Getting to the good part, actually sewing, can seem like trying to reach the top of a mountain sometimes. I’m here to gear you up for getting over the hump with my tips and tricks for how to pattern prep and cut fabric. Follow these to learn how to actually start sewing and stop thinking about cutting out!

Prepare your space

Even if you don’t have a dedicated space for preparing your patterns and cutting your fabric you can set yourself up to make this task easier. Once you do, it is a breeze to start actually sewing. There are lots of ways to organize your space to make preparing your pattern much more pleasant, as I am doing here with the Ritual Dress and Shirt Pattern from Swim Style Patterns.

Keep tools nearby To Start Actually Sewing

I am not the most physically organized person by far, but if I keep things where I use them, it helps me a lot. What’s more, if your tools are already gathered it is easier to work on your patterns in short bursts when you have them.

Use something to contain your supplies and tools, like the silverware caddy you’ll see below. When my caddy turned toolbox is not in use, it lives in my dining room in this drawer. And it is easy to put away when company is coming or to keep it safe from little toddler hands when I need to leave the room. 

Well equipped

Have all the tools you need in whatever container you are using. My cutting tools, marking tools and measuring tools are always at my disposal. Even my extra rotary cutter blades are here. Don’t forget to include paper scissors, glue and scotch tape! Other items you might like to keep here are body measurements and fitting resources. 

Bonus points if you can fit a mirror into the space you’re using.  Or you can be like me and check the length of pant legs in your reflection in the china cabinet’s glass doors.

Contain your mess

Under my table I keep two boxes, one for garbage and one for recycling. You could make this as visually pleasing as you like, but the advantage to the box is that it can go straight to the recycling when it is full! It is easy to move out of the way when company comes over too. I like keeping my fabric scraps until I’m done a project just in case I mess up, so the garbage box is really handy, too. The scraps are out of the way and easily thrown out once I’m done, while still being accessible.

Cutting mats

Try to get enough mats to cover a large area of the table you are using.  I also slide my cutting mats behind the dresser when they are not in use. They are still available to be used but out of sight when we have guests over. I also have a cardboard mat underneath for extra coverage and protection and when I need to support longer pieces of fabric, I pull the cardboard out over some dining chairs.

Preparing my pattern To Start Actually sewing

I am team glue. For this reason, I save old rotary blades and switch them into my rotary cutter to cut the margins off print at home PDF patterns that are not no-trim patterns. I use my quilting ruler to cut off the margins of the top and left hand side of the pages before I glue them together.

You could also use a paper trimmer, like those guillotine style ones, if you want to be fancy. However, using my old rotary cutter blades avoids having extra equipment to store.

Orient yourself

I choose a direction which will ALWAYS be the top of my fabric when I am cutting a directional print. In this space, “up” is always towards the wall. Making another aspect automatic keeps me from overthinking myself out of sewing time. I often use my dining chairs to support fabric while cutting so they go at the end of my table and that is down.

Keep your interfacing on hand

I store my interfacing in the same drawer as my tools so I can cut it out right away with the rest of my pattern. If I leave the room to get it, I probably won’t make it back.

Pattern Storage

I like to use manilla envelopes to store my patterns so I keep those in my drawer as well. I am much more likely to put my pattern away if I have the supplies right here. I also have some patterns hanging on the wall hooks for some heirloom family photos that are in storage while we finish a renovation. But I swear I will be putting them back when we’re done.

Automation to Start Actually Sewing

Make as many aspects automatic and store everything close by to make preparing your pattern and cutting your fabric a breeze. This way you can start actually sewing as quickly as possible! If you want to up your game, try being a single-task sewist once the pattern prep is done!

Do you have any hot tips to make pattern prep easier? Let me know in the comments.