Makers Thrift

01/20/2023

I love when I luck out on paper patterns and get extra blank recycled paper to use 😁

I often use this trick to make multiple sizes of the same pattern instead of using swedish tracing paper which can be very expensive. Couple of tips if you use this trick:

* Use a dry iron on the paper before tracing to get it as flat as possible.

* Use a high quality pencil to trace. They are kind of pricey, but I love using Tombow or Black Wing pencils. Check out your local stationery store because you may be able to buy single pencils which will cost you $2 or $3 each. Make sure to also invest in a quality sharpener and a separate eraser and try to stick with the same brand. In Bozeman, in the Cannery District sells single pencils.

* Preserving paper patterns - I have never tried this method but some advise using lightweight fusible interfacing and parchment paper. has a step-by-step article on this method at https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/how-to-preserve-paper-sewing-patterns-2978115. I store my patterns in a few other ways. Check out a blog post from about that at https://blog.treasurie.com/sewing-pattern-storage/

How do you like to store your paper sewing patterns? I'm always looking for new ways to organize my sewing room!

01/18/2023

I remember buying my first paper pattern and when I opened it, I felt overwhelmed! Although there are a ton of things to remember, here are some tips for first time beginners:

• Pick a pattern that does not have many symbols. They can have different meanings based on the company. Some symbols can be mind blowing at first like yokes, plackets. Some of my favorite paper patterns are from the Learn to Sew series from Simplicity. You can always Google free easy sewing patterns and a TON of websites come up. Another two favorite online shops of mine are Lowland Fabric and Patterns and Isee Fabric.

• Fabric lay out plan – Follow it. This will save you so much headache and money.

• Notches – These can be critical. They serve a way to make sure our pattern pieces correctly match up. A common one is matching the center of a shirt front to the center front of your ribbing or collar piece.

• Fold line vs. grain line – Fold lines are where the pattern piece is to be placed on the fold. A grain line shows you where to place the pattern piece on the fabric piece (it should be parallel to the straight grain of the fabric).

• Lack of instructions – Lots of older paper patterns do not have detailed instructions like newer patterns (whether paper or digital). If your pattern does not include instructions, try emailing the pattern company. They may be able to direct you to resources. YouTube videos can be a life saver. And sometimes, you can find online sew-a-longs. This is more common with newer, digital patterns. Check out sewing pattern company Facebook groups or your local sew/quilt shop.

Makers Thrift will be offering classes to new makers to include things like How to Read a Sewing Pattern, Fabric 101, and Learn Your Machine. These basics will help you build the confidence you need to start making anything you can think of! We are so excited to start later this spring! 😊

01/17/2023

It's never too early to be thinking about spring makes. I just found these gems in my thrift outing last week.

Fabric found and pattern

01/08/2023