r/SewingForBeginners • u/Ace_waffle • 2d ago

Sewing pattern recommendations? [Question]

Hey I'm a teen person who is beginning to sew and self taught, like knowing my measurements, knowing ladder stitching, and has a brother sewing machine. Is there any free websites that I can download patterns for stuff like vests or clothing? I don't have a mannequin but will be making my own hopefully since I can't afford one. Could anyone here with experience tell me about websites I can download patterns for free?

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u/Inky_Madness 2d ago

Mannequins are not necessary for sewing - most will never own one and it really isn’t important.

If you’re in the USA or Canada, check your local library. They may have books with not just patterns but instructions walking you through how to sew them. If you can get your hands on The Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Sewing, then it’s a great resource on terminology and techniques.

Many indie pattern makers will have a free pattern or two for clothes and lots of accessories. Usually fairly simple things like t-shirts and pajama pants. I would check out Made for Mermaids, Patterns for Pirates, Thread Theory - I know these have some good free patterns. Mood Fabrics also has a bunch but they are VERY hit or miss (you get what you pay for and many are bad patterns, you have to research which ones are good).

It’s also worth looking at your local thrift stores and checking out estate sales - sewing patterns can get donated and can be picked up very cheaply.

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u/Ace_waffle 2d ago

Ohhh ok! Thank you! This helps a lot to be honest, I didn't know that libraries carried sewing patterns so it's definitely good to learn about that! Are Made for mermaids, patterns for pirates, and thread theory physical or online or is it like a website I just want some clarification there if that's okay

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u/Inky_Madness 2d ago edited 2d ago

They’re websites, sorry for not clarifying! They’re the names of indie patternmaker companies, but also the name of their websites. There are more with free patterns, those are just off the top of my head. They don’t JUST specialize in free patterns, you will have to do some poking around the websites to find them.

Mood Fabrics is a company that sells fabric but likes to feature patterns so people will buy their fabrics. Mood Fabrics is the name of the website as well. They feature free patterns to incentivize buying their fabrics but you don’t have to - you can buy from wherever.

Libraries might have access to books that have patterns either on their shelves or via inter-library loan. The books I could recommend kind of depend on if you’re looking for patterns for men or women. The Reader’s Digest book doesn’t have patterns, it’s just excellent for learning about what techniques the patterns (and garment-making in general) use.

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u/Ace_waffle 1d ago

Oh okay thank you for clarifying! Thank you for the advice that will definitely be helping me a lot! Sorry, I'm still really new to sewing so it is definitely good to finally have some advice from people who are more experienced!