Recent purchases | Pattern shopping on a budget | My favourite patterns

[@TheWillowtreeGreen]

So glad someone has said about alternatives to indie patterns, I started sewing this year and have felt a little under pressure to buy indie rather than big 4, totally putting unnecessary pressure on myself but I think it’s because all I see is people making and talking about indie patterns so this was reassuring thank you!

[@justletmesew]

They are so popular, it is tempting to jump on the bandwagon but they can also be expensive. Designers need to cover their costs and turn a profit but sometimes that's out of our budgets. Big 4 can be great too and you can find helpful reviews online to guide you through the trickier parts. Thanks for watching 😊

[@buzzi2k]

My MIL told me a story about the Big 4 pattern companies, that a truck driver she knew makes deliveries to one of the factories and was astonished to find out for much each pattern cost to buy (new). He said they print and cut out the pattern papers in these huge stacks. Different scales for smaller companies I'm sure, but i can't believe the range - some indie patterns are £11 and some £25?! Just can't justify that, even though they're the 'cool' thing. I'm a beginner dressmaker, so buying a few patterns has been helpful for learning, but ultimately i would like to learn basic pattern drafting so I can tweak them, or draft myself from a block.

[@justletmesew]

That's so interesting! Also the Big 4 patterns seem to be so much cheaper in the US, I'm very jealous of Joanne's 😄

[@cindywinkler4172]

Made for Mermaids is a wonderful US Indi pattern company, I love their patterns

[@justletmesew]

They seem very popular 👍

[@jennetthamilton971]

The top you have on is one I've wanted for some time. I live in Canada and am finding McCalls to be quite expensive. Earlier this week, the Simplicity pattern site from. USA popped up on my email, and that pattern is on sale. Even with the money exchange and shipping it's cheaper than at my local fabric store. I then noticed it's available as a PDF, not my favourite way to buy patterns, but so much cheaper. I still print at home and tape together, because it's just too expensive to have printed out. I do look through my pattern stash for similar patterns before buying new. I also buy vintage patterns at thrift stores, best prices.

[@justletmesew]

Patterns are expensive here in the UK too. I see vlogs about the Joanne's sales in the US when they're so cheap, they're very lucky. I use Pinterest to make a list of patterns I have my eye on for when there's a sale.

[@sewmytroublesaway]

Patterns for pirates is a good one, I think the designer is sister to the M4Ms designer. I have the M4M men's boxer shorts but haven't made it yet. P4P is great and well priced.

[@justletmesew]

Thanks for the tip. I've just made a M4M Venice Henley, not such a smooth process 😂 I've added details on my latest vlog x

[@theresashingler4345]

Thank you for sharing your plans and pattern ideas. I do the same picking patterns up on Ebay and making the patterns that I have work hard by tweaking details to get the look that I want. Of course there is the occasional new pattern that I can't resist, but it's much more manageable on my budget than if I bought everything that took my fancy.

[@justletmesew]

Ebay is good for a bargain, it can take time but it's quite fun 😄 charity/thrift shops can be good too.

[@ErinSews]

Wonderful video! Sewing can be very expensive, but doesn’t have to be. I really appreciated you sharing your favorite patterns and talking about how you’ve been able to make them what you want, or how you recreated looks from Indie companies. The price tag is what holds me back on a lot of Indie patterns. Plus printing (or having them printed) adds even more cost if the company doesn’t produce paper copies. I’m excited to see the jumpers for your children! It’s adorable that your son wanted you to make one for him 😊🤗

[@justletmesew]

Very true, the tempting fabrics and new patterns can all add up. It's rarely cheaper to make it yourself 😂 Thanks for watching, I'm really enjoying your vlogs x

[@murielbailiwick2978]

Kwik Sew - no longer produce dressmaking patterns. Craft stuff only. I agree with you re Indie patterns. Lots of similar patterns in the big 4 for a lot less money.

[@justletmesew]

Ah that explains why I haven't seen their patterns for a while 😆

[@dianecrews6130]

Thank you for sharing your gorgeous makes

[@justletmesew]

Thank you for watching 😊

[@marciahighsmith4820]

I have been thinking about the idea using my old patterns to sew clothes and I was wondering if everyone in England bought indie patterns as I think they are quite expensive. I have been adding some details I like to big four patterns. I live in the US and now Simplicity owns all of them and they go on sale for cheap.

[@justletmesew]

The big 4 patterns seem so cheap in the US, they're usually £12 here or half price in a sale. We don't all buy indie patterns but they are very popular.

[@TrustingUK]

So popping to that Lidl.....and IKEA of course. Thanks for the heads up.

[@justletmesew]

Go quickly, there were only a couple left! Ikea is compulsory, plus a slice of Daim cake 😂

[@nicolaarmstrong2865]

Another enjoyable and informative vlog. Thank you!

[@justletmesew]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you for watching 🌼

[@ZeldaSews]

Hi Tonya!😅

[@justletmesew]

Hi Zelda 😊

[@victoriaconstantine-cort3091]

xXXX👍👍👍

[@julialjungblad6490]

In what size and in what kind of fabric have you made your M 8240? I have so far made one (or more like a half...) M 8240 but it turned up way to big and the fabric was not working at all but I really want to make another try.

[@justletmesew]

Hi, I made a size M and the fabric was a medium weight jacquard jersey. What type of fabric did you use?

[@julialjungblad6490]

@@justletmesew Okay! Thank you for your answer. It looks good and the color really suits you.☺️I don't really remember but I think the fabric was to heavy and without enough stretch.