Why I Keep Sewing the Same Pattern
There’s something slightly addictive about finding a sewing pattern that just works.
You make it once, wear it, notice a few things you’d change… and then instead of moving on to the next pattern, you make it again.
And again.
And before you know it, you’ve got four versions hanging in your wardrobe and a much better understanding of the pattern than you did when you started.
That’s exactly what happened with the Jarrah Sweatshirt by Megan Nielsen.
Four sweatshirts, one pattern
I’ve made four Jarrahs now, and although they all started with the same pattern, they don’t feel like four identical sweatshirts.
The first was a black loopback version.
Then came a green printed fleeceback jersey, followed by an organic cotton leopard print jersey. My fourth version used the same print as the green sweatshirt, but in coral, with a few more changes thrown into the mix.
And that’s where things get interesting.
Because when you make the same pattern several times, you start noticing things that are very easy to miss when you’re constantly sewing something new.
The first version is rarely the final version
There’s a temptation in sewing to think that once we’ve finished a garment, we should move on.
New pattern.
New fabric.
New project.
But I’ve found that repeating a pattern can be one of the quickest ways to improve your sewing.
The first version gives you information.
You learn how the pattern fits your body, how the fabric behaves, where you like a little more or less ease, and which details you would change next time.
Then you get to use all of that information on version two.
And version three.
And version four.
You’re not starting from scratch each time. You’re building on what you already know.
Small changes can make a big difference
One of my favourite things about repeat-making is that the changes don’t have to be dramatic.
Sometimes it’s something as simple as adjusting the length, changing the proportions or tweaking a detail so that it suits the way you actually wear the garment.
Those little adjustments can be the difference between something that is fine and something that becomes a genuine wardrobe favourite.
And because you’ve already sewn the pattern once, you can make those changes with much more confidence.
That’s particularly useful when you’re trying to build a handmade wardrobe that works for your body and your lifestyle, rather than simply recreating the version shown on the pattern envelope.
Fabric changes everything
The other thing these four Jarrahs have reminded me of is just how much fabric can change the personality of a pattern.
The construction stays broadly the same, but a black loopback sweatshirt feels very different from a bright printed jersey one.
Change the fabric and suddenly the same pattern can feel smarter, more playful, more casual or completely different from what you imagined when you first bought it.
It’s one of the reasons I love working with fabric I already have in my stash. Sometimes the fabric is what pushes you towards a particular version of a pattern.
Repeat-making is where the learning happens
As someone who trained as a textiles teacher, I think this is one of the most useful things about sewing.
You don’t necessarily learn the most by making a different project every single time.
Sometimes you learn more by doing the same thing again, but changing one or two variables.
You notice more.
You become quicker.
You start understanding why something works rather than simply following the instructions to get to the end.
And eventually, you start making decisions for yourself.
That’s the bit of sewing I really love.
Want to see how my four Jarrahs evolved?
I’ve shared the whole process in my vlog, including the fabrics I chose, the changes I made and the things I noticed along the way.
Watch the Jarrah Sweatshirt vlog on YouTube →
It’s less of a tutorial and more of a sewing diary, so you can come along for the process rather than just seeing the finished garments.
And now I’m curious…
Are you a “sew it once and move on” person, or do you find yourself tweaking a pattern until it becomes your pattern?
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