Choosing the Right Size in Sewing Patterns

Wish you were around when my 3 Daughters were teens to young Ladies. Bless you for helping the newer sewers. 🥰🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇨🇦❤️

Thank you, Catherine! I also have to factor in a full bust adjustment when choosing my pattern size as most of the big brands only pattern for a B Cup and I'm a couple of sizes bigger than that. I use my upper bust measurement, check the size for that then do the FBA so my shoulders and armscyses fit better. I will now add the measuring the pattern in for selection then FBA. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much for this information!

This was so helpful! Thank you!

Catherine, you’re an awesome teacher! Love watching your videos! Thank you!

Thank you

Really good information

The problem is that you can’t see the finished garment measurements until you open the pattern which you can’t do in the shop and you definitely can’t do online! And I’m midsize so usually fall between the two different pattern envelopes. I don’t know why they don;t make more of an overlap between the sizes they offer (eg if they did 8-16 and 14-22, so if you’re between 14 and 16, you’ll be ok).

Best information I have received. You should publish a sewing book.

Hello Catherine I just starting to watch your You tube channel fantastic, but I am having a problem trying to grade a pattern for my sister. I have a pattern V9321 my sister measurements is bust 35 waist 32 Hip 38.5 . How do I grade from a 14 to 18 on the pattern from vogue my sisters waist comes under a size 18 on pattern and the rest is size 14 really difficult can you help me please xx

Catherine you are such an inspiration… I love your tutorials, I have learnt so much more with your easy to understand instructions. You are simply fabulous at teaching. Your calming nature, extra diagrams and visuals you include in the videos are most helpful. Your students are very lucky to have you - and so are we 😊 xx

Ease for a size 10 is different from the ease in a size 20. It all hinges on the movement of the body as you stand, sit etc. When a size 20 sits down, she needs at least 3 and a half inches!!!!

I'd give you a double 👍👍 if I could. I am sewing my first top, a Butterick. I went with the size on the pattern envelope and it was huge! Luckily I'd made a test garment on a sheet. This time, I'll take your advice and use the one on the pattern front piece, which takes me down to a 16, which still gives me 2 inches of extra room (that I could take in if necessary). I'm so grateful you made this video!

I hope you see my comment because this video is one year old. I was given a PDF pattern of a pair of pajama shorts. The front seem like a good size for me but the back is actually 2 inches wider across the hips than I need

I’m working off of a pair of similar shorts that’s why I know I don’t need that extra 2 inches

From what I’ve seen regarding how to alter a pattern piece for the blouse front where they actually slice it sort of down the middle that’s kind of what I was doing with these pattern pieces

One person said I should take the 2 inches off of the side seam but I don’t think that’s the right way to do it. So I cut the pattern piece in half and moved it over to get rid of the excess 2 inches. Does that make sense? So now the hip measurement equals the fitted garment accounting for the half inch seam allowance on each side

I did not alter the length of the crotch yet that I can easily do after I baste them together

This video was a life saver! Thank you so much for your explanation!

hi Catherine,i have a question i have a pattern here Simplicity s9702 it has a lot of ease,like mysize waist is 43 and bust is 44 and hips 42, size 20 for bust ,waist the same , because of the ease , i realy think i should go the 8 for waist because the finished garment size is still very high for ease it said 59 inches ,my question , do you think i would be going down to much in size for the waist ?

Ty. That made so much sense to me. I appreciate ur videos.

You just popped up ,,very well explained I joined and saved this looking foward to your videos

I think one of the most important issue is the cup size the pattern is designed for (usually a B in the big companies). If you are bigger, or smaller, than a B, you purchase by your high bust measurements and do a full (or small) bust adjustment also known as an FBA or a SBA.

Oh my, I have been sewing since high school (over 50 years ago) and have never noticed the finished measurement on the pattern. If I did see the measurements I assumed they matched the envelop but never checked. Who says you can't teach an old dog a new trick, lol. Thank you Catherine.

This is a great video. But I was wondering why you don't mention cup size which can be determined by subtracting full bust from high bust measurements and doing a full bust adjustment if the difference is more than 2.5 inches but also then choosing your pattern based on the high bust measurement . I know that you yourself dont need that explanation but was wondering if you find doing it that way too complicated for your students? And how do you help them get a good fit at neck and shoulders just by measuring the full bust area on their pattern if they are more than a B cup?

Thank you Catherine, I’m new to your channel and finding these tips so helpful.

Thank you!!! Every pattern seems to be way too big on me when I use the recommended sizes. This will help a lot!

How do you cut out a multi sized pattern while preserving the pattern?

So helpful! When fabric and patterns are so expensive now, it's reassuring to have a better idea of one's approximate size. Thank you.

Just found your channel, new subscriber here. Thankyou x

Catherine, your videos have taken my sewing to a whole new level. Thank you for your instruction. The content is spot on and your delivery is calm, clear and easy to understand. I have learned so much from you! 💞👌🏻🥂

I went to my local thrift shop and bought about ten packets of McCalls, Simplicity, and Buttermilk patterns( they were .30 cents each) of basic clothing. I got home, to realize the patterns were mostly sizes large- x-large.
I wear an actual size of around 8. Whenever you measure your bust area, is that with a bra on or not?

Omg! I’ve always been scared of patterns. You make it seem so easy. Thanks so much! Do you have one on how to take your own measurements?

Thanks for sharing ,its really very helpful.I always confused and get wrong sizes.Thanks for teaching me

Thank you for sharing, your video is very good, I love it. Nice to meet you. Wish you happiness and success in life.💛💚🧡💖

This video was so helpful. I've been putting off sewing a pair of jeans just because I can't face trying to figure out the size and making the necessary adjustments. Maybe now I'll get on it....

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

I just gave the measuring properly and finding size on patters. Nice!

Back here to support you!!