks in calico for using your own measurements. You can then put your skills into practice with 15 different projects, including jackets and evening gowns!
The book (and method) is seriously fab!
I was a rule follower, and very good in school because I read instructions. It never occurred to me that there was a way to sew successfully that was different from what I was taught. After all, they wrote those instructions for a reason, right? But unaltered, commercial patterns didn’t fit me well. It wasn’t until about three years ago, when I learned to draft patterns from a series of Craftsy classes, that I really understood how to modify patterns and freestyle. So for me, experience made me more creative.