Another great scrap buster project! Pattern weights help keep your paper sewing pattern in place while cutting, meaning no pins are required. Whether you're a beginner or experience sewist, these DIY pattern weights are fast, practical and satisfying to sew!
Materials Needed:
- Scrap pieces of fabric
- Ribbon
- Funnel
- Filling - I used fish tank gravel
- Optional - Polyfil as an extra filling
- Scissors or rotary cutter (with cutting mat)
- Ruler
- Pins or clips
- Point turner (or something with a pointy end)
- Sewing machine
- Hand needle
- All purpose sewing thread
I know using fish tank gravel sounds pretty rogue but when I was looking at what to use a lot of people were saying not to use any kind of food as this can attract mice. I doubt it is super common but still.. no thanks lol! Also sand was another option but that sounded a bit too messy for me! I purchased a 2kg bag for less than £4 on Amazon.
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Groovy Ooze Sewing Patterns
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Studio Favourites - Amazon Storefront
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Recommended Measurements
You can make your pattern weights any size you like - however the dimensions I used that I feel work well are:
Fabric - 4" x 8"
I found it easier to create a template prior to starting to now use every time I make some pattern weights.
Let's get making!
1. Cut Pieces
- Cut one piece of fabric 4" x 8"
2. Adding The Ribbon
- Fold the fabric in half lengthways and make a notch at the centre top and bottom.
- Place the fabric pretty side facing up.
- Fold the ribbon in half.
- Place the ribbon next to the top centre notch so the raw edges meet. Clip or pin to hold it in place.
3. Sewing The Pattern Weight
- Fold the fabric in half lengthways right sides together.
- Clip or pin around the top and side edge - leave the bottom edge open.
- Using a regular straight stitch and a 1/4" seam allowance sew around the top and side edge. Leave the bottom edge un-sewn. Backstitch at the beginning and the end.
- Open up the bottom edge and line up the sewn seam with the centre notch. Add clips or pins to hold in place.
- Mark a gap of around 1" at least 1/4" from the edge - this gap will be un-sewn and used to turn the fabric right side out.
- Using a regular straight stitch and a 1/4" seam allowance, sew across the edge leaving the gap for turning. Backstitch at the beginning and the end.
4. Turning The Fabric
- Clip the seams at each of the corners.
- Carefully turn the fabric right side out using the gap you left un-sewn.
- Use a point turner or something with a pointy end to gently push out the corners.
5. Stuffing The Pattern Weight
- Optional - Take a small amount of polyfil and stuff the top of the pattern weight (where the ribbon is) I do this because I like the shape it gives to the pattern weight but it's not absolutely necessary.
- Take your filling (I'm using fish tank gravel) - I'm using 100g for each pattern weight. I would recommend using anything between 50g-100g.
- Insert the funnel into the opening of the pattern weight and carefully add the filling.
6. Final Steps
- Using a needle and thread, sew the opening closed. You can use whichever stitch you like for this - I used a ladder stitch.
- You can be finished there or you can add any final embellishments - I used some fabric glue to attach a little bow to the top of each of my pattern weights.
Don't forget to tag me in your groovy creations! @GroovyOoze on instagram!
Click below to explore my sewing patterns:
All Groovy Ooze Sewing Patterns