Free Sewing Patterns

Update (October, 2017)

This article was posted about 12 months ago. Joost now has his new site (freesewing.org) up and running and is shutting down the MakeMyPattern site.

Not wanting to leave broken links on the page, I have edited out any links to the old site.

There are many improvements on the new site and I suggest you check it out. ~Richard.

Back to the article . . .

When my eldest son was about three years old, he wanted a pair of jeans. So I decided to make him a pair.

Now I’m not a tailor and don’t even know how to thread a sewing machine. But I took some measurements and, using the seams on my jeans as a guide, sketched out a pattern. With the help of my wife we made a pair of jeans.

My son was happy with his jeans and I was quietly proud of our efforts. (Though I can’t remember anyone asking for the name of his tailor.)

Of course that was back in the dark ages before the internet. I don’t think my grandchildren believe it, but there was life before the internet.

A review of Make My Pattern

If I wanted to make a pair of trousers now, I would go to Joost De Cock’s website makemypattern.com. (Now FreeSewing.org)

Make My Pattern is a free service. It has a range of designs for men and ladies. Once you enter your measurements it generates a pattern in your size.

Print your pattern, cut your material, stitch it together and you have a made-to-measure article of clothing.

But wait, there’s more .

There’s no need to despair if you’re not an expert tailor. Joost has provided plenty of help. The help section is very comprehensive and clear with illustrations and videos to guide you.

For example, the measurement section shows you where to measure, with clear illustrations so you know just where to place the tape measure.

There is however, a small trap if you’re in the habit of measuring in inches. I didn’t see it mentioned anywhere but you need to use metric measurements for the patterns.

Joost is working on moving Make My Pattern to a new site and making lots of improvements. You can read about his plans at freesewing.org, and sign up for his newsletter at this link so you will know when the new site is up and running.

I have no hesitation in recommending MakeMyPattern, but don’t take my word for it. Go and check it out for yourself.

Happy sewing

Richard.