Hello all,
I’m new here. I’ve sewn since I was very young, but haven’t sewn many clothes for myself in probably 20 or more years. I want to get back into it, primarily to improve fit over RTW, but I’m looking for some interesting patterns, beyond the standard commercial patterns. I’ve never drafted a pattern myself, and while I might consider starting, I’d like some fun, unusual – maybe even “edgy” patterns to get me back into the swing. I have looked at a few vintage sites.
Do you have any favorite pattern sources besides the big companies I’ve probably already heard of?
Thanks a lot, and wish me luck!!
Replies
Try Burda World of Fashion magazine. Their patterns are different and have a European look to them. They are very well drafted. A word of warning - their instructions can be challenging - sometimes the translation from German to English results in strange terms and there are no illustrations.
Edited 3/12/2008 5:07 pm ET by MargieT
If you will go to www. sewingpatterns.com you will find a number of different designers as well as the well known commercial ones.
Hiya,
I have two suggestions, first, go to Voguepatterns.com and check out their offerings - nice designer stuff. At the bottom of the screen you'll see a link to Hotpatterns.com. They're a recent entry into the pattern market. Their sizing is a bit iffy, but they're stylish and interesting. You can go to Patternreview.com and read reviews of their patterns (and everybody else's too). Patternreviews wide reviews may start you off on the course you're after.
And then I second the motion to check out Burda. The patterns in the magazine are very stylish. You can find the magazine at most large bookstores and at independent newsstands.
Happy sewing!
:) Mary
http://www.fitzpatterns.com/
burdastyle.com
Try these two sites to see what patterns are out there. I do not recommend these sites in particular as I have never ordered from them, but I keep these on my favorites site to check out occasionally. I am familiar with Vogue Fabrics in Evanston, IL because my daughter lives nearby and I have to visit them everytime I go see her! Almost every on-line fabric store has patterns in their reperatoire too, but I think these lists are pretty all inclusive. I am a "pattern collector" but most are still in pristine condition because I'll go back to a tried and true pattern. I think they are probably my own personal IDEA FILE. I have fitting issues these days and can only recommend Coni and Petite Plus. I almost always used McCall's and Vogue before and liked the instruction sheets and tissue info. as well as the quality of how well the pattern seemed to go together. It seems I have heard differing opinions on that quality in today's market. I like the sites that show real people in the clothes they have made from the patterns and that includes: http://www.saf-t-pockets.com/, http://www.purrfection.com/ and http://www.timmelfabrics.com/ (she has lots of Loes Hinse designs made by clients) there are more... once you get to one it seems to lead you to lots more.
Patterns:
http://www.thesewingplace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=173
http://www.voguefabricsstore.com/store/catalog/Sewing-Patterns-orderby0-p-1-c-4.html
Thanks for all the suggestions. Some I am familiar with, some not, so now I have investigation to do!
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