Welcome to Clothesline Patterns

-the home of Simple, Speedy Sewing.

Clothesline INSTAGRAM

Meri Blouse is a traditional dress worn in the Pacific Islands, originally introduced by missionaries I've heard. I made these four for a concert at church for some New Guinean ladies. The pattern cutting is very simple with little fabric wasted. And
To finish Me Made May, here's my favourite make of all time, worn by the lovely Emily. It's 5 metres of Ikea upholstery fabric, patternmaking uses subtraction cutting methods (google Julian Roberts, he has lots of free resources). As you can see from
What can I say? I'm in no danger of running out of handmade clothes for Me Made May (last count- more than 50 items in my wardrobe) but they are getting more...unusual. This flatpack shawl (it is a flat shape with armholes) was a college design proje
I made three of these dresses, because they look more complicated to make than they really are. This is black linen with a bit of sashiko stitching - cool to wear in summer or over a tee shirt when the temperatures go down. #memadewardrobe #sewers of

How to measure stretch... and recovery

Patterns often specify that you use a fabric with a certain percentage of stretch.   Easiest method of measuring % stretch?  Use a metric ruler!

Place 2 pins 100mm apart.  See how far your fabric will comfortably stretch.  To 120mm?  That's an extra 20mm or 20% stretch. Stretches to 150mm?  The extra 50mm means 50% stretch. Get the idea?  If it stretches to 200mm that's an extra 100mm or 100% stretch.

This is also a good time to check recovery as well.  If your fabric returns to it's original size, it has great recovery.  If it stays a bit stretched, it has poor recovery and you could have problems with your garment stretching out of shape over time.