CHOOSING YOUR SEWING PATTERNS

Once you have decided that you want to sew and have purchased or borrowed a few things to get you started you need to decide what your first sewing project will be.  There are many easy sewing patterns available in fabric and craft stores, as well as online.  Sewing patterns range from very easy to extremely advanced.  Look for symbols on the sewing patterns you choose to be sure they are suited to your level of expertise.

Most major fabric and craft stores run monthly specials on sewing patterns so sign up for newsletters and watch newspaper ads.  Some sewing patterns can be purchased for less than one dollar and others only slightly higher when the promotions are running.

Other ways to get inexpensive sewing patterns are through garage sales, thrift stores, and borrowing from friends.  Garage sales and thrift stores often mark sewing patterns for ten - twenty-five cents, so be on the lookout for some you’d like to add to your growing collection. 

There are a few companies that make sewing patterns and some are more difficult than others.  You may need trial and error to see which sewing patterns you prefer.  Sewing patterns often come in multiple sizes today.  It’s always a good idea to trace your size off on something like freezer paper or tissue paper so that you don’t disturb the sizing lines, just in case you like the pattern a lot and decide to make more items.  Online stores such as EBay and Etsy also offer sewing patterns, although you may pay more for them there, as many are vintage and hard to find.  However, I have purchased some “lots”, meaning more than one pattern, for good deals in that manner.