Commercial Sewing Pattern Poll
The following is a survey I am conducting for a problem-solving class in college. It seems to me that [redacted]. If you have the time, please copy and paste the questions and post your answers to the comments of this entry, just like if you were filling out a meme. Thanks very much for your time
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2.) How many years of sewing experience do you have? 20 years
3.) How often do you sew? few times a month
4.) Why do you sew this frequently or infrequently? Most of the items I sew are costuming pieces which require alot of time to work on, so I build it into my schedule to sit and sew a few times a month to be done on time.
5.) Do you sew most often for yourself, or for other people? Other people. I've sewn for myself maybe twice.
6.) What do you sew the most often? (Examples: Clothes for adults, clothes for children, costumes, gender specific clothes, et cetera) I sew costuming for Renn Faires, Live Action Roleplaying Events, Cosplay, themed weddings. Most of what I sew is for adult females.
7.) Do you generally use commercial sewing patterns produced by companies such as Simplicity, Butterick, and McCall’s? Why or why not? Yes, I do use commercial patterns as a base for me.
8.) If you have used commercial sewing patterns published by other companies (Note: Vogue is a child company of McCall’s), what did you like or not like about their pattern instructions? Why did you like or not like these things? I liked that they had the style I was looking for, but the instructions were difficult to follow and some didn't have diagrams to follow along.
9.) Do you follow a pattern’s instructions while you are using it? Why or why not? Mostly. I modify quite often.
10.) Do you feel that the instructions for commercial sewing patterns are easy to follow? Why or why not? Instructions for the Big 3 are relatively easy, and I find that some are better than others.
11.) Should the instructions for commercial sewing patterns be more specifically aimed at inexperienced seamstresses, and therefore use plainer language and clearer descriptions (just as a start)? Why or why not? I find it would be less intimidating for the inexperienced if they could find patterns they liked with easier instructions (ie. same pattern, different difficulty levels).
12.) Do you think that the diagrams included in commercial sewing pattern instructions are confusing? Why or why not? Diagrams can be very confusing at times. I have had patterns that had a diagram that took me a full 30 minutes to figure out what they were trying to achieve, then gave up and did it the way that made the most sense to me.
13.) Do you think there should be more diagrams used in commercial sewing pattern instructions? Why or why not? Absolutely more diagrams. If you are inexperienced, it's far more helpful to have something to look at for before you sew and after for each section so you know you have it right.
14.) Would you be interested in the ability to access pattern instructions on the Internet, as well as having a printed copy with your pattern? Keep in mind this would have many benefits other than allowing you access to the instructions if you lose your printed copy. Why or why not? If I could get replacement instructions on the internet without having to buy an entire new pattern, that would be perfect.
15.) Would you be interested in having access to instructional videos on the Internet for the pattern you are using? Why or why not? I'm not currently interested in instructional videos for each pattern at this time, as I sew in an entirely different room from my computer, but I can see the benefit of having this resource available if the instructions are not clear.
16.) What changes would you like to see made to commercial pattern instructions to make them more convenient for your use?
More diagrams.
17.) What pattern would you say has been the most difficult for you? If you can’t name a specific pattern, the name of the company that published it will do nicely. Why was this pattern so difficult for you?
McCall's patterns are the most difficult for me. I recently made some 19th century ladies bonnets for a caroling group, and the instructions were horrible, there were notions listed in the instruction that had not been on the back of the pattern envelope, and overall it was just a miserable project. The bonnets came out gorgeous, but it took me about 20 hours for each bonnet.
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