Dressmaking patterns... where to get em!

lorem ipsum

Hi all,

Well with the recession an all I was thinking that I might return to my student days and start making my own clothes again. I did a pattern cutting course over 10 years ago but I have forgotten everything and since then many good fabric and dress making shops have closed down. Now heres my question, could anyone recommend good websites for buying clothing patterns? Also if possible fashionable and nice pattern for clothes you would actually want to wear!

Thanks in advance

Pythia

http://www.burdafashion.com/en/Patterns/Main_Collection/1270778-1128998.html

http://www.sewingworld.co.uk/Sewing_Patterns.html

http://www.simplicitynewlook.com/

Pinky Pixie

Yep I agree with Pythia, they are the best ones I came across too. The Burdafashion one is the best in my opinion I've made a few pieces from it.

dudara

Vogue / McCalls / Buttericks are all one company (based in America). If you sign up for their newsletter they frequently have special sales ($3.99 per pattern type thing, or BOGOF).

Vogue patterns are a bit towards the tough end though. Burda are probably the best if you are easing back into things.

Don't buy fabric in Ireland though, it's ridiculously expensive here. I was in London in November and bought tonnes for fabric for a pittance. I later saw the same fabric in Hickey's for 10 times the price! Here's a link to my blog post about it all.

lorem ipsum

Thanks for the links everyone... just gotta get the needle and thread out now!

Das Kitty

I mostly get patterns from Simplicity, they're cheap and the delivery is very quick.

I've done a few Burda and one or two Vogue patterns and neither were too difficult. I'm still quite new to this dressmaking lark.

I bought the Burda magazine last month, where you have to copy out the pattern pieces, haven't done it yet but a lot of the garments look nice.

For fabric I usually check out eBay, Etsy (mainly cotton) and Fabric.com (where you have to be careful not to get too much because of the import tax).

cotwold

Hickeys sell all the popular brands like butterwicks et al.

sallysaucer

Just in realtion to patterns etc....going about making my own wedding dress.... Where would you suggest to get good material in Ireland...dont want to travel to far!!!

dudara

I wouldn't recommend buying in Ireland. For the price of a cheap flight to London, you'll save a fortune in fabric prices.

DesignLady

If you can't get to London or Paris (although seriously the cost of the flight will be well saved on the fabric and you'll get better quality. BMI baby early flight to london- piccadilly line to soho and a few hours later you're on the way back, I do it all the time- shepherds bush for less pricier options too) then get some images you like and post them to stores over there (the silk society on Berwick Street in London would be my recommendation for great quality bridal silks, embellished and plain but it is expensive) and ask them to send swatches of similar fabrics they have. It's a bit more time consuming but most stores are helpful.

or try here. High quality and they'll send you out swatches too
http://www.james-hare.com


Sometimes swatches are free but on the more expensive and embellished fabrics there'll be a charge.