Transfer Pattern Markings (5510 Views)

There are several ways to transfer the important marks on your patterns, and doing so properly is a very important part of the sewing process.

Step 1 of 3

The easy method involves a pair of snippers and a tailor's chalk or pencil. This can be used to mark the notches, darts, tucks, pleats, fold lines, center front, and center back. First, cut the pattern so that the right side of the fabric is inside.

Snip about 1/4" (0.6 cm) into the seam allowance along the marking. Illustrated above, you can see how you would mark a straight tapered dart.
Step 2 of 3

To mark the dart apex, push an awl or a pin through the pattern and all layers of the fabric. Unpin the edges, and fold back the pattern until the point where you have pinned. Mark the apex with tailors chalk or a pencil on the wrong side of the fabric.

For fisheye darts (usually in torso blocks, dresses, and jackets), do not make any snips. Use this method for making all of the markings.
Step 3 of 3

To mark buttonholes or other markings that will be on the right side of the fabric, follow the instructions in step 2 but instead of marking with a pencil, use long loose basting stitches to make the mark. For buttonholes, make one long stitch that indicates the width and direction of the buttonhole as indicated on the pattern.