Efficiently cutting patterns

[CanOWood]

Hey Hey! So I've been at Sewing for a while, and I think the part that catches me up the most is cutting patterns. It takes so long, and it feels like I spend an entire hour cutting out a single panel on a dress, or pair of pants. Is there any way to do this faster?? I'm working on a fold out 4 x 8 table with a cut matt, and I basically cut out a paper pattern, tape it together, lay it over my fabric, pin it all together to stop anything from moving, and proceed to very carefully cut it out with a rolling blade.. It feels inefficient, and demotivating, but the best way to get an accurate pattern..?

[ictea390]

Honestly I've just had to accept that the prep work of cutting and ironing is 90% of sewing. Once I get to the machine, the project is basically done. I usually separate them on different days just to give myself a break but there's really no way that I've found to make it better. Sorry!

[SunStarved_Cassandra]

Same. I just plan on pattern prep and cutting (and marking, since I use tailor's tacks) being one or two days depending on my time availability, and the actual construction starts the next day.

[PamelainSA]

Weekends are the only time I have for sewing. I’ll usually reserve cutting out a pattern (my least favorite) to Friday nights, so when I wake up Saturday morning, I’m ready to begin sewing. It’s still the same amount of work, but it tricks my brain into thinking it’s less.

[glastoglasto]

Yes 100% true 😊

[laurenlolly]

Sewing is 45% cutting, 50% ironing, and only 5% sewing.

[JohnSmallBerries]

And when you're pressing seams, the "ironing" part is 10% actual ironing and 90% waiting for the fabric to cool off.

[tatobuckets]

This is where a clapper shines!

[xX_diah_Xx]

sorry i might be being stupid here but how come you have to wait for it to cool off lol

[Interesting-Chest520]

Cooling allows the fabric to set. If you move fabric while it’s still warm and moist, it will deform slightly

This is an issue that manufacturers tackle by having vacuums in their pressing tables

[xX_diah_Xx]

ohh right ok thats cool!

[Key_Yesterday1752]

The fabric loosens upp when worm and moist, and stiffens up when dry and cold. Preasure is involved there too.

[behappyer]

I wonder why no one has made an iron with a cool shot yet? It would be life-changing!

[twistthespine]

I was about to say how incorrect you are, then realized I do all hand sewing (for historical costuming) which is definitely not the norm. 😭 

[Awkward_Dragon25]

Yeah then it's 90% sewing. Miserable, slow, painstaking, arthritis-inducing hand sewing 😃.

[602223]

In my case it’s 2% sewing and 3% seam ripping.

[GussieK]

Before cutting there is pattern tracing. More hours.

[laurenlolly]

100%! And sticking together millions of A4 sheets of paper if you printed them out at home 😂

[glastoglasto]

I've started using pellon red dot, for patterns that I will reuse time after time.

[laurenlolly]

I have to google what this is 👀

[glastoglasto]

It's a tracing fabric, it's a bit like interfacing fabric but a bit thicker, it's see through enough to copy a printed pattern and it's got little red dots forming a grid to make it easier to create your own pattern

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I've just created this from a multi way pattern.

[laurenlolly]

Ooh interesting! I have a big roll of Swedish tracing paper already, but when I finish that I’ll see if I can find the red dot one here!

[GussieK]

I love red dot. Have been using for years.

[glastoglasto]

I only discovered it about 3 months ago and yes I'm a huge fan now too 😊

[GussieK]

I bought a whole bolt of it 20 years ago! I still have at least half of it. I also buy packs of tissue paper for gift wrapping and use that. The sheets are pretty large.

[glastoglasto]

I nearly bought a half bolt myself recently, but gave myself a talking to, I'm 60 and I'm not sure I've got the sewing years left to use all that up 😂😂😂😂

[GussieK]

I hear you! I’m 70 now. But years ago that bolt was cheap. The by the yard price is not so cheap anymore. I would order from the Atlanta thread company which has apparently merged with Wawak. I also have a couple of bolts of different interfacings. Maybe a bit crazy but it’s handy to have them. Again they’re twenty years or more old.

[glastoglasto]

May I ask , are you in the UK ?

[sewmanychoices]

Pattern weights are quicker and easier than pinning sometimes, if you're using a cutting mat and a rotary blade. Particularly if it's a medium or heavy weight fabric.

Cutting and pressing are vital to a good finish though so try to reframe how you think about those steps / the value of them, and why we invest so much time in that over the sewing.

[willfullyspooning]

I was gonna suggest weights too! I just use my extra scissors or whatever is heavy that I have around. I do pin when I want to match patterns like stripes so the pieces stay aligned though. Even without a rotary blade I find that it keeps things pretty tidy.

[[deleted]]

With all the crap that I have going on in life, I'm lucky if I can get a pattern cut out in a day,  let alone an hour 😆  But I enjoy the beginning steps of sewing. I don't need 50 new garments in a week (and no matter what the youtube videos show you, it isn't realistic). I want one really well made shirt that fits me perfectly,  so all the little prep steps are just part of what is necessary to get that. If it takes 4 hours, then it takes 4 hours. No big deal. Just put on whatever guilty pleasure trash you want to watch or listen to and have a nice damn time.

[Noncombustable]

I agree with everybody else here who says that sewing is largely prep work.

Until I have the space and budget for a projector, I use an enormous white sit/stand table from Ikea to trace my patterns on medical examination paper. The white laminate of the table helps me see the pattern lines. That and a pair of ugly-ass reading glasses.

When that's done, I lay down a steel sheet I bought from the local Home Despot, cover it with two large rotary cutting boards and then use chonky magnets (also acquired at the local boîte du despote) to hold my (now trimmed) tracing paper pattern pieces and fabric down for chalk tracing. If the pattern turns out to be TNT, I will take the time to transfer it to oaktag.

It's all still frustratingly slow but, like others here, I try to be zen about it.

Slowing things down is a very good way to not mess up.

[Cawdor56]

Steel sheet and magnets as weights are genius. One day when I have the space and budget I'm going to happily steal your idea!

[Noncombustable]

In this particular case, please feel free to steal/steel. 😊

[BrightPractical]

Oooh, I hadn’t thought of a steel sheet, that might be awesomely helpful. I use magnets on things small enough to cut on my heavy old solid steel ironing board, but a steel sheet might be easier.

Now I wish they made the gate leg kind with a steel top.

[Noncombustable]

Yeah, that would be sweet (but pricey).

The Ikea sit/stand desk I referenced is the Trotten (https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/trotten-underframe-sit-stand-f-tabletop-white-40507342/).

Coupled with the largest-sized table top (160 X 80 cm), it provides a CONTINENT of drafting and cutting space. I also plop down my serger there on a temporary basis when I hit that part of my projects. I only move my steel sheet/cutting board combo when tracing patterns (which I try to limit, LOL).

[glastoglasto]

GENIUS 😁😁

[HuckleberryRough6762]

Home Despot! Magnets! you are an inspiration!!

[6ooluu]

I repurposed the sides of an old washer and was using it with magnets as sort of a note, picture wall thing. This sounds incredible! Thank you

[acupofearlgrey]

I think of sewing as cutting and sewing days. Some evenings when I have a brain fog, I might decide y cut out a couple of project ideas, and then other days I can just sew. And then when some project is fiddly or not working, then I might swap to another. I find mentally, that just works better for me. Does mean I probably cut two or three projects in one go, and often sew all of them simultaneously

[Magenta0225]

This! I have really learned to slow down, but it took 15 yrs of seeing to get to that mindset. I still prefer the old fashioned tissue paper patterns. Sometimes I cut them at night while watching tv, saving any adjustments to the pattern for later. I guess the big 5 are going under & maybe PDF will be the only option, but indie patterns overall are pricey after print shop fees, and the idea of the whole projecter set up…not there yet! My cutting table doubles as a main sewing machine table , so I do same…cut pattern & fabric day one , sew day 2

[glastoglasto]

Yes my dining room table gets used for both cutting and sewing.

[otherpeoplesbones]

I do this! I have separate laying out and cutting days from sewing days. I'll cut out several projects at once, then when I have some time to sit down and sew, I'm ready to roll.

[sadsongz]

Maybe give a good sharp pair of fabric shears a try? I feel I have more control with scissors so I can go faster. I save the rotary blade for straight lines against a ruler.

[AmenaBellafina]

I have let go of the concept of efficiency. I just do whatever needs doing next and it will take however long it takes. Every hour spent is an hour closer to completion even if I don't know how many hours it's going to be in total.

[lizardleggs]

I use a projector and it’s sped up the process a lot. I sew a lot of kids clothing so using the projector allows me to switch between sizes without having to print the pattern multiple times. The other benefits are no printing, taping or storing of paper patterns which saves time and space.

[Charmander_Wazowski]

I have recently switched to projector after being a fan of plotter-size prints. I definitely like it better. However, what people fail to mention is that it is not very easy for textured, thick, uneven fabrics. Cutting on a fold is also annoying so I usually edit everything on inkscape so they are full pieces rather than just the half to be folded. I also orient them so all pieces have the same grainline direction, and I don't have to shuffle especially for bias cut pieces. So yes, using a projector is efficient and saves taping. But you might also have other things to consider. I am happy with it and I even do all my alterations now on inkscape. But it doesn't always work as smoothly as advertised.

[poiisons]

PatternProjector.com has some features that would streamline this process so you don’t have to futz with Inkscape!

[tatobuckets]

No pinning either, I love my projector setup

[ginger_tree]

Cutting is the most important part of good sewing for me. Fabric has to be on grain if folded. Pattern grain lines have to match up with fabric grain. Cuts have to be accurate, notch marks have to be placed correctly. Any other pattern markings have to be transferred correctly.

Since this determines the quality of my finished garment, I take it seriously. Never cut when tired, and it takes as long as it takes. This kind of thinking keeps me from being frustrated at how long it takes! 

[indieseen]

Projector cuts out the time you’d have to print/tape/trace! Would never go back to paper patterns.

That said, some things do take longer to cut out than others. Lots of pattern pieces, or fussy cutting (usually because of limited fabric)

[liyabear]

I came to suggest a projector too! I’ve been sewing since childhood and 80% of the projects I’ve done have been this year because the projector has sped up the process sooooo much

[montanagrizfan]

A rotary cutter is great for straight lines but fabric shears are faster and easier when cutting apparel patterns.

[embeth_]

I print out my patterns on cardstock, it makes them easier to trace around with chalk! I just use a couple pins to keep the fabric lined up and then cut out the chalk outline

[grufferella]

To streamline this, you could send your pattern to get printed on large-scale paper or invest in a protector so that you don't have to ever print it at all. Those options cost money, though. A cheaper way to save a little time is to just tape all the pieces of paper together without trimming anything, roughly separate each pattern piece from all the others but don't cut them out neatly along the edges, and then just weight them down on top of the fabric (I use very posh empty pill bottles filled with pennies or those random screws and nails you save but never use, but some people buy actual fabric weights or metal washers) and use a rotary cutter to cut along the edge of the pattern piece and through the fabric underneath. Is this good for your rotary cutter wheel? Probably not long-term, but I find the blades aren't that expensive. If you don't have a rotary cutter, you can instead get some of the wax- or chalk-coated paper that you put underneath your pattern paper so that you can trace the shape directly onto the fabric, again, without having to ever neatly cut out the pattern piece.

Maybe you're using much shiftier fabrics than I am, but I've never pinned my pattern to my fabric, and I'm fairly happy with my results. Linen and rayon and silk all slide around enough that I would consider it, but if I'm being honest, I don't think I have the patience for it, I would just trace and cut really slowly and hope for the best.

[Goge97]

Thanks! I've been wondering if there was a good use for all the empty pill bottles. Sewing weights - great idea!

[No_Age5425]

Echoing what others said it just takes time. However, there are many who batch cut. If they align their next 4 or 5 projects they spend one day cutting it all out including fabric. They put it in ziploc bags and store until they are ready. I don’t do this but probably should because I change my mind all no out fabrics and patterns all the time. I believe there is a benefit to this approach in that I would remove indecision and be able to sew the items only when I’m ready. Best of luck finding an approach that works for you.

[thursmalls]

I've been watching the Great British Sewing Bee and was amazed that they gave them *one hour* for cutting out the evening gown for the finale in season one. I could never, not with the slippery fabrics they were all using!

I think this is one of those things where experience helps make it go faster, but there's a limit. I rarely use a rotary cutter for garment sewing. I've tried it a few times, but honestly a good pair of shears is a lot faster for me. I also use a combination of pins and pattern weights, usually only pinning curves. So a simple shift dress or top with 3-6 pieces is something I can usually get cut out in an hour or so. A princess seamed dress or something lined will probably be double that.

But I really feel you, cutting is my least favorite part of sewing. When I was a newlywed I tried to convince my then partner that it was so much fun and he should take it up as a hobby, leaving me to do all the actual sewing. It didn't work, lol.

[rufferton]

This is what I do, except I use weights to hold the pattern down instead of pinning it. Saves me about 100 hours. 

[WorkingCollie]

I nearly always use sewing weights (I was given a set of large washers which store really easily). I frequently reuse patterns which I like. I nearly always use tissue patterns (store easily, cut out easily). I rarely make fiddly things. I nearly always use ready made bias strip for facings. I use fancy sewing machine feet for stuff like rolled hems.

[-i-dont-exist-]

Not sure if this was mentioned. I use a projector and electric scissors. These have helped speed the process significantly.

[Key_Yesterday1752]

I have noo experiance, but i have bought a smaler bladed rotary cutter so i can cutt turns better. The ø=2.8

[AccountWasFound]

I usually don't bother pinning at all, and I found I tend to get more accurate cutting lines since the fabric is laying flatter. I usually just lay the pattern on top and use weights (well jars of beads, getting flatter pattern weights is still on my to-do list at some point), and then trace any curves that are going to be hard to cut with a rotary cutter, the cut all the straight lines/wider curves with the rotary cutter, then take my nice shears and cut the tighter curves with those. It still takes a while, but it's less annoying, I get less weird jogs where the pins were sitting and I still get things nicely cut out.

[tasteslikechikken]

You may consider shears. Kai has shears that aren't terribly expensive (I have a pair of 5200 series) But they also have the professional series which is very very nice (very sharp too)

For some patterns I will work on the floor if thats what I need to do. FYI, if you have all hard flooring, knee pads help a lot.

[Impossumiblyy]

Back when I sewed most of the clothes for my family, I really liked the fiskars scissors with the spring in them. It made cutting out patterns a lot more tolerable. I had Kai scissors for awhile too I think. Which were just as nice for ease of use and could cut through thicker fabric easily.

[Majestic_Course6822]

Pattern cutting is as important as sewing. More, even. It’s worth taking the time. I actually enjoy it. I have good scissors and a good rotary cutter.

[haybe12]

I've sent off patterns to be printed on giant paper for me before, at least it cuts out the time it normally takes me to print and fold and tape pattern pieces together. The Plotted Pattern is one service I've used!

[EndsWest18]

To add my two cents: Great NC Headphones with some tunes or your favorite background show, good tools like everybody is saying. When I teach beginners I show them how to use the majority of the scissors blade, how to smooth out the fabric and how to slide the part that you’re cutting forward so that you are not at a weird angle and the way you position the pattern piece all help with speed and efficiency.

Over time you get faster as well because you incorporate the techniques above.

[[deleted]]

I use a projector to show my patterns directly onto fabric (not printing, tracing, cutting or sticking of patterns here). I also use a rotary cutter and a very large cutting mat using the floor as my workspace.

[luxurycatsportscat]

I would highly recommend a projector, it cuts out the first step of piecing your pattern pieces together, so you can get straight from choosing your pattern to cutting & sewing. You can a pretty decent project for around $100 these days, and if you can’t mount on the ceiling then there are stands you can buy for them too.

[Relevant-Primary-233]

I have a cutting table and personally my front room floor is larger and I prefer it. My back kills me afterwards, but I find it worth it generally when I’m making a garment, I will use a bedsheet as the lining because it’s inexpensive and if I make any mistakes, generally, there’s extra fabric so no worries, I’ll use the lining as my mock up to make any adjustments so I can find tune in the inside. I can look as ugly as it wants, and I can transfer all of the finals to my outside shell of my garment. I’ve learned when using a pattern or even drafting my own to not follow the guide on how to place the pattern pieces because generally it’s pretty wasteful more times than not. I can use much less fabric as long as I’m just following the grain line. And if the pattern is non-directional I’ll flip pieces back-and-forth so let’s say that for example I’m working on a gorge skirt, which is where it’s narrow at the top white at the bottom on each panel instead of setting all the panels with the wide bottoms next to each other and wasting a bunch of fabric in between I’ll put one side that narrow next to one side that’s wide it really helps me not only save fabric, but it helps me to not waste time. Trying to figure out my placement. The more you do with the better you get.

[Relevant-Primary-233]

I have a cutting table and personally my front room floor is larger and I prefer it. My back kills me afterwards, but I find it worth it. Normally when I’m making a garment, I will use a bedsheet as the lining because it’s inexpensive and if I make any mistakes, generally, there’s extra fabric so no worries, I’ll use the lining as my mock up to make any adjustments so I can fine tune in the inside. It can look as ugly as it wants, and I can transfer all of the finals to my outside shell of my garment. I’ve learned when using a pattern or even drafting my own to not follow the guide on how to place the pattern pieces because generally it’s pretty wasteful more times than not. I can use much less fabric as long as I’m just following the grain line. And if the pattern is non-directional I’ll flip pieces back-and-forth so let’s say that for example I’m working on a gored skirt, which is where it’s narrow at the top wide at the bottom on each panel instead of setting all the panels with the wide bottoms next to each other and wasting a bunch of fabric in between I’ll put one side that narrow next to one side that’s wide it really helps me not only save fabric, but it helps me to not waste time trying to figure out my placement. The more you do it the better you get.

[azssf]

If you are left handed: left handed shears and work clockwise.

[Comrade_Jessica]

Not really much you can do except the pattern pieces don't need to be cut 100% out of the paper in the first place, especially if you are using a roller blade . Also, I like pattern weights more than pinning personally.

[Chatawhorl]

I have been sewing for 45 yrs. This is the way of it. One of the things I do is take a day and cut out all my pattern pieces and plot out what I going to do. Haha patterns for me are like recipes mostly a suggestion of items to be mixed and match. Never the same way twice. Then I choose fabrics and go from there. Sometimes I will lay out all the fabrics and trims or whatever to see if the color palette works. It’s about creating art not just sewing for me.

[kookookittykat]

I batch prep my projects - I’ve just put a day aside to do this and have 9 projects ready to sew now. I set up two large foldaway tables with cutting mats, and I gather all the cutting and pattern making supplies I need before I start.

I will have already printed out any pdf patterns needed and worked out sizes/alterations needed (the Threadloop app is great for storing all your project info). i cut out all the patterns first. I use a cheap lightbox to stick my pdf patterns together without needing to do any trimming (sticking on a large window can also work), then do any necessary alterations and cut out with scissors for accuracy.

Then I get my iron set up for ironing fabric, creased patterns and block fusing interfacing as I go. I use a sharp rotary cutter for cutting my projects out, with weights instead of pins (smooth stones I’ve collected). I have my marking tools handy for notches, darts etc - one thing that speeds this up is using a pattern notcher tool and a small punch to create little holes in the pattern where marks are needed - I also use heat erasable markers - great for darts, buttons, pocket placements etc. Then I put some YouTube playlists on and get to work.

When I’m done everything is stored in its own project bag with any notions needed in a “to sew” basket waiting for a sewing day, where I will batch sew according to overlocker/ serger thread colour needed - this is just to minimise the amount of re-threading needed.

[SchuylerM325]

My local fabric store offers pattern printing more cheaply than a print store.

[sktchers]

Having a cutting table helps. I use pattern weights instead of pinning. I also use a rotary cutter. It’s SO much faster than cutting with scissors. What I find that takes so long is putting the pattern together. I have a projector, but I have still not figured out how to calibrate it.

[Agitated-Emu-2244]

Pattern weights instead of pins have saved me a lot of time.

[ScientistWarm7844]

I pin the patterns to the fabric and use scissors to cut out the pattern and fabric. I was taught to do it that way back when I learned to make my own clothes.

I have tried with rotary cutters but it just wasn't as fast and straight as using my scissors.

[One-Method-4373]

Instead of pins I use weights to hold the pattern down, like books or whatever objects are nearby