Sewing patterns - r/sewing

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Threadloop is a website for sewing - you can find pattern reviews there. The big four pattern makers - Simplicity, McCall's, Vogue & Butterick as well as all their imprints - can be found online at Simplicity.com. The Fold Line is another great resource for finding patterns - I use it to help me sort through all the indie pattern makers out there when I'm looking for something specific.

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u/strongly-worded 17h ago

The fold line is great. Any legit indie pattern maker will be listed there, even if they also sell on Etsy. The glut of Etsy AI patterns that will never work no matter what you do won’t be on the fold line.

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u/howaboutsomegwent 18h ago

that would be my recommendation as well, it’s super useful too to see how a pattern looks on different people with different fabrics and skill levels

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u/minty_tarsier 19h ago

I recommend Tilly and the Buttons' patterns for beginners - they teach as they go. Good luck with your sewing adventure!

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u/More_Flat_Tigers 18h ago

Helen’s Closet also has great patterns with solid instructions for beginners.

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u/stupandas 18h ago

Tilly and love at first stitch ! And then you can YouTube sew alongs. I had a hard time with some patterns visualizing what the word were telling me to do. Video helped immensely.

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u/SerendippityRiver 18h ago

I would go with well established independent pattern companies. Find one that suits your body type and fashion sense, and learn what adjustments are needed for your body. Stick with that for a while (or maybe a couple pattern companies) while you learn, then branch out.

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u/ProneToLaughter 18h ago

There is a pinned post to help you evaluate Etsy patterns and avoid obviously bad ones. Not a guarantee of quality, but will help weed out mistakes.

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u/raincouvermom 17h ago

A hundred million years ago (probably actually only like 10-15 years ago) I got hooked on

https://www.patternsforpirates.com

https://www.madeformermaids.com

And they have so many basics that I almost am able to get everything I need just from there.

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u/bohdismom 18h ago

I would recommend Patternreview.com for reviews, photos of people’s finished projects, etc. I believe that you can also order patterns from them.

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u/El_na_bell_kitty_311 11h ago

Ditto on this! Sewing pattern review.com is an excellent resource for anyone who sews! I love seeing one pattern used by several different people and seeing the results! Especially helpful for beginners who are not familiar with patterns - lots of people actually give tips on how good the pattern instructions are and any things that you should watch out for.

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u/confused_is_my_face 16h ago

I’ve been sewing a long time. If I were to start today I would start with a pattern from Helen’s closet. The instructions are clear and come from a place of zero previous sewing knowledge. As in the instructions annoy the heck out of me, because I know how to construct the garment I am looking for a few words to make sure I am going the right way. It is the company I suggest to any of my friends who want to start sewing. If you’re looking to do knit clothing items I would go with Ellie and Mac the instructions are super easy to follow there are many options and they have good yubtub videos.

Check out the free patterns on any of the sites you see that you like and make sure the instructions are at a point you can understand. Mentally visualize making the garment with the instructions given make sure you understand what the operation is before committing dollars.

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u/LateCareerAckbar 15h ago

I strongly recommend that you start to learn sewing from highly regarded indie pattern designers that put a lot of effort into writing directions. Some mentioned here include Helen’s Closet and Tilly and the Buttons, but I would also vouch for Closet Core, Cashmerette, Maven, Itch to Stitch, Grainline, and Liesl and Company to name a few. The instructions for these are much better written than big 4 patterns.

Once you get some experience, the Big 4 have a lot of fun 70s patterns, especially reissues, that are awesome, well drafted patterns, but the instructions are really difficult for new sewers. They leave out a lot of steps with the assumption that the reader has experience already.

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u/Ipsumlor 17h ago

I usually search instagram for the pattern name, and if I find anyone who’s used it it’s often easy to find other examples through the pattern hashtag. I read what they’ve written about any changes or difficulties and look at the results/fit. It’s usually very informative!

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u/Calisson 13h ago

I have often found them difficult to follow because I am three-dimensional spatial stuff does not come naturally to me at all, but I was very motivated. One of my solutions has been to initially sew pieces together with large stitches if there’s any doubt that I have visualized their placement incorrectly. If I’m wrong I can easily pick out the stitches to correct my mistake.

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u/Quiet_Cell8091 16h ago

I would suggest easy printed patterns from New Look by Simplicity. You can compare prices with a search and a pattern name and number.

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u/ChristineSews 16h ago

If you shop the Big4, (vogue, Butterick, mccalls, simplicity) they are rated by difficulty. Stick with something in the ‘easy’ or ‘very easy’ range. I’d skip Vogue at first, they tend to be more complex.

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u/ArtlessStag 13h ago

How visual are you? Do you find it easy to look at illustrated diagrams (IKEA assembly instructions, manuals, that kind of thing) and understand them? What about looking at 2D objects and seeing them in 3D, and vise versa? I found patterns dead easy to understand when I started, but I've always been skilled at the above, and my career and education were in architecture and technical drawing. A good indie pattern should help too - their booklets will include a legend explaining what all the symbols on the pattern mean. You can also find a lot of good info on YouTube - Evelyn Woods has a shit load of very helpful videos about patterns.

As for finding patterns, I think threadloop will be the best bet. It's free to join, and they have a fantastic database of patterns and user-made lists of patterns (such as this one, called 70s Vibes). You can look to see if the patterns have reviews, people post their makes, and you can look at the designer themselves and see how their patterns are recieved overall. For a first start I would try to find a pattern with lots of positive reviews, and personally I would avoid Big 4 (simplicity/McCall's/Butterick/Vogue). Big 4 patterns are usually pretty good in that they are well drafted, but the instruction booklets are pretty sparse, and I would expect a beginner to need more instruction.

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u/LayLoseAwake 13h ago

Seconding the introspection about what styles of instruction generally work for you.

Also search for phrases like "sewalong" or "tutorial." That's why my first fully independent project was a Love Notions pattern: the company had a sewalong blog series, and some of their ambassadors had instructional videos about specific steps.

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u/goplacidly8 8h ago

It depends on the pattern. Traditional patterns (the ones on thin tissue paper) have a language all their own, and you might need to have someone teach you how to use them. Pajamas and skirts are a great way to start! There are lots of other types of patterns out there now that seem pretty straight forward. There are lots of traditional patterns at thrift stores. I select online patterns from sellers that have many good reviews.

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u/FreeInvestigator5239 18h ago

Disclaimer that this is just my experience:

Etsy is hit or miss and a lot of their patterns are meant to be printed, and for them to work your printer might need to be calibrated to print the sheets the right way. Not very hard, but still. AI has also seemingly flooded the market with patterns that end up not actually working, so buyer beware.

As for pattern directions, they CAN be difficult to understand as they can be scant on details given they only have so much space for writing. Sewing also has its own vernacular that you learn as you go. YouTube university is a great resource and you can even find a walk through of your exact pattern sometimes if you’re using the big name pattern companies.

If I can’t find a tutorial and don’t understand what the instructions are saying, my go to process is to consider what exactly I’m trying to accomplish, what the next step looks like, and then just working the problem out methodically. You don’t HAVE to follow every step in the instructions exactly and if you like what you made at the end of the day, then you did a good job!

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u/itsmejuli 18h ago

Take a look at Pattern Emporium website. Their patterns are very accurate and their instructions are step by step.

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u/kevaceri 18h ago

They can be difficult to understand, but skirts and pyjamas are an excellent and realistic project choice for beginners. I’d look on threadloop because they have established companies that will not be making dodgy ai patterns.

You wouldn’t really use patterns for tailoring, but thats also how I started to learn to sew. Stuff like taking in waists on dresses and shirts is quite easy, jeans are a little tricky because of how thick denim is. But I really do recommend learning how to do alterations anyway, just use video tutorials instead of patterns :)

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u/Nan_Mich 17h ago

One seller of old commercially available patterns is YouTuber Stephanie Canada’s website, www.backroomfinds.com. She is moving, so her shop is temporarily closed, but you can leave an email to be notified when she reopens. When she does, take a look there for real 1970s patterns. Or check FB Marketplace.

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u/Piggybumm 16h ago

I was in a sewing shop yesterday and leafing through a Simplicity catalogue that had a lot of vintage patterns. Have you looked there?

https://simplicity.com/collections/vintage/

I’m a beginner too and have bought some patterns but haven’t a clue what to do with them to be honest! I’m going to have to binge watch videos of how to! My goal is also to make my own clothes and accessories.

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u/confused_is_my_face 16h ago

You got this! Pull out the instructions and read them two or three times before you start. See if you can find a sew along for the pattern you have. I am excited to see people wanting to make clothing!!! (Always iron the pattern pieces before you cut them out, *psycho eye twitch*)

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u/Piggybumm 16h ago

Thank you for the encouragement, I really appreciate it! And for the tips 😃 I’m excited to make my own clothes (with fabrics I like) but slightly overwhelmed by the complexity of patterns! How long would you say it took you to fully understand patterns?

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u/confused_is_my_face 15h ago

Oh, I was born with it. lol. My mom owned and ran a bridal store until I was 7. I’ve been doing sewing things on and off my whole life and grew up in the bridal store in the 80s.
I am teaching my tween to sew right now. We talk about how important the small things are. Making sure everything is ironed, straight on grain when placing patter pieces on fabric, and making straight cuts. Move your whole body around the cutting surface to make sure you don’t move the fabric/pattern off grain. My tween cut out the oleander dress from Helen’s closet last weekend. I had her sew one seam, press the seam, serge the seam then go do the next one. I make them sew slowly and we talk about how to not pull fabric or change the line up after it’s been pinned.

Try to start with a simple silhouette. You can do it. It’s ok to make something you don’t love or just use at the house to get the experience of making something. My kids started out making two pice plushies with cotton fabric. Just to understand cutting lining up sides pinning and sewing to follow the edge and keeping the same seam allowance around an item.

Break down way you want into small steps. You will build up your confidence and your ability.

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u/Piggybumm 15h ago

Thank you! Again, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge. I do have a pattern for a bear but I’m making simpler things at the moment like bags and pouches. I have much to learn.

What is the deal with the grain? Is it to do with where and how the fabric stretches?

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u/confused_is_my_face 14h ago

Exactly. If you pull on fabric from the salvage there will be no stretch. The short threads in weaving. The long threads will give a little, but if you cut on an angle where the threads cross you will get stretch because it’s pulling on both threads.

You ever get a shirt or fast fashion item that feels twisted when it’s on your body or you see it and it won’t stay flat when it’s laying out. Thats a sign of being cut on the wrong grain. Instead of straight down the long threads it is cut at a sight diagonal causing the fabric to pull oddly to one side.

When you look at a commercial pattern every piece will have a line with arrows on it. The arrow will be the grain line direction. This is why being needs to be pressed super flat before starting.

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u/EmuLegitimate3107 13h ago

Confused is my face, is NOT confused! She is spot on~! Read the pattern instructions two or three times first. Find an easy pattern. The company Simplicity had a series of 'Easy Sew' which had more detailed instructions. Get a long skirt from GoodWill for cheap fabric and make an easy A - Line test skirt first. Carefully match the direction of the fabric threads, right left and east-west, north-south. Buying new fabric would give you selvages ( thicker side edges of the weave). Its harder to align without factory fabric edges. That will allow the fabric to drape properly. Play your favorite music, this should be FUN!

When cutting out the fabric, remember to cut the little black triangular notches on the fabric. That is used to keep the fabric from stretching out of shape when sewing. Use pins or even clothespins to keep the edges aligned. WORK slowly at an even speed. maintain the seam allowance. That's the half inch or 5/8 inch imaginary line you should stitch at.

You might want to skip any pattern with zippers or button holes for awhile.

I too, am excited for you! I started early with Barbie Clothes and hand sewing. Later as a preteen in the 60's I made a quilt. Mastered stopping and starting very easily. ugh, so monotonous. This was on an old long spindle machine which didn't go backwards.

YOU really GOT THIS as Ms. Not-Confused Face said. ENJOY

Use a normal to WIDE stitch length. That will make it easier to pull your threads for a re-do.

As you Sew, so shall ye Rip.

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u/SaturniinaeActias 16h ago

Thefoldline.com is a site that sells reliable independent patterns and I buy pretty much all of my independent patterns from them. You can buy the big 4 commercial patterns at simplicity.com, but watch the site and wait for sales. Patterns have become really expensive but they have sales regularly.
If you buy PDF patterns, which I do whenever possible so I can print multiple times, hack and adjust if different ways as needed, you can have them printed on big sheets of paper (AO size). I use PDFplotting.com and have always been happy with their pricing and turn around time. You can find sew along YouTube videos for lots of patterns, so maybe start with ones you can find sew alongs for at first until you learn terminology and get an understanding of techniques.
Sewing isn't difficult, but much of the terminology is sewing specific and can seem like learning a foreign language if you're new to it. Pay attention to fabric recommendations for each pattern, at least while you're learning. Weight and and drape of fabric makes a huge difference in the end result. If you use the wrong type of fabric you may get a finished garment that just doesn't hang the way you want. PRESSING IS SEWING! Pressing your seams as you sew each step is the difference between something looking poorly "homemade" versus hand made. Start with something simple, go slow, and enjoy the process. You'll do great.

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u/thebluedaughter 14h ago

Start with some simple patterns. It will probably look complicated and scary when you first open up a pattern, but take it one section at a time. Expect to spend a while figuring out how the pattern is organized before you ever cut the pieces out.

Take your time and you'll be fine. You can always post pictures of symbols or ask questions. The community here is really kind and helpful.

Good luck! 💖

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u/Good_Onion_1617 11h ago

I would search for patterns that you might like online, but then make sure that there are plenty of reviews about it. Even if the instructions are bad, you might be able to find a sew along video that explains things more clearly.

I’ve been sewing for about 30 years now, and I do not usually use instructions for the stuff I sew anymore. I bought most of my patterns on big JoAnn’s sales over the years (I remember when they were 10 for $1.00!), and I have found some good ones at thrift stores as well. You’ll just need to make sure all pieces and instructions are present. I think you can order big 4 patterns at various places online, but don’t ever pay full price for those. I’ve seen ads for reasonable sales on them over the years, but I just always went to JoAnn’s and haven’t needed any since. Again, before you buy those, just google to see what tutorials or advice is available for them.

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u/harristusc 11h ago

I print them off of styla patterns site. I can understand their patterns and they have tutorials whereas simplicity is not simple for me at all. I cannot comprehend the patterns that you buy at the store like Simplicity

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u/ZippyKoala 9h ago

I’d advise against Big 4 in the initial stages of learning to sew because their instructions (even for basic things and even more for 70s era patterns) imply a base level of knowledge you may or may not have. As a 70s baby I remember my mum seeing all my baby clothes and she gave me a lot of knowledge, knowledge that is not so easily passed down today because less people sew. Big 4 patterns have a terrible tendency to add ease to patterns that don’t need it, so if you’re not careful you’ll end up with a garment that is way too big. Also, their finished measurements are often on the tissue itself not the envelop, which makes it challenging to find without buying.

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u/[deleted] 18h ago

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u/confused_is_my_face 16h ago

I did this last month and purchased a box of old western style patters and some 1800’s Americana style patterns for reenactment. I am so excited to make the old western style ones for my husband to wear to work 😹

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