There is quite a lot more to choosing a pattern to sew from than just grabbing one that looks great in Hobbycraft! Some patterns just are easier to use than others and many are NOT beginner friendly at all despite probably having “easy” or “quick” in the title!

There are the “big” pattern companies like Vogue, Butterick, Kwik Sew etc. They have often been around for a very long time and may be proper and well respected but in my eyes a lot haven’t moved with the sewing community’s needs much if at all. `They often assume a knowledge a lot of us don’t have, their fit can be challenging as they are still using sizes and shaped we just don’t have any more, their instructions can be very unclear or downright wrong (bits missing etc) and they can be extremely frustrating to use. A lot are churned out each season and it appears they aren’t tested for errors so you can easily end up with something that is not even correct at all. I have used a few of these with students who wanted to make “just this simple storage basket” etc and even I have been left scratching my head not understanding what I was supposed to do next. Steer well away unless you KNOW it is great or you can do without the instructions because of experience. Then there are the indie pattern designers. Not aways but a lot of the time they take extreme care over each pattern that is released, the patterns and instructions are tested by sewists unaffiliated to the company, they use more inclusive and modern sizing, their instructions may include clear drawings, explanations, links to videos, in full colour booklets (rather than the scruffy b/w instructions on loose sheets the big companies prefer). They just have too much to lose to release a pattern that people will moan about online! And they are generally enthusiastic sexists themselves, and they have been where you are now. They want to make sewing fun and clear and not frustrating!

When you buy a sewing pattern online you will often have the choice to buy a paper version or a PDF. Some online shops will offer to print the PDF for you, others don’t. I nowadays prefer to buy a PDF, that way I can get it printed off more than once in case I want to make a garment for someone with a different size or in case the pattern gets ruined or lost somehow. Lots of printing companies will have a service where you email them the PDF and they print the pattern at A0, and often they can print the instructions in a nice booklet format too.

Before you buy any pattern, if you do not know the company and their fit (yes this can really differ from company to company, some are great at bigger sizes for example where others may not get it really…), it may be worth checking reviews online. You would be surprised how many people write details reviews of everything they make, with photos and suggestions etc! So if a few people say they don’t rate the pattern because it just doesn’t fit, don’t buy it! Here in the UK we have The Foldline which not only sells patterns but also allows for reviews, and does these cool lists of “best simple tops”, “great spring coats” etc. Super useful! And they allow you to search for patterns by just indie designers, sizing, etc. To top if off they have a printing service too. They aren’t the cheapest but it is a one stop shop.

Then it pays to pay attention to the fabric suggestions. Don’t want to spend ££ on linen? Don’t pick a pattern that specifically asks for linen. Don’t yet know how to handle jersey? Choose a pattern for woven fabric instead.

This is the back of a paper pattern envelope. It tells you all you need to know before you buy. such as what sizes are included, the style, how much fabric you need and what kind, and what haberdashery you need. It will usually have line drawings showing the style and options included in the pattern (such as different lengths, different sleeves, different necklines etc).