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Simple pattern matching
Whether it's curtains, sofa cushion covers or a long bench seat where your fabric isn't quite large enough, here is a quick and simple way to pattern match and join several large pieces of fabric together, and hide obvious seams.
Pattern matching is really important if you're making a large project, like a pair of curtains, where you need to join two pieces of fabric together to make one larger piece, and you have a bold floral or checked pattern, or horizontal stripes. The reason being, if you have a mismatched pattern in these fabrics, it's going to stand out a mile!
I've got two pieces of fabric that I've been making curtains with, and I'm going to show you an easy way to match the pattern.
Do be aware that you may have to buy quite a lot of extra, and the amount will depend on the repeat of your pattern, to get that accurate pattern match. When you've chosen your fabric, do have a look at the measurements that are recommended and then take at how much extra you're going to need for pattern matching.
To work this out, start by looking for the most dominant or largest motif on the pattern. In my fabric, it's the mauve orchid. So, if I'm going to join fabrics together, I would make sure I'd have extra fabric that measures at least two or three times the distance between the largest motifs – the distance between the orchid repeat, in my case – to achieve the pattern match.
With smaller prints or busier prints, you don't need to worry about pattern matching as much as their more 'complex' appearance tricks the eye.
1. To start, place one of the fabric pieces over the other and line up the patterns. Depending on where your repeat is, your second piece will be relatively staggered. This is an early indication of the extent of fabric wastage.
2. Once you're happy with the placement, fold over the overlapping edge of the top, staggered piece by 1in (2.5cm). Press the fold. Carefully match up the pattern again.
3. With a fabric glue pen, glue the fold over the top of the bottom piece, to secure the matched fabrics together temporarily. The glue in fabric glue pens doesn't clog up machines, and as they take a few minutes to dry you can move around your fabric a little if you still need to. If you don't have a fabric glue pen, take a fabric pen or pencil and draw along the folded edge of the top fabric, onto the bottom fabric, then crease along the drawn line.
4. Turn over the top fabric so its wrong side is facing up. Sew along the folded edge, through both layers of fabric.
5. Once sewn, fold back the top fabric so it's right side is facing up and press. Double-check the pattern is still matching.
6. Flip the top fabric over again, then trim away the excess fabric, back to the seam allowance – this will vary from ¼in (5mm) to ½in (1.25cm) for home furnishings. Finished!
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