Striped Fabrics

Striped fabric: prepare the seams before cutting

Stripes highlight the lines of a shirt, skirt, or pants. Their width and contrast change the appearance, but their direction also imposes placement choices. Study the flat pattern before calculating the length of the fabric.

Identify regular and irregular stripes

A symmetrical repeat does not align like a series of bands of different widths. Identify the complete pattern and choose a reference stripe to align the front, back, or pockets. Also check the grainline: orienting a piece solely for its graphic effect can change its behavior.

Prioritize visible pieces

First place the elements where the seams matter most, then the smaller pieces. For a patch pocket, draw the stripes on the pattern to achieve the desired placement. Allow for seam allowances and extra fabric for adjustments. A bias cut should follow the possibilities of the pattern and the fabric.

Does the pattern's yardage include stripe matching?

Not necessarily. Check the pattern instructions and the repeat of the chosen motif. Precise matching may require more length than placing a solid fabric.