mccall's and simplicity patterns

[crazzeesewing]

i've been sewing since i was 12 (had to take sewing and cooking 7-9 grade, kept sewing til 12 grade and been sewing since.)
and have used simplicity,mcca'lls,butterick,burda and even the ludlo system but in all my 30 plus years of sewing i have
problems with mccall and sometimes simplicity patterns. i was just wondering if it was me or the directions?? or is anyone else having the same problem??
Over the last few years and patterns later-- i always come across with directions in the pattern that don't make sense or was difficult to do.
i've always managed to figure it out but if i was a beginner sewer--i would have thrown the pattern and directions across the room!!!! i'm using a mccall's and simplicity pattern to make halloween costumes and there were parts i had to re-read over and over again. i'm not dumb but whoever wrote the directions
missed the mark and i figured out how to sew without the directions. so who-ever else uses these --are you under the same opinion??? due to the fact that sometimes the directions don't make sense--i mainly sew with-out them.

thanks,
regina

[MartySews2]

Regina, I've noticed over the past 10 years or that pattern instructions are poorly written & sometimes patterns are poorly drafted. From watching Project Runway, not all designers know how to sew. I skim the directions to any pattern (mostly sew Butterick, Vogue & Simplicity) for anything unusual & then I go about my merry way making the garment. I seldom follow pattern directions verbatim as they don't make sense to me. I've been sewing since the early 1960's.
Marty

[temom]

I hate, hate, hate Mccalls patterns!

I have never had a good experience with them. They often leave steps out. Just recently, I succumbed to dd's request to make doll clothes for her 18 inch doll, and since mccalls were on sale for 1.99, that is what we bought.

DD is 9 years old, but knows her way around a sewing machine. She loves to create, and I thought this would be a good way to show her how the regular patterns work (up till now she has only used the Kwik Sew shorts pattern, from the book Kwik Sew for children).

Well we chose a tee shirt for the doll, thinking that would be a quick and easy project. The tee shirt fastened in the back, rather than went over the head.

First off, the pieces weren't individually marked. They were just in a rectangle for each garment. The pieces were not marked to cut 1 or 2, so we assumed 1, and had to go back and cut 2 for everything but 1 piece. Then when she went to cut the fabric out, we noticed that the corners of the pattern didn't match up - there was blank pattern paper, a break in the line, and when the line continued, it didn't match up, but was off by over 1/4 of an inch. So we had to guess where the cutting line should be, and make our own.

Then we tried to put it together, following the directions. It now sits in a pile next to her machine, unfinished, because her frustration level (and mine) went through the roof.

I should have stuck to my guns and said NO MCCALL PATTERNS!

[DorothyL]

I really don't have many problems with any pattern company. I can figure most things out. But then I have been sewing for about 137 years.

Dorothy

[momquilts]

I bought Butterick because they were the only baby patterns in the books at Joann Fabrics. The printed direction pages are numbered 'pg. 1 of 4, pg 2 of 4, pg 3 of 4, back page left intentionally blank'. The attachment of the 'footy' part of the jumpsuit is not in any of the directions. Luckily that is not the view I'm making but I still feel like contacting the company.

Oh and speaking of patterns....the pattern for bumper pads and bedskirt (Butterick/Waverly) that I bought last Saturday at Joann's (regularly $16.95 but they discount-$10.17) is now on sale for $0.99!!! I have not taken the pattern out of the envelope because when I read the directions, there aren't even pattern pieces for what I'm making They just give you dimensions and you cut after measuring the fabric or in my case, I'll cut with my quilting ruler and rotary cutter.

Are patterns returnable if you haven't unfolded the pieces?

[Mom of Six]

when I worked in the fabric store we would take them back if they were not opened at all. But when the same person brought them back often we stopped taking them back. we found out she was using them to design her own patterns from the directions.

I very rarely look at the directions unless I am making something new. Then I just skim through & do it my own way.
I use whatever patterns are cheap & have the style I want!
I do like Butterick the best though. They seem to fit my body type better.

[LeapFrog Libby]

I am 76 years old and all this time I thought it was me ! ! ! I quit Mccalls years ago, but every once in a while when they are 1.00, I'll try one again.. No luck..Thank goodness, I know now I am not alone ! !

[bridesmom]

Me too! I like the Burda patterns best, especially for fit. I find the McCalls and Simplicity make me want to pull my hair out. Who writes the instructions anyhow???

[momquilts]

FYI ~ Joann's will take back an unused, unopened pattern. Ask me how I know? I don't think I'm going to buy it, not even at $0.99.

[Christine]

Hi everyone... I have been sewing for about 35 years and I have to take the English instructions and rely on my sewing experience to understand them, you should read how the French instructions are translated!!!! it is quite scary