Episode Twelve - Free Sewing Patterns

Hello, I hope you've all been enjoying this beautiful sunshine, I know I have. I always get extra giddy when the sun comes out, and I think it shows in the volume of my tangents and chattiness, if you couldn't already tell from this latest episode.

If you're just here for the sewing patterns keep scrolling but first let me share what I've been listening to and watching. Incase it wasn't obvious I am obsessed with the Telepathy tapes at the moment, they are blowing my mind on a daily basis and I am so excited and enthralled by all this new knowlegde, at this point I think the only thing that could excite me more is being given concrete evidence that bigfoot exists. To me this is indesputable evidnece of telephathy and I just think that is incredible and I'm telling anyone who will listen to go check them out because I want you all to be as excited as me, and not only that it is such important work and gives a whole new light to people with apraxia, just please go listen because its so interesting.

I first discovered Ky Dickens on the Joe Rogan podcast, you can find this episode (#2279) wherever you get your podcasts or you can listen on youtube via this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF0CrAx_sBM

However, if you're like me and you want more then you can go on a deeper dive with the Telephathy Tapes podcast wherever you usually listen. I'm slowly working my way through and I'm loving every second.

I haven't been watching much but I have discovered a new TV programme that I'm really enjoying, it's created by the wonderful mind of Mike Judge, who has blessed us with such excellent TV as Daria, King of the Hill, Beavis and Butthead and Idiocracy to name a few.

This is an animated series so if thats not your thing then this may not be for you, but I am having a great time watching it. It's called Common Side Effects, you can find it on channel 4 and I would say it's definitely worth a watch.

So thats what I've been watching and listening to recently, not a lot I know but life is busy.

So lets now get into the patterns, because I know thats why you're here.

If you want a really comprehensive list of free sewing patterns you can't do much better than the Making and Books Free Sewing Pattern List Blog. This was last updated in 2020 so there will be a few patterns missing, but its still a great recource. One day I would love to make an updated version but that'.s not a job for today.

This month is the Sew Frugal challenge, this is an instagram challenge hosted by @Frugalisama and @TheYorkshireSewGirl where you sew something up using a free pattern and fabric from your stash in the hopes of winning some amazing prizes at the end of the month. If you want more info you can find everything you need to know on their Instagram pages, and you can join in on the vlogger tour over on YouTube, each day a talented sewist? sewer? creative? (I never know what to write here) will be sharing a video of their plans or favourite patters.

Heres the dates so you can see whos vlogging.

So in the spirit of Sew Frugal let's get talking about some free patterns.

Oh, and I should have mentioned in the episode but some of these will require you to sign up for newsletters to access the free content. Ok, thats everything, let's get into it.

First up is Unfettered Patterns. They have a huge back catalogue of free sewing patterns, and some of the designs are really nice, however I have only discovered them recently and haven't made anything of theirs so I cant comment of the quality of the drafting or instructions, but there seems to be a lot of potential.

Their patterns are available in sized xs-xl, see the chart below. I have also included some images of some of my favoutie designs, I really want to make the tie neck shirt at some point.

I have been sewing with NH Patterns for a while and have always found them to be really well drafted with clear instructions, recently Tash, the designer has made her entire back catalogue Pay What You Can, so you can either choose to get the patterns for free or make a donation. This is honestly insanely generous as these are such high quality sewing patterns.

Whilst there does seem to be a little inconsistancy between the size charts on some of the patterns heres one I found on the Sarah Skirt which seems to be used on a lot of the other patterns.

I am sure you have all heard of Mood Sewciety Patterns by now, but they have what is likely the most stacked back catalogue of free patterns available. I have made a few different ones and have had varying experiences so tread with caughtion, you will either have a great time or end up throwing your phone out of the window, it's a gamble, but if it pays off it'll be so good!

Due to the varying designs and designers their is no standard size chart for all of these patterns so I can't tell you the size range, but for the most part it appears to be fairly inclusive with ranges from 00-32 and xxs-xxl.

Whilst Peppermint Magazine have now started asking for a small contribution towards their sewing patterns so they can pay their designers and keep up with this crazy economy, they still have a bursting back catalogue of free sewing patterns, meaning the ones that you have been loving throughout the years are still availbel for free, or you can make a small donation if you would like. I have made a few of their patterns and I love them, particually the wide leg trousers and the pocket skirt. From my experience they are well drafted and the instructions are clear and filled with information.

Similar to Mood Sewciety, because each pattern is created by a different designer their is no standard size chart, however from what I can see all of their pattens are drafted to be size inclusive.

Whilst I personally havent made a pattern from The Fabric Store I have heard so many positive things from other sewists, and I think their reviews speak for themselves, I have had a few of their designs on my list for the longest time, so who knowns, maybe March will finally be the month I get around to sewing one.

I had to hunt around for a little while to find a size chart, the only infomation on the pattern page is that the sizes go from 0-30, and there was nothing in the actual blog instructions that said the sizing so I decided to download the pattern files as a last resort and low and behold I found a chart.

Ok so thats it for sites with lots of sewing patterns, now moving on to individual free patterns.

Starting with the Match Matchy Ballet Bow Skirt. I haven't made this particular pattern, but I've only had good experiences with MM patterns so I can't imagine this will be any different. It's such a cute a fun design and perfect for the summer, it also looks like it would be a really quick easy project so perfect for beginners or as a palette cleanser.

Like I did in the episode I am going to group the Tshirts together in this blog post because how much can you really talk about a tshirt. I have included the Grainline Hemlock Tee, The Closet Core Core Tee and the Friday Pattern Company Bateau Tee because I feel that these are all just different enough that whilst yes they are all basic T-shirts they each have enough something something about them to give a little variety, and we all know that variety is the spice of life so lets spice it up with these shirts. I have sewn patterns from all three companies many times and i've always had a positive experience with the quality.

Grainline Size Chart

Closet Core Size Chart

Friday Pattern Co Size Chart

I know this is a T- shirt, but I wanted to do it seperatly because there aren't that many free patterns for men, infact this is the only unisex pattern in this post. It's another great one from Friday Pattern Company, The Old Coast Raglan. It's a classic raglan tee with a relaxed fit and 3/4 length sleeves. All the samples are so fun, I particularly love the one where they've used the printed fabric with the black sleeves. This is perfect for anyone wanting to delve into sewing with knits, I'm planning to make one for Liam when I have a bit of time.

I have one more great option from Friday Pattern Company. The Sports shorts are the perfect summer shorts, I'm optomistic we're going to have a beautiful summer this year, and if we do then I will definitely be making a pair of these. They have an elastic waist and visible bias bound seams which give it such a fun contrasting effect. They just look so comfy, I can't wait to lounge around my garden in a pair. These would go perfectly styled with the Old Coast Raglan and a pair of high tops.

Seamwork have recently extended their free pattern catalogue to include some great options. Starting with my favourite, the Frankie Dress. This is such a pretty floaty dress, it has what I now know (according to Seamwork) is a waist yoke, gathered bust cups, a gathered waist and gathering at the shoulders. It has a deep V neckline and beautifully billowy sleeves finished with elastic at the cuff. There is also a free bonus option to make the skirt more a-line.

Another great option is the Lisa Cardigan, this is perfect now the weather is getting warmer but we're still needing layers. Every year around this time I always realise my wardrobe is woefully lacking cardigans, and every year I tell myself I'm going to make some, then I either get distracted or forget, so maybe this will be the year. It has a nice relaxed fit and the sleeves are gathered into deep cuffs. The fabric used in the sample is just beautiful, it has a lovely ribbed texture and just looks so so soft and snuggly.

I'm a big fan of Helens Closet patterns, so when she started releasing more free patterns I was of course very excited. She has a few on her page but I'm only going to talk about a couple here, you can find the others on the Helens Closet website. Starting with the Orchid Dress, this is such a lovely option for the summer and because there are no darts or tricky fittings its a really quick easy project. It comes in 4 lengths from cropped to midi dress so you get plenty of options. There are so many beautiful versions on instagram if you need inspiration.

Next is the Luna Tank, this is a basic knit swing top. It looks lovely and breezy, perfect for when it gets really hot and all you want is comfortable clothing and an ice lolly. It's a super quick easy project and you could probably sew up a few in a day to have on rotation during the thick of summer.

Finally, last but certainly not least is the Tammy Handmade Etty Camisole. I think this top is just beautiful. For the most part this is just your very basic camisole top, but the standout feature is the beautiful scalloped neckline. What I really love about this pattern is the oppotunity for hacking. You can extend it into a slip dress or add a gathered skirt for a flared dress hack, or if you're feeling daring you can even turn it into a jumpsuit, I would love to see that!

And that's it! We've made it to the end! Of course there are so many more amazing free sewing patterns out there , this is just the tip of the iceberg. At some point I would love to make a more comprehensive list of free sewing pattens as the Making and Books blog post is incredible, but it hasn't been updated since 2020, which as crazy as it sounds was 5 years ago, that hurts my brain to think about, but i also know it is going to be no easy feat so this will take a little time. But, for now i hope this was helpful and you enjoyed listening to the latest episode. Thank you so much for being here.

You're the best,

Marie x