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Pattern Checklist
Seven things to check before you buy, print or cut a sewing pattern.
Use the checklist →PRACTICAL SEWING KNOWLEDGE · 40+ YEARS IN CLOTHING
Practical Sewing Advice from a Garment Technologist
Understand sewing patterns, fit, ease, grading, fabric and construction before small decisions become expensive mistakes.
40+ YEARS IN THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY
Practical advice from Richard Reddington
Garment technologist and product-development specialist with experience across fit, grading, construction, specifications and manufacturing.
SEW SMARTER LIBRARY
Useful answers before you cut
These guides focus on the technical decisions that most often affect fit, appearance and sewing success.
S
Choose the Right Pattern Size
Body measurements, finished garment measurements, ease and what to do between sizes.
Choose your starting size →E
Understand Pattern Ease
Wearing ease, design ease, negative ease and how to calculate the room in a garment.
Understand ease →?
How Much Ease Should I Add?
Use garment, fabric and fit intention to decide what a useful ease allowance looks like.
See the practical ease guide →=
Free Pattern Ease Calculator
Enter your body and finished garment measurements to calculate total ease instantly.
Calculate your ease →M
Finished Garment Measurements
Learn what the finished numbers mean and how to use them before cutting.
Read the measurement guide →L
Finished Length
Check where garment length is measured and how much to add or remove before cutting.
Check finished length →G
Grade Between Sizes
Blend pattern sizes while protecting seam shape, balance and the intended fit.
Learn grading basics →F
Fabric Guide
Weight, drape, stretch, recovery and shrinkage — and why fabric choice changes the result.
Choose fabric better →↔
Fit Guide
How body measurements, finished garment measurements, ease and balance work together.
Improve the fit →C
Construction Guide
Seams, reinforcement, interfacing, pressing and sequence — details that improve quality.
See construction tips →✂
Sewing Tools
A practical approach to tools that improve accuracy, control and consistency.
See the useful tools →START HERE
Before You Buy Another Sewing Pattern
A pattern photograph can be beautiful and still leave important technical questions unanswered. My free checklist covers sizing, finished measurements, ease, grading, fabric, print scale, seam allowance and construction information.
MY VIEW
Sewing Pattern Secrets
I have been reviewing Sewing Pattern Secrets as one possible pattern resource. I have not personally sewn every design in the library, so I would rather explain what I like, what I would check and let you decide whether the styles and support suit the way you sew.
The important question is not simply how many patterns are included. It is whether you will use enough of the patterns, instructions and tutorials to make the package worthwhile for you.
Affiliate disclosure: If you purchase through my link, I may receive a commission from ClickBank at no additional cost to you.