How to Make Your Own Pattern for Sewing a New Piece of Clothing

Do you have a new fashion idea? Make your own pattern!

Steps

  1. Image titled Make Your Own Pattern for Sewing a New Piece of Clothing Step 1
    1
    Gather supplies. An old bed sheet works well for this project.
  2. Image titled Make Your Own Pattern for Sewing a New Piece of Clothing Step 2
    2
    Take measurements. Measure the general length and width for each pattern piece.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Make Your Own Pattern for Sewing a New Piece of Clothing Step 3
    3
    Cut the sheet. Cut squares and rectangles for each pattern piece.
  4. Image titled Make Your Own Pattern for Sewing a New Piece of Clothing Step 4
    4
    Fit your model. Drape each pattern piece over your model.
  5. Image titled Make Your Own Pattern for Sewing a New Piece of Clothing Step 5
    5
    Refine your pattern.
    • Cut and shape your pattern pieces.
    • Pin or baste each pattern piece together along the seam-line.
    • Leave a half-inch seam allowance on all sides of each pattern piece.
  6. Image titled Make Your Own Pattern for Sewing a New Piece of Clothing Step 6
    6
    Refine your design.
    • Use tailor's chalk to mark certain areas.
    • Create pleats, tucks or darts with common pins.
    • Create gathers and hemlines with a basting stitch.
  7. Image titled Make Your Own Pattern for Sewing a New Piece of Clothing Step 7
    7
    Remove the pattern from the model. Use tailor's chalk to mark all pinned or basted areas, if needed.
  8. Image titled Make Your Own Pattern for Sewing a New Piece of Clothing Step 8
    8
    Cut your fabric. Using your new pattern, cut fabric for your actual garment.
  9. Image titled Make Your Own Pattern for Sewing a New Piece of Clothing Step 9
    9
    Baste your garment together. Baste all seams by hand or use the loosest stitch on your sewing machine.
  10. Image titled Make Your Own Pattern for Sewing a New Piece of Clothing Step 10
    10
    Refit your model. Place the basted garment on your model and make final adjustments to your design. Remove the basting.
  11. Image titled Make Your Own Pattern for Sewing a New Piece of Clothing Step 11
    11
    Stitch your garment together. Use the sewing machine for seams. Hand-stitch hemlines for a nice finished look.
    Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I do the blind stitch?
    Art Aguilar
    Art Aguilar
    Community Answer
    If you are using a sewing machine you would adjust the dial to the zigzag stitch -- it would be the stitch that looks like the pointy end of a diamond, the pointy end facing away from you.

Warnings

Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Old sheet
  • Tape measure
  • Scissors
  • Needle
  • Matching thread
  • Common pins
  • Tailor's chalk
  • Sewing Machine

You Might Also Like

How to
Use a Sewing Machine
Hand Baste Fabric
How to
Hand Baste Fabric
How to
Thread a Sewing Machine
How to
Thread a Needle and Tie a Knot
How to
Sew
How to
Make Your Own Sewing Patterns
How to
Measure Shoulder Width
Measure Arm Length
How to
Measure Arm Length
Hand Sew Leather
How to
Hand Sew Leather
Measure an Arm Hole
How to
Measure an Arm Hole
How to
Hand Sew a Hem
How to
Sew Using Patterns
How to
Sew Straight by Hand
Sew a Hook and Eye
How to
Sew a Hook and Eye
Advertisement

About This Article

Lois Wade
Co-authored by:
Lois Wade
wikiHow Crafts Expert
This article was co-authored by Lois Wade. Lois Wade has 45 years of experience in crafts including sewing, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, drawing, and paper crafts. She has been contributing to craft articles on wikiHow since 2007. This article has been viewed 74,349 times.
21 votes - 76%
Co-authors: 9
Updated: September 15, 2021
Views: 74,349
Categories: Sewing Skills
Advertisement