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.) Years of sewing experience do you have? 18
3.) How often do you sew? 4-7 times/wk
4.) Why do you sew this frequently: Because I love sewing!
5.) Do you sew most often for yourself, or for other people? 70% for me, 30% for others
6.) What do you sew the most often? Historical garb
7.) Do you generally use commercial sewing patterns produced by companies such as Simplicity, Butterick, and McCall’s? No, not anymore. The big 3 do not provide anything that is remotely historically accurate, for any period.
8.) If you have used commercial sewing patterns published by other companies, what did you like or not like about their pattern instructions? Why did you like or not like these things? I've been using Truly Victorian and Margo Anderson patterns a lot lately. These patterns are not only VERY easy to size, but they are clear, go together easily, and come with a lot of extra research, including period fabric and trim suggestions. The pattern makers are also very customer-oriented and respond quickly to any questions regarding the patterns.
9.) Do you follow a pattern’s instructions while you are using it? For the big 3, I follow the instructions very loosely. They commonly use needlessly difficult methods for putting things together and my experience has taught me simpler and better looking methods. Ex: for zipper installation or attaching lining to a garment. Or they have certain steps in the wrong spot, such as attaching trims or inserting boning.
10.) Do you feel that the instructions for commercial sewing patterns are easy to follow? Sometimes. See question 9.
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)? Maybe not so much aimed at the inexperienced. See question 9.
12.) Do you think that the diagrams included in commercial sewing pattern instructions are confusing? Again, sometimes. I've run across a few patterns where the diagrams did not match the instructions at all. Or there were diagrams for a step where the instructions were omitted.
13.) Do you think there should be more diagrams used in commercial sewing pattern instructions? There should be more *useful* diagrams. I don't need a diagram to show me how to "sew the front to back at side seam."
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? I probably wouldn't utilize something like that. As I rarely use the directions anyway, I'd probably just push on without guidance. Or replace the pattern at a 1$ each sale at JoAnns. I tend to lose the actual pattern pieces more often than the directions.
15.) Would you be interested in having access to instructional videos on the Internet for the pattern you are using? If the directional videos are useful, then yes. But again, if they're showing me how to sew a side seam, I wouldn't use it.
16.) What changes would you like to see made to commercial pattern instructions to make them more convenient for your use? They need to be edited before the patterns are published, to be sure they actually contain all the intended steps. Someone with real sewing experience should make them off the directions too, so the needlessly complicated steps can be simplified and put in a more logical order.
17.) What pattern would you say has been the most difficult for you? Why was this pattern so difficult for you? I hate using Butterick patterns. The "sizes" are so general that it makes them practically useless. My measurements put me at a size 14, but I usually have to make a size 10 to get anything that remotely fits. And that's only *usually.* All the patterns include too much ease, so the finished product ends up shapeless and extremely baggy. And often the finished garment looks very little like the example on the envelope. In my experience, they are the worst for not matching up diagrams with directions, putting directions in the wrong order, and making each garment as complicated as possible.
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