Free Plus Size Patterns (and my unpopular opinions on them)

[@ashleymainmakes]

So I found out there were issues with You.Make, formally Rebecca Page about a week after I published this video. As far as I could tell, the site was up and down for a bit, but now it is permanently closed. I added chapters to the video, so feel free to skip that section. It closed shop without any warning to customers, so this is a good reminder to always download your patterns and back them up. There is a really interesting article on what happened here: craftindustryalliance.org/rebecca-page-rebrands-then-quietly-shuts-down/?fbclid=IwAR1jzhgiwAx7Fz5lVKodt48yEZlhtQ5dvrLWn8_xjqm0AWpodgEW9iXo2Io

[@blufaerie]

Your fiancé modeling his apron was too cute!😂

[@ashleymainmakes]

Thank you! 🥰

[@prophetessoftroy]

I actually completely agree with your perspective--nothing free is ever truly free, and the ones that seem too good to be true usually are. There is a cost somewhere. And with the amount of work that goes into making a good pattern, I'm always a little suspicious of a free pattern. I also feel that people (especially artists and makers) deserve to be paid for their work. So while I may accept a free pattern as a trial, I would rather buy one on steep discount, even if I end up hating it.

[@ashleymainmakes]

Im glad! Yeah suspicious is good in my opinion. Some of the free patterns are a little too good to be true

[@MaireColclough]

Came for the unpopular opinions, stayed for the free patterns ;)

[@ashleymainmakes]

Im glad you came for the unpopular opinions! I figured everyone would just come for the free patterns 😝 thanks for watching!

[@deborahosorio553]

I really appreciate the inclusion of patterns for men. It is never easy to find things to make for the men in my life and these are very nice.

[@ashleymainmakes]

Im glad its helpful! These are some suprisingly nice ones

[@cvgsunset5844]

I 100% agree that quality patterns take a lot of work, time, and knowledge to produce and are ABSOLUTELY worth paying for- it makes me happy to see more people saying this. I understand that beginner sewists may not want to invest a lot in patterns up front, and even experienced sewists may not always be in a situation to pay for a new pattern (in that case, I think your advice at the end of the video is applicable), but when you’re in a position to do so, I think it’s 100% worth it to pay for a good quality pattern, especially when you can use it for several different versions/garments. I also think you’re spot on with your point about using the free patterns to “try out” a pattern company. 😊 Thank you for making this video, I think it’s a very helpful addition to the discussion of free patterns in the plus-size sewing space. 👏

[@ashleymainmakes]

Thank you so much! Yes I thought it was a discussion worth having because I have been getting this question a lot from beginners, and my fear is that they might give up on sewing altogether if they have too many bad experiences with some poorly drafted free patterns.

[@94BlueGirl]

You can also share patterns with sewing friends

[@MegInASheathDress]

I don't know how others feel about this but I try to avoid companies that use pattern testers without paying for their labor. Or "pay" them only with fabric. Helen's Closet has addressed this issue, so I will buy HC patterns. I've tended to stick with Big 4 for this reason and because I grew up sewing those. Great informative video!

[@gatsbygirl6311]

Thank you for mentioning the printing cost associated with "free" patterns. Those are often glossed over and it has become a sore point with me. This factor alone has kept me from using any of them. It was refreshing to hear you mention the cost of ink, paper, etc. right up front, thank you again!

[@ashleymainmakes]

You are so welcome! Yes I am always surprised when people are not concerned with the printing costs.

[@catfitz1530]

Absolutely agree with you about why you should pay for patterns. But, I still can't help wanting to grab free patterns. I like when companies provide a free pattern so you can test their patterns if you are curious.

[@ashleymainmakes]

Oh for sure! Thats why I highlighted a bunch. I think if you are using them with that spirit of testing out the company, it totally makes sense.

[@catfitz1530]

@@ashleymainmakes Thanks for a great list too. I've picked up a few patterns, and learned about a few 'new to me' companies to check out. Very helpful to see genuine reviews and recommendations for curvey and plus size sewists. Thanks for including the men's patterns too, I like to be able to see for my DH.

[@ashleymainmakes]

Im glad it was helpful! Which ones did you end up picking up?

[@amandaf3258]

Yes!!! If there’s two things I love it’s sewing and local libraries!

[@ashleymainmakes]

Yessss!!

[@beatriceotter8718]

Yes, absolutely, people should be paid for their labor, thank you!

[@greyhaircrafter]

Happy to find another curvy Canadian sewist

[@itcouldbeanyone]

I like to try a pattern out to take it for a test drive before investing in the paid products. I am always looking for the holy grail of patterns that work without having to duplicate the effort of making it work for me….

[@MeganGMakes]

I'm here for the opinions! Great video 👍

[@ashleymainmakes]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@lizmerritt8682]

I totally agree. People should be paid for their labor & knowledge. This “every thing should be free” culture totally devalues the time & skill needed to create whatever the thing is.

[@ashleymainmakes]

Yes, I think thats the major thing I have issue with is devaluing the labor involved.

[@SewingInTheMountains]

Would love to see you hack the new Charmed Academic patterns. I would love to see it broken down into a 2 piece ( I know the skirt already is but would love to see the bodice as a separate vest. Skirt with an elastic back and faux button closure

[@ashleymainmakes]

Im not going to lie, when I saw this pattern come out today I was thinking the same thing so... it might have to happen. I think I need some awesome brown suiting!

[@ReinaElizondo]

❤

[@RachelShadoan]

I am here for the unpopular opinions! Pattern making is a lot of work, I want people to continue to make patterns for plus size clothing, so I want to give them money so they are encouraged to continue to do that.

[@funnday814]

Hey Ashley, I love your channel already and just discovered you a couple of days ago! Have you ever tried a pattern from Peppermint Magazine? Thank you for your great advice. I look forward to seeing more videos!

[@ashleymainmakes]

Thank you! I havent tried them myself yet, but generally I have heard good things. I think they have gone to a "suggested" purchase model, but either way, I hadnt thought of them!

[@creepyed]

Oh shoot, I had wanted to download the You Make circle skirt. It looks I waited too long and the website is no longer functioning 😭

[@ashleymainmakes]

Noooo. I was planning on giving it a go too. That so sucks, of course after I make the video 🙄

[@creepyed]

@@ashleymainmakes I'm bummed too. I suppose it's not hugely difficult to draft your own six-paneled circle skirt, but it is nice if someone does it for you. Let me know if you ever feel like sharing the pattern 😊

[@creepyed]

​@@ashleymainmakes oh, I found out about it at the end of Sew a Capsule Wardrobe's latest video in case you purchased patterns from the brand and need help.

[@kckazcoll1]

thank you for this info, Ashley. I tried to get onto You Make patterns, but was blocked due to it being an insecure website. Did you encounter this when you first tried to get to it?

[@ashleymainmakes]

Hmm no I didnt. Maybe because it is like a membership like thing? Just a total guess. I wonder if you searched it on google or tried the pinterest page if you would still have the issue. Sometimes computers just don't like links I swear

[@kckazcoll1]

@@ashleymainmakes ahh OK I will do some searching. Thanks for your reply :)

[@ashleymainmakes]

Hmm so weird. I just checked and I could bring it up. I will post the link here and see if that works. youmakehq.com/

[@sueancell7655]

Was no impressed at the lecture... Different people have different financial means and you are wrong to call it out- it is the designers choice to release a free pattern...but i can see if the free pattern works well - you might be tempted to buy a pattern from that designer. You obviously have much more money than most ... empathy might be needed if you want to keep subscribers? Am disappointed in you.

[@ashleymainmakes]

I did highlight a bunch of free patterns that are put out by designers to be able to test their patterns. My main point was that it is important to have a good pattern when the printing, fabric, paper, and everything else costs money. Just because the pattern is free doesn't mean it is free to make. I have talked to a lot of people, including myself, who have spent a lot of money on projects that never materialize into garments because they have used a poor pattern and I would hate for people, especially beginners and people with limited budgets to fall into that trap.