Date: 2/19/06 9:09 PM

I have had a few requests to make a compilation list for patterns and notions, as I had done for fabric sources. (People must think I do a lot of on-line shopping. They would be correct.)

I don't have this as complete as the fabric sources, so this will be more of a work-in-progress. This 1st post will have pattern company websites, and perhaps some notions links. I'll then do a second post (right underneath this one) with source information. You can often get the patterns from the manufacturer website, but they do not always have the best price (they typically don't want to undercut resellers).

Of course, the store reviews here on PR is another good spot to check for sources.

So, with that introduction here are some pattern companies and their websites (I'll alphabetize them eventually):

The larger companies:

Simplicity & New Look
Simplicity has all the basics, current trends, typically has a good selection of costumes, has the "Sewing for Dummies" line with extra instructions, and has been getting improved reviews for fit and drafting. I generally like their website.

McCall / Vogue / Butterick
Vogue tends to be more trendy, although the opinion I generally hear is that it is not as fashion-forward as previously. The fit tends to be closer than with some other lines. McCall and Butterick tend to have more basics and classics.

Burda (the new English version)
Burda patterns tend to be more fashion-forward and closer fitting than the large American companies. The pants crotch curve gets favorable comments from many people.

Kwik-Sew
Kwik-Sew is known for it's generally useful instructions. The Learn to Sew pattern gives particularly complete instructions. Kwik-Sew has lots of basics, plus a few not-so-basic items. They do tend to run on the larger size.

Neue Mode, and another Neue Mode
Neue Mode is another European pattern line. They no longer offer paper patterns. They are, however, available for down-load. Last I knew (haven't confirmed it w/ the download versions) they do not include seam allowances, which is either good or bad depending on your preference. They have a pretty large range of styles.



The smaller independent pattern lines:

Akasha

Alternatives Patterns (which take a base design and then vary it)

Birch Street and Folkwear - lots of ethnic and retro designs

Brown Paper Patterns: Basic wardrobe builders

Burda - see above

Butterick - see above

Christine Johnson Patterns (specializes in knits)

CNT Patterns

Cutting Line Designs

Dos De Tejas

Elizabeth Lee patterns for nursing mothers

Encore Designs

Fashion Sewing Group

Green Pepper Patterns: focus on outdoor clothing patterns

Hot Patterns

Indygo Junction: art to wear type patterns

Islander Sewing System

Jalie - in addition to skating outfits, they have basics and exercise wear

Kwik-Sew - see above

Lazy Girl Designs: craft type patterns

La Fred

LJ Designs

Loes Hinse

Lekala (or Leko): this is a russian pattern line with a large variety of styles

MacPhee Workshop: lots of coat patterns, plus many other styles

Marfy

McCall - see above

New Look - see above

Neue Mode - see above

Park Bench Patterns

Pattern by Coni: misses and plus-size patterns (from 34" to 66" bust)

Pavelka Designs: art-to-wear type patterns

Petite Plus Patterns

Purrfection Patterns: "artistic wearables". Check out the gallery for inspiration.

Saf-T-Pockets: with travel in mind

Schnittquelle: in German

Sewgrand: plus size patterns

Silhouette Patterns: have B, C, & D cup sizing

Simplicity - see above

Stretch and Sew: specialize in knits

Suitability: Equestrian patterns, English and western, riding and for gear

Textile Studio Patterns

Trudy Jansen Design

Unique Patterns: a subdivision of Butterick that creates patterns based on measurements you send in or have taken

Vogue - see above

Wild Ginger: pattern making software for home use


-- Edited on 9/2/08 11:02 AM --

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With a great wardrobe that's still in the flat-fabric stage.
Fabric = clothing (some assembly required) (from Re Becca's DH)

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Date: 2/19/06 9:11 PM

And for sources:

Of course, many of the pattern manufacturers now also sell their patterns directly. I haven't necessarily tried many of these stores; I don't actually do a lot of notion shopping on-line.


Primarily patterns:
Pattern Review:
Jalie, Burda, Textile Studio, Kwik-Sew, and Lazy Girl patterns. One advantage of this source is that using PR supports this site.
The Sewing Place:
Carries a large variety of independant pattern companies. Has Neue Mode and Kwik-Sew. Have heard consistently good service comments, although I think that they recently changed management. They also have lots of nice buttons.
SewingPatterns.com:
Carries many lines of patterns, from Akasha to Leko to Simplicity to Wild Ginger. I have heard mixed reviews on the service from this company. Haven't tried them myself.
Modern Sewing:
Has Leko (Lekala) patterns, a Russion line.
Fuzzy Lizzie:
Vintage patterns




Primarily notions:
Newark Dress Maker Supply. I've used this company a number of times.
JoAnns on-line version of the store
Nancy's Notions
Joggles buttons, ribbon, and other notions
MJ Trim buttons, purse handles, lace, ...
As Cute As a Button
Londa's Clover Notions
Home Sew
greenberg-hammer
SewForLess
Shoppers Rule -shows retail price & you submit your offer.


Zippers:
Zipper Stop
Zipper Pulls from The Sewing Place
Steinlauf and Stoller Inc
Sew True
Home Sew (Newark Dressmaker)
Zipper Source (Newark Dressmaker)

Also check the full-service fabric stores, such as Denver Fabrics' zipper page and Fabric.com's zipper page.




Primarily thread:
Silk Things In addition to silk thread, they have dyes and ribbons.


Buttons, from a post by sophiecat:
Button Emporium
bluemoonbuttons
buttondrawer
buttonshoppe
distinctivebuttons
buttonmad.com
buttonqueen.com
buttons NW
ascuteasabutton.com
ccartwright.com
jjhandworks.com
umei.com
worldlygoodsbuttons.com
perfectbuttons.com
shopangelico.com
buttons_etc.com (not responding)


Yes, this is a very incomplete list so far... feel free to add items to this thread.


-- Edited on 10/16/09 12:33 PM --

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With a great wardrobe that's still in the flat-fabric stage.
Fabric = clothing (some assembly required) (from Re Becca's DH)

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Date: 2/20/06 10:31 AM

Thanks Anne for the great list

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Date: 2/20/06 10:37 AM

Ottobre Children

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Date: 2/20/06 11:17 AM

Folkwear

There are a couple of sites that are clearinghouses for historical and fantasy pattern lines (ie, they sell the patterns as well):
Harper House
Amazon Dry Goods
Five Rivers Chapmanry
And some more that I can't recall offhand....

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mmmmm woooool

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Date: 2/20/06 12:16 PM

I haven't ordered from most of these, I just like to browse the patterns...

Sources:
The Sewing Place
SewingPatterns.com

More independent patterns:
CNT Pattern Company
Cutting Line Designs
Encore Designs
Great Copy Patterns
Lois Ericson's Design and Sew
MacPhee Workshop
Park Bench Pattern Company
Pavelka Design
Purrfection Artistic Wearables
Diane Ericson's Revisions
Saf-T-Pockets Patterns
Sewing Workshop

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2009 Yards in: 109 Patterns in: 20
2009 Yards out: 175 New patterns sewn: 21

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Date: 2/20/06 12:35 PM

I don't know about anyone else, but I love Neue Mode Patterns.
Don't like the fact that they do not include seam allowances, but I do love the designs and styles.

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Kathy

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Date: 2/20/06 1:26 PM

don't forget La Fred

i second the recommendation for The Sewing Place. they have great customer service and are speedy in sending stuff.

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Linda

The difference between style and fashion is quality.
-- Giorgio Armani


http://mamafitz.blogspot.com

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Date: 2/20/06 1:36 PM

Where's the list of fabric sources?

Ahuva

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"One must learn by doing the thing; for though you think you know it, you have no certainty, until you try."
Sophocles

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Date: 2/20/06 1:45 PM

For patterns for nursing moms, Elizabeth Lee Patterns is a great source. They aren't particularly trendy or fitted, but I use the patterns as a jumping off point.

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Julie
Logistics and Operations
The Wilson Zoo
My machines: Pfaff 6120 & 296 sewing machines, Pfaff 4752 Serger, Janome 1000CP Coverstitch

That's not a stash. I'm just waiting for my inmature clothing to grow up.

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