My Favorite Resources

A0 Printing

Pattern Printing Co.
My go-to shop for printing A0 (33″x47″) PDF patterns. They use a lighter paper that’s sturdy without the bulk of regular 20 lb. paper. They’re also the most affordable I’ve found in terms of cost per sheet and shipping. They do fold your prints to fit in an envelope, so if you’re picky about fold-lines or prefer to receive them rolled, I’d steer you toward PDF Plotting below. One thing to be aware of with this shop: they apparently close at random times and don’t accept orders for a few weeks. I don’t begrudge anyone a vacation, but it’s kind of a bummer when you go to order some prints and can’t.

PDF Plotting
I used this shop for my A0 prints before I dug around for cheaper options, and I really do love them. But they are more expensive. They have a regular 20 lb. paper option, or a more expensive newsprint option. They ship prints in a rolled container, so shipping is pretty pricey. But I have nothing bad to say about them outside of cost.

The Plotted Pattern
Another affordable option. They are a tad more expensive than Pattern Printing Co, and I only used them because I needed prints while Pattern Printing Co. was closed.

Books

Sew Me! Sewing Basics: Simple Techniques and Projects for First-Time Sewers
I have a love/hate relationship with this book. The bottom line is, this is where it started for me, and at the end of it, I had learned a ton. What I love: the project-by-project format that builds one skill on top of the other. I also loved most of the things you get to make with this book, that they were practical, adaptable, useful, and not baby/children’s items. What I hate: project walk-throughs really need to be way more detailed for first-time sewers. They skimp on photos and explanations, and in one instance she tells you to look for a 1″ grommet when it needs to say a 1/2″ grommet.

The Fitting Book
Ah, the endless challenge of fitting. This book is really insightful and helpful for fitting all kinds of garments by identifying trouble areas based on what the fabric is doing and offering several different solutions to fix it. I’ve not gone through the whole thing yet, but it’s a great reference to have on hand for when you run into trouble.

Tilly and the Buttons: Stretch!
Another project-driven book (those are my favorite kind) that will help you learn how to work with knits, make things you can wear, and adapt them to suit your style. Patterns are included.

The Fashion Designer’s Textile Directory
A pretty amazing reference for fabric. It goes into nice detail about the characteristics of different fabrics, how they’re constructed, their strengths and weaknesses and typical usage.

The Sewing Book: Over 300 Step-by-Step Techniques
An awesome reference for all kinds of techniques, both by-machine and by-hand. It describes the different techniques for accomplishing all kinds of different things with helpful step-by-step photos: darts/tucks/pleats/gathers, facings/necklines, collars, waistlines/belts/tie-backs, sleeves and sleeve finishes, pockets, hems and edges, fasteners and more. Even includes 10 projects to work through (no patterns; dimensions only.) It’s beginner-friendly too as it jumps off talking about tools and fabric and so forth.

Videos

Making Bias Tape
This chick is awesome at explaining how to make bias tape. I made a cheat sheet out of this video since I refer to it so often.

Joining Bias Ends
A quick and clear tutorial on how to neatly finish a bias binding edge. She shows it on a quilt, but this works for garments as well, such as with bias binding hems.

Websites

MadamSew.com
You can shop for supplies here including a handy universal presser foot set, but do note that they don’t always have the best price on things; for example, they had a bias tape maker set that was more expensive than the same thing you could get on Amazon. Also check out their blog for helpful tips and some fun tutorials/projects.

TillyAndTheButtons.com
They sell clothing patterns here and also have a helpful blog with tips and tricks. Most of her patterns aren’t really my style.

AllFreeSewing.com
Tons of free patterns to explore, print, and sew.

Sure Fit Designs Learning Center
Putting aside the videos here will transport you back to the early 90s, this site has a wealth of (freely-available) information for mastering the fit of your garments. There’s a video library and an article library, and both touch on all kinds of fit issues and pattern refinement. It’s not the easiest thing to navigate by far, but if you want to wander around, you’ll probably learn something.

Favorite Independent Pattern Designers

George and Ginger Pattern Company
Probably my absolute favorite designer. The style of these patterns feeds my soul. Clothes should be fun to wear, and I adore the unique and adventurous twists you can find all over these patterns! This is the kind of pattern designer I want to be when I grow up. I also love her pattern instructions. They’re concise, easy to follow, and the layout is easy on the eyes—no stupid, wacky fonts and ample negative space to let your eyes breathe and keep you from getting lost on the page. She uses illustrations rather than photos, which I personally prefer.

5 out of 4 Patterns
I own and have sewn a few patterns from this designer. The instructions are thorough, but the layout is mediocre. The style is pretty great, though. She incorporates a lot of eye-catching and flattering elements in her designs and some of my favorite things to wear are 5 out of 4 makes.

Patterns for Pirates
This designer has randomly become my go-to for bottoms. She has way more than that available in her shop though, but I haven’t been drawn to much outside of pants. Her patterns are usually loaded with options. Even though my graphic designer eyes cringe at her instruction layouts, logo, and aesthetics, the finished garments are quite nice.

Made for Mermaids
Another designer who incorporates some fun twists into her designs. I’ve only sewn a few things by this designer so far with mixed results. Pattern instructions aren’t my favorite. Design-wise they were mediocre, and it’s pretty easy to get lost in walls of text.

DIBY Club
The graphic designer in me adores the pattern instructions from this designer. Style-wise, I haven’t found a lot that I personally just had to have, but she makes good stuff if it’s up your alley!

Itch to Stitch
The PDFs from this designer are are incredibly thorough. Her style is more on the classic side and less adventurous. I think she has a good balance between knit and woven patterns, and they all look great.

Reference Links

Worksheets

  • Perfect Sizing Worksheet by Christine Johnson This worksheet can help you calculate the proper sizing to select when using a fabric outside the recommended stretch percentage on a particular pattern. It’s more helpful if that pattern includes a chart of finished garment measurements, which not all patterns do. Even lacking that, it can give you an idea of a reasonable starting point for a muslin.
  • Calculating Stretch I put together this 8.5×11 PDF for calculating stretch percentage. Includes a ruler, instructions, and percentages all in one.

For more references, check out my Sewing Pinterest Board.