Stretch your pattern stash by learning to customize patterns with thoughtful details. We’ve rounded up nine pattern-hacking tutorials for skirts and pants today on the blog.
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16 ways to hack a pattern
Learning to alter pattern details for your taste helps you get the most out of your pattern stash, and allows you to truly become the designer of your own clothes. We’ve rounded up 16 pattern hacking tutorials from our archives. Take a look and see what you can do to jazz up your favorite tried-and-true pattern.
how to do a square shoulder adjustment
Mire from the Advisors Circle wrote up a tutorial for the way she makes a square shoulder adjustment on the Classic Shirt pattern. If you’re interested in fitting, you’ll want to take a look.
how to do a broad shoulder adjustment
Do you have broad shoulders? If your tops feel tight across the shoulders, you may need a broad shoulder adjustment. A garment that is too narrow in the shoulders can pull at the armhole seams. The sleeves may look distorted, …
how to insert an invisible zipper without fear: a tutorial
This tutorial shows you how to insert an invisible zipper. If you follow this method to install your invisible zipper, you will get perfect results every time!
adding welt pockets to the extra-sharp pencil skirt
Shelley modified the Extra-Sharp Pencil Skirt to look even sharper, by borrowing a detail from another Liesl + Co. pattern. We think this is such a clever idea. Read on to see how she did it.
tutorial: how to pattern-match a patch pocket
Lori’s Montauk Trousers feature comfy patch pockets big enough to hold her cell phone. Wait, you can’t see them? Neither can we. She did an amazing job of matching the floral, and she’s here today to teach you how she did it!
erica’s montauk shorts: a tutorial
The Montauk Trousers pattern makes a fabulous pair of summer shorts, too. Erica is here from the Advisors Circle to show you how to alter the pattern in this simple tutorial.
how to draft a turtleneck using any t-shirt pattern
Drafting a turtleneck for an existing t-shirt pattern is a simple task that doesn’t take much time. Learn how with this comprehensive photo tutorial.
how to do a narrow shoulder adjustment
Adjusting the shoulder width of a sewing pattern is a simple alteration that can drastically improve the fit of your handmade garment. Learn how to do a narrow shoulder adjustment with this photo tutorial. These instructions can also be used in reverse to do a wide shoulder adjustment.
how to sew a fully enclosed welt pocket
Here’s a tutorial that shows you how to sew a welt pocket with a clean finish on the inside that allows you to show off a beautiful design or a fun print.
how to do a high round back adjustment
Pattern adjustments are often necessary to achieve a custom fit. Learn to do a high round back adjustment with this photo tutorial. It’s a simple adjustment that can make an enormous difference in the fit of a garment.
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