Understanding Pattern Notches When you first start using paper patterns it is like trying to learn a new language. They are covered in lines, words, odd symbols and lots of little black triangles which known as notches. Notches are also sometimes shown as a small line perpendicular to the cutting line. The purpose of notches […]
Add To CartUnderstanding the Notches on Patterns
00Understanding Pattern Notches When you first start using paper patterns it is like trying to learn a new language. They are covered in lines, words, odd symbols and lots of little black triangles which known as notches. Notches are also sometimes shown as a small line perpendicular to the cutting line. The purpose of notches is to help you join pieces of the pattern together correctly. If a pattern piece has a notch on it there will be a corresponding notch on the pattern piece that it joins to. By making sure that the notches match up you will be joining the two seams together correctly and in the right place. Sometimes you will see two notches together. Where you have this you are always matching two notches up with two notches on the corresponding pattern piece. One place where you will see two notches is on a sleeve. One notch indicates the front of the sleeve and there are two notches on the back. This means you know which side is the back of the sleeve and it will prevent you from putting the sleeve in backwards. When you cut your fabric out you need to mark the notches onto the fabric. One way is that when you get to the notch you cut a small triangle into the waste fabric so that it stands out from the edge of your pattern piece. The advantage of this method is that it is probably the easiest way to see where the notches are so that they can be matched. The disadvantage is it will slow you down when cutting out your fabric and it is easy to accidentally go past the notch without cutting the triangle. A quicker and more popular way is to make a small cut into the seam allowance where the notch is. However make sure your cut is shorter than your seam allowance or it will show on your finished garment! The important thing to remember is that notches must match up. If they don’t check again that you are sewing the correct pieces of the pattern...
Understanding Pattern Notches
When you first start using paper patterns it is like trying to learn a new language. They are covered in lines, words, odd symbols and lots of little black triangles which known as notches. Notches are also sometimes shown as a small line perpendicular to the cutting line.
The purpose of notches is to help you join pieces of the pattern together correctly. If a pattern piece has a notch on it there will be a corresponding notch on the pattern piece that it joins to. By making sure that the notches match up you will be joining the two seams together correctly and in the right place.
Sometimes you will see two notches together. Where you have this you are always matching two notches up with two notches on the corresponding pattern piece. One place where you will see two notches is on a sleeve. One notch indicates the front of the sleeve and there are two notches on the back. This means you know which side is the back of the sleeve and it will prevent you from putting the sleeve in backwards.
When you cut your fabric out you need to mark the notches onto the fabric. One way is that when you get to the notch you cut a small triangle into the waste fabric so that it stands out from the edge of your pattern piece. The advantage of this method is that it is probably the easiest way to see where the notches are so that they can be matched. The disadvantage is it will slow you down when cutting out your fabric and it is easy to accidentally go past the notch without cutting the triangle.
A quicker and more popular way is to make a small cut into the seam allowance where the notch is. However make sure your cut is shorter than your seam allowance or it will show on your finished garment!
The important thing to remember is that notches must match up. If they don’t check again that you are sewing the correct pieces of the pattern together!
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