How to Read a Sewing Pattern Envelope

Ok, so you want to make something and have no idea where to start, even the pattern envelope is confusing to you. Keep reading I can help with that.

We are going to go over a couple of different sewing brands and see what their pattern envelopes look like, these brand include Simplicity, Vogue and Kwik Sew. I wanted to get into the nitty gritty of the information on sewing patterns.

I really wanted to do this blog because every brand presents you with the relevant information a different way. This can be very confusing to people so I wanted to give a general idea of the information found and what it means for you when sewing. So let’s enjoy and get started!

Front of Envelope Overview

The front of the is where you can see what the large detail of this particular garment or style is like, find your version of this style and get ideas. You can see larger images and a general overlay of each item with in the ensemble.

Definitions of information for Front

Style Number – Is also is referred to as Pattern Number sometimes, this is a number that identifies the pattern. Most often this number is larger in large or bold font on the front of the patterns, sometimes it is also found on the back of the pattern. With vintage pattern this number shows up without a letter in the front of it but I have noticed a trend where this number may have a number in the front of it for modern patterns. Pattern number are reused every so often, just something to keep in mind if you are looking for vintage patterns.

Style Letter – This letter is located next to photo or an illustration on the front and back of the pattern envelope. When working with your pattern this letter is what will indicate what garment or version of the garment you are working with. On the back of the pattern it is part of the garment name as well.

Size or Size Range – This is how you know what size is in each sewing pattern. Pattern can come with only one size or a group of them such as seen on our example. To find out what size you need to make for the garment you like reference the back of the envelope and the Body Measurement chart.

Pattern Brand – This is the company that makes the patter, some examples are Burda, Simplicity, Vogue, Butterick, McCall’s, Kwik Sew, See & Sew, Sew Simple, and Folkwear. This companies will put their name on the front of the envelope most often it is in large font and you can’t miss it. But when a designer works with a brand sometimes the designers name is larger than the brand name. See Vogue pattern number V2880 as an example. The designer is Bellville Sassoon, and the brand is Vogue.

Style Illustration – Sometimes patterns have detailed illustrations to show the customer the details of the design. In vintage pattern you will see more illustration then photos.

Style Photo – This is a finished version of the pattern that is stage, photograph and then used as part of the cover art of the envelope you pattern come in. It serves the same role as a style illustration

Back of Envelope Overview

On the back of the pattern envelope you can see a lot of the nitty gritty construction details. You will find everything you need to know about gathering the materials to make the garment in this area. You may also find picture or illustration detailing what the back of the garment looks like.

Pictures of Back of Envelope

Definitions of information for Back

Stretch Guide – This is almost always located on the back of the pattern envelope. It is used to show how much stretch your fabric should have. I am working on another blog where I am going to go into more detail about stretch and stretch guides.

Written Description – I have found it helpful when trying to fully understand a garment to read the written description. Especially if there is a design made for an adult and a child, such as in mommy and me style clothing. A picture will be taken with both the adult style and kid style of the pattern in one go. In order to see which is which pattern you can look at the written description and know right off the bat. You can also look at the size on the envelope if needed to.

Piece Count – The piece count simply means how many pieces are in this pattern to make this outfit. Not all pattern have a count on the envelope but I thought it was worth at least mentioning. I found this on the simplicity patterns mostly. But if you previously cut out a pattern and wish to make sure all the pattern pieces are present when you go to use it again, I can see how having this on the envelope would be useful.

Technical Illustration – On the back of the pattern there are images that look like the garment was laid on a flat surface and sketch out, this are the technical illustrations. Mostly they are used to show you the back of the garment.

Suggested Fabrics – The suggested fabrics are located on the back of the pattern envelope. Most often this area is titled “suggested Fabrics” so it is really easy to find. What this area tells you is what kind of fabric to use for this project. If you don’t know what a given kind of fabric is you can ask a customer service rep at any fabric store for help.

If you have a intermediate or higher level of fabric knowledge you can kind of get the idea of what kind of fabric to use given the listed fabrics. However, if you are new to sewing I would suggest staying with the suggested fabrics.

Needed Notions – This area is pretty straight forward the Notions area list what notions are needed to complete this project.

Size Chart – This can show up on the back or the flap of the pattern envelope. It can a sliding scale, sometimes it is a numeric scale like, from size 4-24 but it can be a for example or S to XL.

Body Measurements – These are the more exact measurements that the size chart is based off of. It is important to understand what your bodies measurements are in order to find your correct size on the size chart.

Style Name – This is important because this information can be used in some patterns to indicate what pattern piece you need in order to finish the item you have selected out of a given pattern. Some pattern indicate this information by using the style letter however. I will try and find a picture for easy reference so you can see what I mean.

Fabric Yardage (By width) – You will typically find two widths of fabric at fabric stores, and that is 45” or 60” width fabric. The width of fabric is determined by opening up a length of fabric and measuring it form sleeve edge to sleeve edge. You can and will find other width of fabric but the most common are 45 and 60”. Out of the two 45” is the more common of the two widths. So when selecting your fabric for your project you want to keep this in mind. If you find you like a fabric that is less than 45” you will have to purchase more than the recommended with.

Looking at a pattern in the area will also show you how much of a given fabric you will need to finish a project.

Garment Measurements – this area refers to the ease (the extra amount of fabric allowance) that is accounted for when a pattern is made. This reflects in how it fits a person. When you wear clothing, you don’t want it to always be skin tight. Designers use an ease to accommodate the need to move around.

Nap Reference – Nap reference indicates to the sewer whether or not it is a good idea to use nap on a fabric. In the two example I have given both the Simplicity’s pattern and the vogue patter have nap reference. You may not find this on a pattern for whatever reason, as seen on the Kwik Sew pattern.

I looked over plenty of YouTube videos and other blogs to proper this blog for you but I still want to say think you to the people that inspired this and they are listed below.