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To
prepare your fabric for layout on a fold, fold the fabric for the layout
carefully. Make sure that the pattern is balanced on the fold line
as shown in the photo above. Pin the two ends of the fold line
first, then pin the rest of the pattern. Remember when it says "Place on
Fold" on a pattern piece, that is the end that must be placed on the fold,
and we never cut that part. When
you are ready to lay your pattern out onto the fabric there are a couple
of things to consider. One, is your pattern or print on your fabric
all pointing one way? If not, like shown in the photo above or
below, you may proceed on pinning the pattern. If so, an example of this
would be if the fabric pattern had a flower pattern with a stem and leaf
all pointing the same direction. In this case, you must make sure
that all of your pattern pieces have the hem with the flower stem
at the bottom. You don't want to make a garment with upside down
flowers, and you don't want to have a garment with the front of it having
the flowers the right way and the back of it having upside down flowers.
This is also the case for any fabric with a nap such as velvets and
corduroy.
Another
consideration is if your fabric pattern has bold stripes. Which way
should they go? If you are making a garment for someone who is short
and heavy or round, you would want the stripes to go vertical not
horizontal. Horizontal stripes would look good on straight skirts
but not flared.

As shown in the photo above when laying your pattern make sure the
"straight of grain line" is parallel to your fold line, or your selvage
line. To make sure it is even, measure each end of the "straight of
grain" arrow and adjust your pattern until they are equal in length to the
salvage edge.

Sometimes, to save
fabric space, you may have to turn pattern pieces upside down as shown in
the photo above. The pattern piece to the left was turned upside
down to save fabric and room.

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