Find Great Sewing Patterns on the Net

Most people who sew today rely on sewing patterns from famous makers like Butterick, McCall’s, Simplicity and Vogue for guidance when making clothing and accessories.  These patterns can prevent costly mistakes by illustrating clearly just how to cut and sew the material.  Most of today’s sewing patterns are made of tissue paper for easy pinning to cloth and cutting.

When looking for patterns for any sewing project, keep a few things in mind that every good sewing pattern should include:

• Clear instructions that indicate not only where to sew, but which direction for matching fabrics with a print or a nap to it.
• A chart showing how much material will be needed
• A list of materials and notions required
• Suggested fabrics

While you used to have to go to your local fabric store or craft shop to get sewing patterns, this isn’t the case anymore.  Today you can also go to superstores like Wal-Mart or Super K-Marts and pick up reasonably priced patterns in their sewing departments for as little as $2.99 in the metropolitan areas, and even less if you check their sale racks. 

For the best selections, however, the Internet is the way to go.  One of the top websites by far is www.sewingpatterns.com, where you can find over sixty different name brands of sewing patterns available, including the top sellers like Butterick and Simplicity and lesser known specialty brands like FolkWear.  

Prices start at $2.99, with the average hovering at around $8.49.  Burda sewing patterns are $9.35. Burda, a German company, has been steadily gaining popularity for their contemporary styles and easy to follow, precise instructions.  And you only have to buy two sewing patterns at SewingPatterns.com to save even more – 5% savings for two patterns, 10% if you order 3, 15% for 4 or more.

This site is also an excellent place to find some of the smaller sewing pattern companies at reasonable prices.  Kwik Sew specializes in designs you can whip up in a weekend while Sense and Sensibility sewing patterns capture the styles of the turn of the century with lots of flowing, empire-waist dresses and tea-length gowns.  They’re the height of romance for that special occasion, with patterns at about $10 for the most elaborately pin-tucked styles.

At www.thesewingplace.com you can get a great set of basic patterns for building everything else on for $17.00.  These are called “Brown Paper Patterns” and each set contains sewing patterns and instructions for a set of five variations on a theme; the skirt set includes an A-line, straight, princess, six-gore and modified A-line pattern. 

Try www.jalie.com for sewing patterns that, although a bit pricier (averaging $10.95 each) are worth the price because they include all sizes from extra small to women’s sizes in one package, so you can use them to sew for more than one person.  The patterns are also for clothing that are more modern and up-to-date than many you sometimes see – shrunken jackets, tees that teens would actually wear and slacks that will be mistaken for designer originals.

If you are OK with finding the right pattern but are looking for the best sewing machine then why not check out my Sewing Machine Specialist website where I review all the best sewing machines you can buy. I've just published a comprehensive review of the Brother 1034D Serger Sewing Machine.

It's a great machine for a great price.