Author Topic: Free sewing patterns?  (Read 171 times)

Nikko-chan

Free sewing patterns?
« on: March 16, 2020, 02:31:27 am »
Does anyone have any good places for free patterns for dresses? 1950's to 1960's vintage, if possible. Modern vintage is even fine. I've sewn a costume for a con and now I want to start sewing clothing. Any sewing essentials i need? I have needles, pins etc. I use tiny sewing scissors that i have from a travel kit but will probably get some regular scissors. Everything will be hand sewn so I don't really have to worry about a machine.

Alternately: I've caught the sewing bug. Anyone know how to make it stop?

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Aleko

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Re: Free sewing patterns?
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2020, 02:53:06 am »
Do you know that great old pattern company Folkwear? https://www.folkwear.com

I know you specified 'free', but the beauty of Folkwear's patterns is that they are made of durable paper and routinely include so many options and suggestions (and many of the original pattern themselves lend themselves so well to adaptation), that in my experience any one pattern can be used to make several very different-looking garments: so that in the long run they're very cheap.

Also, patterns in their 'Traditional' category in particular tend to be relatively easy-fitting and have few if any curved seams, so if you're new to clothesmaking and / or have nobody competent to help you with fitting and adjusting a fitted garment, although striking and unusual they're very easy to make.
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Runningstar

Re: Free sewing patterns?
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2020, 05:00:08 am »
I see a lot of older patterns in thrift stores, usually for less than .99 cents. 

As for supplies, you need pins, extra sewing machine needles, scissors (cheap is ok by me - but they need to be nice and sharp!), and chalk for marking the fabric.  A seam ripper is also a very necessary thing! 
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oogyda

Re: Free sewing patterns?
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2020, 08:25:08 am »
In your search, don't focus so much on vintage that you overlook patterns that aren't necessarily a vintage look but the structure is the same as it was in the 50's and 60's. 

There are really only a few basic patterns.  From those, it may simply be a difference in neckline, collar, sleeve, etc. that makes it different from another one.  So reduce the style you like to the actual structure of the garment and you can vintage it up to your heart's content.   
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Runningstar

Re: Free sewing patterns?
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2020, 09:33:59 am »
Forgot to add a fabric measuring tape is nice to have.  If not, use a non-stretchable ribbon to measure and a ruler to see what the measured ribbon is (be sure to measure bust/waist/hips - as pattern sizes are very different from the sizes of store made clothing you wear).  If in between a size, go up and then if needed tailor to fit afterwards/during the sewing. 

The best advice - just like in carpentry, measure twice cut once!

TootsNYC

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Re: Free sewing patterns?
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2020, 10:39:08 am »
Even a grosgrain ribbon can stretch a little--I think you should get a name-brand cloth/fiberglass tape measure.

A seam ripper, for sure.
You will want to be able to transfer pattern markings to thefabric. You can do this with tailor's tacks ( ), or you can get a tracing wheel ( ) and transfer paper (works just like carbon paper back in the typewriter days).

I don't know sources for free patterns, unfort.

But you can make your own pattern from a piece of clothing you have and like (and that fits). There are lots of YouTube videos for how.

Chez Miriam

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Re: Free sewing patterns?
« Reply #6 on: March 17, 2020, 09:37:10 am »
Drat, Nikko-chan, I wish you'd posted this 6 months ago - I threw a box of my mum's old paper patterns from the 50s to the 70s in the skip!  They weren't in nice enough condition that I felt I could give them to a charity shop, but they would have been perfectly OK for a beginner to try out. :'(

One other thing to mention: 2020s women are very different shapes and sizes [for the most part] to 1950/1960s women, so unless you're fairly hour-glass shaped, a modern pattern may work much better.

Hope you have great fun with your sewing!!
"All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well."  - Julian of Norwich
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