How to cut out a sewing pattern

Lay the fabric flat on grain, place pieces as the cutting layout shows, check every grainline with a ruler, pin or weight them down, and cut with long smooth strokes.

Beginner45 minutes

ResearchedSewSift editorialChecked Nov 1, 2026

Pinny's tip
Pattern weights (tins of beans work) are faster than pins and don't shift the fabric.

What you'll need

Fabric shears: kept for fabric only.
Pins or pattern weights: to hold pieces.
Ruler or tape: to check grainlines.
Chalk or tracing wheel: to transfer markings.

Step by step

Press the fabric and fold it as the layout shows, selvedges together.
Place the pieces following the layout, fold edges on the fold.
Measure from each end of the grainline arrow to the selvedge; both must match.
Pin or weight down.
Cut with long strokes, keeping the lower blade on the table.
Snip notches outwards (or mark them) and transfer dots before you remove the pattern.

Watch

How to Cut Out Sewing Pattern Pieces - Updated (11:31)
By Professor Pincushion · Open on YouTube

The video this technique page has always pointed to, an 11-minute one from Professor Pincushion. Embedded from YouTube with credit; we don't host it. It only loads when you press play.

Common mistakes

Lifting the fabric as you cut. It shifts; keep it flat.
Skipping the grainline check. Pieces twist.
Paper-cutting scissors on fabric. Use sharp shears.

Watch it done

How to Cut Out Sewing Pattern Pieces - Updated by Professor Pincushion on YouTube. Opens on YouTube; the video belongs to its creator.
Tips for Cutting Fabric Accurately ✂️ by Tilly and the Buttons on YouTube. Opens on YouTube; the video belongs to its creator.
Cutting Out sewing pattern on fabric by Let’s Learn To Sew on YouTube. Opens on YouTube; the video belongs to its creator.

Sources

All checked November 1, 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.