Modern Sewing Resources
As I got into sewing over the past few years, I was surprised to find a healthy community of independent pattern makers out there. I first learned to sew from my Mom in high school. I sewed a shirt and a dress then didn't touch a sewing machine for over a decade! Needless to say, a lot had changed during that time. I don't recall seeing patterns from anyone other than the "Big 4" (Butterick, McCalls, Simplicity, and Vogue) at the time I first started sewing, but these days there are so many resources and independent pattern companies out there. I found this online article that gives a good rundown of the main differences between Big 4 and indie patterns, but regardless of your position on Big 4 vs. Indies, I wanted to mention a few sewing resources that have been helpful to me in my sewing journey.
I remember being intimidated trying to read through pattern instructions and not understanding terms or not being able to follow along with the diagrams. I found Colette Patterns to be very helpful as a beginner because their patterns do a great job of explaining sewing techniques and classifying their patterns by skill level. They also tend to have patterns for some retro looks, which I find fun. I found Sewaholic Patterns to provide excellent instructions as well. I haven't tried any dress or coat patterns from Colette or Sewaholic, but I'm hoping the awesome instruction quality continues for patterns for more complicated pieces, like fitted dresses or lined coats. IndieSew seems to sell every online indie pattern out there, including Megan Nielsen Designs, which I'd like to try soon. One thing to note is that many of these companies sell PDF patterns, which you need to download and print yourself. For the Aster and Granville shirts, I printed the patterns, using a regular printer, onto standard 8.5x11" pages, which I then had to piece together like a puzzle and tape before cutting. I don't want to do that ever again! You'll probably want to take the PDF to a printer who can print it onto large paper. That will save you a lot of time. If you don't want to print it yourself, just stick to buying paper patterns.
There were times in using Colette Patterns' Aster and Sewaholic Patterns' Granville shirt patterns that I wished the diagrams were better. When I hit those confusing sections, I supplemented the instructions with my own notes, videos, and photos for next time. I think that's one of the greatest things you can do for yourself -- build up your own library of instructions that make sense to you.
One of the things I also found interesting but haven't done myself is Sew-Alongs. Many of the independent pattern companies host these. Basically, it creates a sense of community by having people work on the same piece and share their progress as they go. It's like having a course with a syllabus and schedule to keep you on track. One of the aspects of sewing that I'm missing is the community element. I've considered joining a local sewing class just to be able to meet friends to sew with because at home, but perhaps a Sew-Along could meet that social purpose.
If you grew up with YouTube, you're already well aware of this: There are a TON of online videos teaching you how to do just about anything in sewing. I used online videos to learn how to sew a button stand, attach bias tape to a neckline or arm hole, and bind a quilt. It turns out there are several ways to do some of these, but it was helpful to see them demonstrated in 3D.
I've seen a few sewing magazines in book stores and online. I plan to explore this resource a little more in the future because of the interesting feature of getting new patterns this way. Through Colette Patterns, I came across Seamwork Magazine, which provides two free downloadable patterns per month. They're offering a free download of the current issue, along with a chance to win a year of Seamwork Premium. If you're interested, please use this link to be referred to the entry.
Lastly, I want to mention an interesting option that I haven't used yet but may in the future. there are many things I love about sewing, but one of the things I really dislike is cutting out patterns and cutting fabric. I don't have a big cutting surface in my tiny, hot apartment, and often I don't get started on a sewing project just because I can't bring myself to cut the fabric. Sprout Patterns, in partnership with Spoonflower, offers this cool service of printing patterns directly onto a fabric you purchase through Spoonflower. That way, all you have to do is cut the fabric and sew! I realize that you don't have a pattern after this unless you trace out the pattern and cut it separately, but if you ever have the urge to just start sewing something, this is one way. It is also expensive -- around $65 to start with the basic cotton fabric.
If you have other helpful resources or neat ideas you've heard about or tried, I'd love to hear about them!
I remember being intimidated trying to read through pattern instructions and not understanding terms or not being able to follow along with the diagrams. I found Colette Patterns to be very helpful as a beginner because their patterns do a great job of explaining sewing techniques and classifying their patterns by skill level. They also tend to have patterns for some retro looks, which I find fun. I found Sewaholic Patterns to provide excellent instructions as well. I haven't tried any dress or coat patterns from Colette or Sewaholic, but I'm hoping the awesome instruction quality continues for patterns for more complicated pieces, like fitted dresses or lined coats. IndieSew seems to sell every online indie pattern out there, including Megan Nielsen Designs, which I'd like to try soon. One thing to note is that many of these companies sell PDF patterns, which you need to download and print yourself. For the Aster and Granville shirts, I printed the patterns, using a regular printer, onto standard 8.5x11" pages, which I then had to piece together like a puzzle and tape before cutting. I don't want to do that ever again! You'll probably want to take the PDF to a printer who can print it onto large paper. That will save you a lot of time. If you don't want to print it yourself, just stick to buying paper patterns.
There were times in using Colette Patterns' Aster and Sewaholic Patterns' Granville shirt patterns that I wished the diagrams were better. When I hit those confusing sections, I supplemented the instructions with my own notes, videos, and photos for next time. I think that's one of the greatest things you can do for yourself -- build up your own library of instructions that make sense to you.
One of the things I also found interesting but haven't done myself is Sew-Alongs. Many of the independent pattern companies host these. Basically, it creates a sense of community by having people work on the same piece and share their progress as they go. It's like having a course with a syllabus and schedule to keep you on track. One of the aspects of sewing that I'm missing is the community element. I've considered joining a local sewing class just to be able to meet friends to sew with because at home, but perhaps a Sew-Along could meet that social purpose.
If you grew up with YouTube, you're already well aware of this: There are a TON of online videos teaching you how to do just about anything in sewing. I used online videos to learn how to sew a button stand, attach bias tape to a neckline or arm hole, and bind a quilt. It turns out there are several ways to do some of these, but it was helpful to see them demonstrated in 3D.
I've seen a few sewing magazines in book stores and online. I plan to explore this resource a little more in the future because of the interesting feature of getting new patterns this way. Through Colette Patterns, I came across Seamwork Magazine, which provides two free downloadable patterns per month. They're offering a free download of the current issue, along with a chance to win a year of Seamwork Premium. If you're interested, please use this link to be referred to the entry.
Lastly, I want to mention an interesting option that I haven't used yet but may in the future. there are many things I love about sewing, but one of the things I really dislike is cutting out patterns and cutting fabric. I don't have a big cutting surface in my tiny, hot apartment, and often I don't get started on a sewing project just because I can't bring myself to cut the fabric. Sprout Patterns, in partnership with Spoonflower, offers this cool service of printing patterns directly onto a fabric you purchase through Spoonflower. That way, all you have to do is cut the fabric and sew! I realize that you don't have a pattern after this unless you trace out the pattern and cut it separately, but if you ever have the urge to just start sewing something, this is one way. It is also expensive -- around $65 to start with the basic cotton fabric.
If you have other helpful resources or neat ideas you've heard about or tried, I'd love to hear about them!
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