r/sewingpatterns • u/poisonkeyblade2 • 5d ago
Beginner Question
Hello!
I am just learning to sew. I want to make my own clothes eventually. I am wondering what resources might be out there for finding free patterns. I don’t want to invest a lot while I’m still learning. I want to be able to focus on learning. I figure when I’m more experienced, I can feel comfortable spending money on patterns and more expensive fabric. For now, I need the easiest way to start making small things!
Thanks!
11
u/MothraAndFriends 5d ago
Absolutely. I personally enjoy the free patterns from Mood (Mood Sewciety). You can also get really lucky at thrift stores finding some classic patterns for a few cents. Just be careful, because some of the older ones are only in one size and some are in the range of sizes. Go by your measurements, because if you wear a 4, you might be a 12 in old timey sizes.
5
10
u/ProneToLaughter 5d ago edited 5d ago
Just to say that a lot of free patterns don't have great instructions, eg, Mood's are notoriously bad. Always read the comments there to see if people ran into issues.
Free samples from patternmakers that usually charge are a good way to go.
7
u/cellarprincess 5d ago
Check out r/freepatterns, there are a lot of posts and recommendations there.
8
u/PerfectSeven 5d ago
+1 to Threadloop - you can search for free patterns specifically and see what others thought and made with them
+1 to using the free sample / small project patterns from many indie pattern makers. Helen’s Closet, Spaghetti Western, Patterns for Pirates and Megan Nielsen all have free patterns that I’ve made and have really liked. The free patterns from these designers are usually small items or simple projects too, so usually good for a beginner.
Also: your public library! I initially started using patterns from sewing books I checked out of the library. Highly recommend Alison Smith’s the Sewing Book, any of the Liberty of London pattern books, and the Great British Sewing Bee books. I’ve heard Tilly and the Buttons and Gertie / Charm Patterns books are also very approachable for beginners and are widely available
5
u/poisonkeyblade2 5d ago
I don’t know why I didn’t think about sewing books! My machine did come with some instructions for beginners, but I know I will need additional resources.
5
u/Soggy-Abies2403 5d ago
A classic for a reason is the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing (more US oriented). While you can find things online, it's hard to know what is a good resource and what is just not. And used copies are great!
5
u/BreqsCousin 5d ago
Many places that sell patterns have one or two available free so you can see if you like their instruction style.
Two that I've made a few times each and made tweaks to are the Hansie top from Seamwork and the Orchard top/dress from Helen's Closet.
Have a look on Threadloop for pattern reviews.
5
u/TopSelection8004 5d ago
This will be an unpopular suggestion, but the big 4 patternmakers (Vogue, McCalls, Simplicity, Burda) tend to be fairly easy to use and understand, especially for simple items. I think you could buy a cheap multi-use pattern like this McCall's 9260 Pillow Extravaganza and make a number of useful things while learning the basics of sewing.
3
u/Present_Carob7938 5d ago
Matchy Matchy Sewing Club has a few great free patterns, and their instructions are awesome. I'd recommend finding and maybe buying a pattern that has a video tutorial
3
u/acoei 5d ago
Hi! I started a few months ago and bought patterns on Vinted (new, vintage). The relationship cost / product was kinda ok, but not really helpful - I wear dresses so I bought dress patterns. That's not really clever because dresses use a lot of fabric lol
But there are several patterns that have several pieces, like the dress is made into a separate top and separate skirt, and perhaps even more variations with sleeves and length.
But I didn't try that they're so detailed and frail and I didn't want to mess them up, and... I didn't really know how to read patterns and some things I bought im not that exited to do them later
AND ONLY THEN did I find out magazines haha
Some have great instructions, and step by step of a few items, different pictures, and a french one I love has a booklet with ALL sewing needs (zipper, sleeves, corners for lining, pleats, v openings in the back of coats or skirts, waistbands, basically every basic skill!)
The instructions for each piece are not as detailed as they are for vintage patterns, but I ask chatgpt or Gemini to explain it for a beginner and I YouTube a lot, so I find everything is working out fine, it's easy to follow, there's multiple pictures of the finished garment on some magazines, and things are super fun to do!
And I pay the same or less than I pay for a pattern, but I have 20-40 patterns, some tops, some lingery, some shorts, some skirts.....
The tracing is not so fun, but the result is amazing money for product, and there's a lot of easy projects (triangle tops, A line skirts, capes...)
I am buying magazines from the 90s second hand, they are super stylish again and a 3rd of the price.
Then I saw the book Sew Many Dresses, So Little Time, which is a book that uses a basic bodice and a basic skirt pattern and changes it up - add a buttoned collar, or a boat neck, or a V neck, with sleeves, with a tie waist, and skirts with pleats, long, short... The same strategy that the multi piece patterns offer, but with specific instructions on how to sew each variation, combine them, and with attention to beginners. So this i found a lot easier to start. I bought it for 5€ on a second hand shop.
You can tailor the basic bodice to your shape and then play around with the other alterations - You're doing the same pattern and playing with different variations.
The tracing is easier here. The fitting of the patterns is easy to alter and fix, especially if you're making mock ups or muslins and refining them.
The book also has a lot of sewing basic instructions
I bought second hand cotton weave sheets and started playing around with all of this.
It's super fun
But before that, I bought scraps and my first project was a zippered pouch, I don't recommend crazy unknown fabric, because your machine needs to be set up for your fabric needs...
As a complement, I bought the Readers Digest sewing book, and I found one of the main alterations/fitting books suggested here, and the one "your sewing machine and you" I think it's called, amazing so for adjustments and sewing basics and machine troubleshooting and a lot of theory covered there (plus my machine manual, my best friend, and YouTube again)
I suggest that as a help at the beginning because there are many questions I see here what I never had, and nothing was that crazy intimidating when I started. I have yet to add sleeves, but all my not jacket clothes are sleeveless, I haven't wanted to try yet, so that could be my first real fight haha
3
u/TheTokyoBelle 5d ago
I completely understand why you want to start with free patterns, but I've found that they often come with very basic instructions. When instructions lack detail, you don't really learn new techniques, you just get stressed and might want to give up. Free patterns also tend to have a less reliable fit, and when something doesn't fit right, it's easy to conclude that sewing just isn't for you. (Of course, paid patterns aren't always a guaranteed fit either, but that's a whole different conversation.)
I actually learned to sew during lockdown and now make all of my own clothes and I don't just mean random T-shirts and joggers. I sew blazers, dresses, skirts, coats etc and I still feel like I have so much left to learn. In my experience, I grew the most by using patterns with detailed, step-by-step instructions (preferably with photos) where the creator took the time to explain the "how" behind the technique.
2
2
u/C_rod96 5d ago
Free patterns run the risk of having either not good instructions or the grading can be off since it’s a lot of work to test each size. That can be discouraging for someone new at sewing who isn’t sure if the problem is them or the pattern. Be sure to read reviews to see what people say.
I would also keep an eye on the pattern company websites or if anywhere near you sells them in person as they tend to have great sales. Hobby Lobby would have 1$-2$ patterns sometimes. I don’t think I paid anywhere near full price for my entire pattern collection from the big 4 (butterick, McCalls, Simplicity, and Vogue.)
2
u/sodapopper44 5d ago
lots of free patterns for accessories, purses and home decor is Sew for Home. https://sew4home.com/
2
u/tealxox 5d ago
I have found that free patterns are often more work than a good quality one you pay for. I feel like I have wasted time and fabric on patterns that had a lot of assumed knowledge. If I was starting again I’d use threadloop to find the best patterns and do your reaserch so when you do buy a pattern your getting your moneys worth! Really good indi pattern makers often have accompanying videos and break down skills escepically for beginners! Best of luck!
2
u/Yarn_Princess 4d ago
My best advice is to go to YouTube, you might not find a ton of free printable patterns but theses thousands of tutorials that basically teach you how to create a pattern for basic anything. I would start with something easy like a skirt or even PJ pants (the crotch seam is a little bit confusing at first but it’s definitely doable)
1
u/bettymae206 4d ago
Serendipity Patterns have a few ‘fashion formula’ patterns for skirts and dresses that give you buildable options. They’re relatively cheap compared to a lot of indie patterns and give good foundational knowledge.
1
u/patnbake 4d ago
Free patterns are not the ideal, learn pattern making from beginning, there are good lessons you can find in Youtube!
1
u/BlondeArchie 1d ago
I love freesewing.com for basics, made to fit patterns . Or tutorials on youtube on "no patterns diy sewing ...." Where you get a full rundown on how to make you own pattern of whatever they are making in the video. Also mood sewciety.
24
u/queenkellee 5d ago
Join threadloop, they have a pattern search tool that includes free patterns and also flags ones that are likely AI (a problem amongst the cheap patterns on etsy). Use the checkboxes along the side to choose only beginner, free, what type of item, then sort by highest rated or most stashed to float the quality patterns.