How Does A Pattern Notcher Work?

If you’ve been sewing a while, you’re well aware of what a notch is… right? Only you may be used to seeing the kind of notch that extends beyond the edge of the pattern instead of pointing inwards.

As a creative pattern cutter and fashion designer, I’ve been creating my own patterns for a long time. Every pattern I create uses notches, as they are an essential way to add instructions – we all know that notches should ‘match up’ right.

To create these notches I use a pattern notcher! And in this article I’m going to explain how a pattern notcher works and share with you the one I have had for about 15 years, which is still going strong.

What Is A Pattern Notcher?

A pattern notcher is a tool used to mark uniformly sized and shaped notches in sewing patterns and the purpose of these notches is to act as instructions or guides for the person sewing the pattern.

How Does A Pattern Notcher Work?

By squeezing the pattern notcher together like a pair of scissors, the notcher blades will cut into the paper leaving a notch missing.

A pattern notcher works like a pair of scissors – it has that same pivot action and metal blades which ‘cut’ into the paper or card that you’re notching.

The blade is different though with a specific shape so that each notch that is cut us the same shape and width. Only the length can be changed and this depends on how far in you insert the piece of paper.

Also, there is usually a spring to limit the action when you close the notchers. It provides a bit of tension and limits how far you can far the notchers can be closed.

When squeezed closed the two ‘blades’ of your pattern notches pass over the paper or card removing whatever is in the way.

Where Is A Pattern Notcher Used On Patterns?

A pattern notcher is used to mark the edges of pattern pieces

A pattern notcher is used on the edge of patterns, unlike the pattern drill I recently wrote about which is used further in.

I use my pattern notcher to mark different things:

Key lines – bust, waist, hip etc
Center front and center back
Dart legs
Pleat locations
Eased sections
Connecting pattern pieces

And many more. In fact after the pattern master and tracing wheel, the pattern notcher is probably my most used pattern making tool.

What Is The Best Pattern Notcher?

My pattern notchers are from Morplan and have lasted for many years

The one I have. I bought mine from Morplan many years ago. It is still in great condition and has been notching paper and card for me for well over a decade now.

If you’re not able to get the same one – they do ship internationally – then the next next pattern notcher is this one.

You’ll want to keep your pattern notcher away from materials that are not paper or card, to prolong its life. When I first got mine, I thought it was supposed to be used to notch fabrics and leather but then someone at fashion school corrected me, and thank goodness, otherwise it might not still be as sharp and useful as it is.

There you have it. I hope you found this helpful if you’re considering buying yourself a pattern notcher. I did consider mine to be expensive at the time from Morplan, but they’ve also stood the test of time so have been a worthwhile investment.

If you enjoyed this and want to learn more about the tools used in pattern making check out my others – the best French curve rulers, how a tracing wheel works and what is a pattern drill.