Decoding Pattern Markings

 

DECODING PATTERN MARKINGS

MARKING FOR PREPARATION AND CUTTING OUT

These markings are to help you cut out the pattern pieces, make pattern alterations, and lay out the pattern pieces correctly on your fabric.

 

1/. CUTTING LINES

      Multi-sized patterns have different cutting lines for each size. See the key for the correct 

      line for you size and follow it around each pattern piece carefully. Lines might change.

      depending on pattern brand.

 

2/. ALTERATION LINES

      These parallel double lines act as alteration lines to show you where to lengthen or

      shorten your pattern piece.

 

3/. JOINING MARKS

      These marks are used when two pieces of a pattern have to be joined together to make.

       one complete a pattern piece. The symbols, which may vary with the pattern brand,

       may be a shaded area or a row of crossed circles at the edges to be joined. Overlap the

       matched symbols to join the pieces together and form a whole piece. You will generally

       find these positioned at the bust, and hips points on patterns.

 

4/. STRAIGHT GRAIN or GRAINLINE

      A straight line with two arrowheads denotes that this line needs to be place on the

      straight grain of the fabric.

      

5/. FOLDLINE

      Your pattern pieces often represent half a garment, so this symbol indicates that you

      should place your pattern piece exactly on the folded edge of the fabric to create a

      whole piece once opened. Always cut your patterns pieces on the WRONG side if the

      fabric, and mark with a little chalk cross on the wrong side (WS) especially if both sides 

      (right & wrong) look very similar.

 

      Make sure that it is carefully lined up with the fold, as it is easy to increase or decrease!

       the size of garment pieces inadvertently.

    If you can’t find the size you need you can also adjust the size “here”.

CONSTRUCTION MARKINGS

These marks are either to help you sew your cut-out pieces together correctly or to show. 

 the position of fastening and garment feature, which are usually written next to it.

 

6/. NOTCHES

      Marked as triangles or diamond, notches are used for accurately matching pattern pieces

      when sewing. You’ll find single, double, or triple notches, which correspond with those

      adjoining garment pieces.

 

7/. DOTS and CIRCLES

     These show the position of pockets, buttons, and zippers. Dots as also mark points to sew

     up to (ie. darts) or cut into. Small circles or squares can be used as extra matching aids for

     joining pieces, such as a sleeve to a shoulder seam, or a collar to a neckline.

8/. BUTTONHOLES and BUTTONS

     A buttonhole is normally shown as a line, showing its position and length; and the button

     position may be marked with a short closed line or a dot.

 

 

9/. DARTS

     These are marked on patterns with the aid of notches and dots, linked together with solid

      lines that meet at a point.

 

10/. BONUS MARKINGS

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