Zero Waste Patterns: 20 Projects to Sew Your Own Wardrobe

Product Information

Sizing: A (10-12-14-16-18-20-22-24), which is approx. UK sizes A (8 – 20/22) based on our standardised size chart. Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.

There’s no specialized software for making zero-waste patterns. Software for regular patterns isn’t suitable because the patternmaking, size grading, and layout functions are all separate. Some designers use CLO3D or Illustrator or, like me, make patterns manually. I do use regular patternmaking software if the zero-waste pattern only comes in one size (for example, for accessories). Fabric Yield Grab your pile of fabric scraps and try your hand at the Sew Scrappy Top. You’ll put all those extra pieces to use in this super fun shirt. This pattern comes in sizes 6 months – Big Kid 14 and Adult XXS – 6XL (see the link above for measurements).

Sustainable sewing with stash-busting patterns

So – where are the best places to find zero waste patterns? Zero Waste Pattern Books Birgitta Helmersson – Zero Waste Patterns

When talking about sustainability in the fashion industry (and, by extension, in home sewing), one of the concepts that comes up often is zero-waste design (or sewing patterns). It’s a very interesting approach, that looks at the pattern cutting process in a completely different way, resulting in shapes that are functional, simple looking, but also very cleverly assembled at the same time. I also think that zero waste design can be an awesome intellectual challenge. It’s a very different way of looking at shapes and it does become creative problem solving at its best.

Sewing Bee: Pattern Picks

As mentioned earlier, my next post will look at just a few of my makes, and the patterns I have tried in the hope that I can inspire some Sewcialist readers/followers to give it a go themselves. A garment which is zero waste is designed in a different way to regular garments. Normally, the process starts with a fashion sketch, it’s interpreted into a pattern by a patternmaker, then the pattern pieces are laid out on the fabric in the most economical way (and cut out). With a zero waste garment, the design, pattern and layout are all made at the same time. The designing happens as the pattern and layout develop. The design reveals itself when the pattern is complete. Can you see how different this is to how we normally design? It’s using patternmaking as the design tool. I thought I would talk about how I make a zero waste pattern and show you an example from the book.