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My cabinets are overflowing with sewing patterns, and I haven’t bought a new one in months. But I love making clothes, so why?
Well, I have a few reasons, and I’m not saying I’ve stopped buying them for good. However, I haven’t even used many of the ones I already have in my stash!
So if your collection is feeling a bit overwhelming, you might even relate to a few of these.
1. I have enough sewing patterns.
I’ve got hundreds of them. In fact, a few years ago, I went through and donated tons.
They were a mixture of uncut, cut, and used patterns. There was a bit of everything from dresses, tops, and pants, and I just didn’t want them anymore.
My size had changed. I adopted another style. I grew up and matured.
Then I collected more patterns to suit the new me, and ended up with hundreds again. I have enough to start my own little store, and don’t need more!
2. Sewing patterns are expensive.
Shall I say, they can be expensive? If you look at the retail price of commercial sewing patterns, they’re $15 to $30 or more.
Independent patterns can cost just as much. Plus, if you go digital, it’s another cost for printing and assembling.
That’s a lot of money for someone who’s trying to save. I’m not saying they’re not worth it.
Someone needs to design the garment, write the directions, and print the thing. People need to make money.
And I do want to support the sewing pattern industry!
But right now I can’t afford to buy them at retail price. So, I’ll have to wait for a sale or make do with the ones I have.
3. There aren’t any more good sales.
Speaking of sales, Joann Fabrics used to sell patterns at a big discount. I remember when they were 99 cents or $1.99. Then they went to $2.99.
I’d run down there during the pattern sales and buy up my limit of 10 each time. Hobby Lobby used to have sales like this too.
But Joann is gone, and Hobby Lobby doesn’t have these kinds of sales anymore. Those times are long gone, my friend.
Walmart does have patterns for around $5, and that’s not bad.
Simplicity.com might have sales, but I haven’t seen patterns fall below $3.99.
I used to buy New Look Patterns at $1.99, but now they’re priced at $5.99.
Well, and I’ve seen cheap AI sewing patterns online, but I don’t recommend them. I just don’t trust them.
4. I need to use the patterns in my stash.
What good are sewing patterns that just sit around collecting dust? I may have cut them to my size, but I haven’t touched them since.
When I bought them at 99 cents or $2, I didn’t care. I was more so collecting them based on ones I liked, whether I sewed them or not.
But I need to start using the patterns in my collection. And until I do that, there’s no reason to keep buying patterns that just sit there, right?
Otherwise they go out of style, and I lose motivation to even use them.
5. I can pattern hack the ones I have.
The good thing about getting better at sewing is learning to hack patterns. Now, I’m familiar with sewing many types of garments.
I can make a skirt out of a pants pattern. Sewing a crop top with a basic shirt pattern is easy.
I’ve learned to add design elements like ruffles, gathers, and flounces. Adding these elements can be a fun way to get creative!
6. There are many free sewing patterns.
When I get the urge to get a new sewing pattern, I go to Mood Fabrics. They have tons of free patterns.
Mind you, they’re digital, so you will have to print and assemble. But I don’t have to purchase anything.
And as I mentioned before, if I want to change up the pattern, I can hack it.
Let me add that I’ve come across a few free clothes patterns on Pinterest too. Usually you have to sign up for a newsletter, but a couple of them have been pretty decent.
Overall
My intent wasn’t to persuade you from spending your money on sewing patterns. But I’m going to see how long I can go without spending another dime on them.
If you were once like me and bought patterns for 99 cents back in the day, raise your hand! Have you stopped buying them too?
Read More
- I’ll give you tips on how to save money on sewing.
- Have you heard about Sewciable? I review the social app for the sewing community.
- I’ll tell you how I got my professional dress form on deep discount.
- Don’t you hate it when you finish a garment to find that something is wrong?
Originally published: August 27, 2026
