Monday 26 March 2012

Question Time: Cutting Layouts

Working on  my pattern instructions booklet
Today I want to hear from you: Do you use cutting layouts? Do you like them or find them useful? For what reasons?
I can say ahead of release that the Antoinette Dress Pattern will not have cutting layouts but it doesn't mean future patterns will not.

Curious to see what you think! I will dwell into it more on a follow up post with my opinion and yours.


24 comments:

  1. I don't follow cutting layouts, but I like having them because it gives me a quick and easy way to check how many I'm supposed to cut of what and any other important information (like if the diagonal of some pieces need to be on the grain etc.).

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  2. I think they're important for newer sewists and I do glance over them before I cut (to see if the layout provided works for the fabric I've got). Mind you, I'm not slavish to the cutting instructions.

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    1. As a newer sewist, I still very much rely on them. I think I might be able to go without one but only if grainlines were very clearly marked and there were suggestions somewhere about what could be cut on the fold and not. But I'm still on the extremely beginner side of sewing.

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  3. I don't use cutting layouts because I am stingy with my fabric and I find the layouts pretty wasteful. I do follow grainlines, though!

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  4. I use them as a starting point, but usually never follow them exactly. I like to use the least amount of fabric possible, while still following grain lines. I agree with Emma in that they are good reminders of how many you are supposed to cut. They are also a good reminder of pieces that need to be on the fold - when I trace my patterns I sometimes forger to transfer all of the details!

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  5. I'm the same as lladybird - I often layout pieces completely differently to the suggested layout to maximise my fabric. But grainlines are not to be ignored or messed with...eeep!

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  6. I am another ignorant sewist and lay out my pattern as economical for my size and fabric as possible. I am often surprised how much material I safe compared to the suggestions on the pattern envelope.

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  7. I don't follow cutting layouts. I find cutting out one piece at a time in the most economical way possible makes the job far more bearable.

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  8. I usually lay out according to the guide (without pinning) and then move pieces around to make use of the fabric design (to avoid the 'big flower' in the wrong spot look)...

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  9. I like to see a cutting layout but don't always use them. I'll usually lay my pieces out according to the diagram but if my fabric is wider or narrower I have to adjust (I almost never get the correct width fabric) and also if my fabric has a pattern I'll usually move them about so that I don't get any unfortunate circle or flower in a strange place ;) or to match a plaid etc...I think having no layout might alienate a beginner though so maybe think about who you are targeting? :)

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  10. I use to but am moving away from them. I just accommodate the amount of fabric I have and the grain. Just out of interest what kind of software are you using for this?

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    1. Do you mean for the instructions or the pattern? The pattern was done on card and digitised elsewhere. Afterwards I worked it on photoshop. With instructions I'm using a mixture of photoshop, illustrator and simple word.

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  11. I never look at them. Never. I just lay the pieces out, but I do always follow the grain lines. :]

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  12. Nope. I'm usually trying to use my fabric as economically as possible so I ignore them.

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  13. I like them. It is something that I don't always follow but it is good to have them. It is also good for beginners it gives them a start of how to lay the pattern pieces and a reminder of which pieces need to be cut on the fold. Details like this make a pattern to seem more professional.

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  14. I like the cutting layouts. I like to arrange my fabric and then make sure there wasn't a better way!!

    Oh, also, I do like to check that I have put the pattern pieces the right way up for nap etc. Sometimes I get confused.

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  15. I don't use them either. I used to when I first started but now I dont find them necessary. I can usually figure out the best way to lay pieces out myself...and as long as all the grain lines and cuts needed are on the actual pieces, then there's just no need for the layout.

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  16. I can't remember the last time I referred to a cutting layout. I use the list of pieces for the garment and cross them off as I pin them to the fabric...that's very useful. But the actual layouts...I find them very wasteful of fabric.

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  17. Hi Maureen. I did the pattern by hand on card and sent it to a company for digitising and grading. Problem is you then rely on company's cad skills to do it according to your specifications. For more control I am thinking about getting the software. You can do it on a mac with windows parallels installed.

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  18. When I first began dressmaking, yes, I did use pattern cutting layouts, but now I don't even look at them. LauraUK

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  19. I'll say that I often ignore them but that it's led to disaster on more than one occasion. Then again, that's also because I've been known to start cutting the first piece before checking that all the pieces fit. And then, of course, the blame always falls on me, because clearly there was a way to do it right. So, I suppose including one is sort of like insurance... or idiot-proofing, as the case may be :)

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  20. I'm still relatively new to sewing, so I find the cutting layout extremely useful. It gives a visual idea of what pieces I need to pay attention to.

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  21. I loved reading people's responses. I don't use them. I've been sewing for a while and so just don't really need them to get the pattern pieces in the amount of fabric suggested.

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