Review: Named Patterns

Thanks so much for your honest feedback on my Fran Tie shirt. I will have a think about what to do with it. I liked the suggestion of dying it bordeaux! Maybe a change of colour would help. We'll see if it makes its way into my wardrobe.

Anyhow, I've written a review about my experience of sewing with a Named pattern. This is the first review in a series of 12 reviews that I will be posting to this site in the course of A Year in Indie Patterns.

At the bottom of this post you will find a button, which allows you to add a link to your Named review. If you have written and posted a review to your blog, you can add it to the link list.

Let's get started.

REVIEW: Named Patterns 

PATTERN TESTED:

Fran Tie Shirt, Size 42-44, PDF pattern

Photos here

WHAT I LIKED:

THE DESIGNS - Sadly, my Fran Tie Shirt doesn't look quiet as nice on me as I had envisioned but nevertheless I'm still in love with many of the Named pattern styles. I think they are quite fresh and modern and different to other indie patterns I've seen out there.

THE PDF PATTERN - As much as I like to get my hands on a nicely packaged and printed pattern I do like how PDF patterns give you instant gratification and no shipping costs. The Named PDF patterns are laid out differently from other PDF patterns I have used before, because the pattern pieces overlap like they do in magazine patterns.

This sounds like extra work, because not only do you need to print and tape together the patterns, but then you also have to trace them. However, I found that it was actually better because it meant only printing and taping together 12 sheets. This is done in no time and saves on printer ink and paper. When you are all done you simply trace the pattern and that's it. As I trace all of my patterns anyways, and never cut a pattern, this step is no problem for me. 

THE SMALLER SEAM ALLOWANCES -  I do think that commercial patterns often use massive seam allowances, where smaller seam allowances would be more efficient, easier to sew and save on fabric. Named patterns (or at least the one I used) have a 1cm (or 3/8 inch) seam allowance, which I think is sufficient and easier to work with in most cases. And! As an extra bonus the seam lines and cutting lines are shown on the pattern, which means you can easily choose where to cut or how much extra seam allowance to add if you need any.


WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

THE INSTRUCTIONS - I'm really sorry to say but the instructions are absolutely terrible. Seriously. The instructions include no illustrations or images at all, which makes the patterns very difficult to use for beginners or visual learners/sewers (aren't we all?!).

I rarely stick to the instructions when I use commercial patterns, but I do like to have a glance at them to see if any unusual construction methods are suggested or new techniques included. The Named instructions cannot be skimmed or glanced at but have to be studied to be understood. No fun!

What makes it even worse is that the instructions are awkwardly phrased and terms are used that are not common in English sewing instructions. In short, the instructions need some serious editing work.

NO FINAL GARMENT MEASUREMENTS -  Nowhere in the pattern are final garment measurements indicated. This means I have to measure each pattern for fit myself or guess how much ease the pattern was designed with from the photo alone. Waist and bust point was also not indicated on the pattern, which makes the pattern a struggle to fit.

THE PRICE - Considering that the instructions are really poor and hardly better than magazine instructions and that a lot of vital information, like fabric usage and layout for different sizes and final garment measurements were missing (which, to me at least, are key to a high quality indie pattern), I think the pattern was too expensive. But maybe that's just me.


CONCLUSION:

Many independent pattern companies have become synonymous with contemporary style and outstanding instructions. No more old-fashioned Big-4 pattern envelope styling and terrible instructions a la Burda magazine. Independent pattern companies want to appeal to the new generation of sewers. While I find that Named is doing its part on the young and modern styling, I think they lack in execution with their instructions.

All I can say is: Please, please, girls at Named, edit and illustrate your instructions!

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JOIN IN!

What is your opinion? How did you like working with Named patterns? If you write or have written a review of working with one or more of their patterns on your blog it would be great if you could link your review to this site by adding a link below.

Simply click on the "Add your ink" button, enter the URL of your blog post, the name of your blog and titlw of blog post (in the NAME field), and an e-mail address. The e-mail address will not be visible to others.


You can link up your reviews until the end of October!

See you later this week with a new pattern company for next month's testing.