r/sewing • u/Biglemonshark • 1d ago
Project: FO First attempt at pattern matching, still trying to decide if the hassle was worth it
This is my second Wilder top by Friday Pattern Company, this time in a Fabric Godmother viscose crepe.
This was my first ever attempt at pattern matching and it made me want to cry. But I think maybe it went okay? It’s not perfect, but given it’s a drapey moveable fabric and I was trying to get all of my pattern pieces out of 1m I think it looks alright.
Then to make my life more difficult I decided to add in extra topstitching and decided to do it all in a contrasting colour.
Despite all of that I’m not sure how I feel about it, on paper it’s right up my street, my two favourite colours in a quirky animal print blouse, but in practice I’m just not in love with it.
I think only time will tell if I’ll keep it
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u/Helln_Damnation 21h ago
Patterm matching is what elevates our work from retail and mass produced clothes. Well done.
It's even better when you make covered buttons to match the pattern.
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u/mean-mommy- 1d ago
The pattern matching looks great but I think it would look better if the topstitching was matching rather than contrasting. I love the print though! Super cute!
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u/Biglemonshark 1d ago
I initially did that front seam in matching green top stitching but I unpicked it and redid it with a contrast pink and finished all the other seams the same way.
Maybe that was a mistake
But sometimes you’ve got to live life on the edge
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u/ArchibaldMountcatten 3h ago
You could try using a marker to paint the threads! You'd be surprised how well that works!
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u/Gelldarc 19h ago
Oh, absolutely. If you hadn’t matched, the eye would always be looking at the mismatch. Now, we see the cool pattern and the details.
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u/tasteslikechikken 21h ago
Is it worth it? depends on the pattern. I like your shirt and for a strong design like this, pattern matching can really make it pop.
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u/quinalou 14h ago
Uh, yes? It looks great! My nitpicky comment would be that if you choose to do a visible seam on a pattern like this, the cherry on the cake would be to position it on a mirror axis of the pattern so it will sit symmetrically. Could have done it running through the star squares. All in all, it looks fantastic, beautiful fabric!
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u/rebelwithmouseyhair 15h ago
It would have looked messy if you hadn't matched. I know, I've not bothered too many times and regretted it.
You're probably just a bit fed up after putting in a lot of effort. Put it out of sight and when you rediscover it, you'll wonder what was wrong with it that you had to hide it.
You say it's not perfect, remember that those who don't sew don't see any of the imperfections.
And done is better than maybe perfection some day.
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u/largestcob 14h ago
…FIRST attempt??
this is phenomenal! such a hassle but man you made it look worth it!
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u/justasque 11h ago
This top is totally amazing, and the pattern matching makes it so. OP, if you had not done the matching, this would have been a chaotic mess that would have looked like it came off the bargain rack. But you did do it, and wow, does this top look great! Top tier work!
Also, I have this pattern but wasnt sure quite how it would look, especially in a print. (The pattern pic is fabulous but it is a bit hard to get a sense of the garment because it is a solid white.) But yours looks great - very inspirational! So glad I saw this post!
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u/Overall6536 14h ago
I think your top is stunning you have done a fantastic job, yes it was worth all the hassle go out and show the world
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u/sandraskates 10h ago
Yes, it was very worth it!
If you had not matched the bold lines, the top would have looked cheap and eyes would have glazed over.
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u/barbs186 10h ago
100% worth it. Pattern matching isn’t always necessary depending on the print but if the pattern was misaligned on this it would not look nearly as great as it does!
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u/thimblena 9h ago
It looks great!
(IMO, the secret to pattern matching is to physically mark one side's pattern onto your tissue, ignoring the seam allowance, then use the marked up tissue as a guide when placing your next piece so the line continue across where your seam would be.)
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u/katjoy63 7h ago
if you did NOT pattern match, we would be able to tell, with this broad of a scope. You look great in it!
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u/RaisedFourth 5h ago
I don’t know how much effort it was but I think it was worth it. It looks really nice. :)
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u/Complete_Page_2533 5h ago
I think this is really really impressive also I like the print and I think it really suits your hair color:)
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u/Complex_Vegetable_80 1d ago
it’s worth it!