It is almost Halloween right? So, let's talk about some ScARy things of sewing. Reading a pattern is up there for me. Just thinking about it, I can feel the weight of the pattern in my hand and the glare of the lady at the cutting counter as she asks me for the third time, "Now, how much fabric did you want." Let's face it, this is scary stuff. 
Once you look through the pattern book and find the dress or skirt that you want, look for the pattern number in the top left corner. Just to the right of the pattern number is the sizing. It is important that you buy the right pattern for your size. Usually for women's patterns there is a smaller sized pattern from 2-10 and a bigger sized patter from 8-16. Also, when you are buying women's pattern you want to buy and cut out one or two sizes bigger than your normal size. Women's patterns are sized small and it is much easier to take in a skirt than to cut out a new one.
On the back of the pattern you will find a list of everything that you need to make the item. Choose which view you want to make and then find that letter on the chart. The sizes run across the very top of the chart. Find your view (represented by a letter) then find your size. Where these meet will tell you how much fabric you will need.
There is also a "Notions" section. This will tell you everything that you need to make the dress. Look at this before you leave the store so that you make sure you have everything you need to complete the project. 
When you open your pattern, you will find a few sheets of paper with instructions on it. The first one will have the cutting instructions.
There is also a diagram of all the pattern pieces. Under the diagram is a list of all the pieces with a letter to the right. The letters correspond with the view of the dress that you are making. If there are no letters to the right, then all views need those pieces. For example, pieces 1 and 2 on this pattern, will be cut out for all views of the skirt. A helpful hint: when I am figuring out which pieces to cut out, I mark the ones that I need with a little dot, so that I don't forget anything or cut out something I shouldn't.
This picture shows cutting layouts, so you can best use your fabric.
On the right corner of the front page, there is a "General Directions" page. It tells you all about the signs on the pattern pieces, how to lengthen and shorten your dress and other great things.
Each pattern piece has their number and description on it. This one is "#1 Front and Back". It tells you how many to cut and where to place the fabric. The notches or little triangles on the side are to be cut into the fabric. They will help you line up the other pieces when you sew them together.
There is also a diagram of all the pattern pieces. Under the diagram is a list of all the pieces with a letter to the right. The letters correspond with the view of the dress that you are making. If there are no letters to the right, then all views need those pieces. For example, pieces 1 and 2 on this pattern, will be cut out for all views of the skirt. A helpful hint: when I am figuring out which pieces to cut out, I mark the ones that I need with a little dot, so that I don't forget anything or cut out something I shouldn't.
This picture shows cutting layouts, so you can best use your fabric.
On the right corner of the front page, there is a "General Directions" page. It tells you all about the signs on the pattern pieces, how to lengthen and shorten your dress and other great things.
Each pattern piece has their number and description on it. This one is "#1 Front and Back". It tells you how many to cut and where to place the fabric. The notches or little triangles on the side are to be cut into the fabric. They will help you line up the other pieces when you sew them together.So, did that help? I hope that you feel a little less fearful of that lady standing behind the counter. She really is just there to help (just ask her, she'll tell you).
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