Sewing Resources: The best free patterns for a handmade wardrobe

It’s safe to say that when it comes to making your own clothes and building a handmade wardrobe there are a heap of options out there when it comes to patterns and what to make.

My sewing journey started back in 2020 when there were already plenty of Indie sewing companies out there. While there is a huge amount of patterns available from the big 4 in printed format, it is the development of PDF patterns that has really changed a lot in the sewing world.

Firstly, and I think most importantly, the Indie pattern companies cater to more of us and offer size ranges that are more in keeping with real bodies. If this hadn’t happened, I probably wouldn’t be sewing as I am often the top size, or sized out of the big 4 patterns. tut tut!

They also bring more variety and a deeper level of support and guidance with the instructions which is something that hugely helped me when I started sewing.

The other amazing thing about the Indie pattern designers is just how much they give back to us in the sewing community.

When you get started sewing your own clothes it can quickly become an obsession. It’s no secret that sewing is not a low cost hobby and so when you find amazing things for free it’s something to shout about.

Many of the Independent Pattern Designers have created free patterns which is a great place to get started . I have tried to compile as many as I can here. It would be wrong to assume that the free patterns are all very basic or not a good fit. While it is true that there are a lot of beginner options out there, there are great free patterns lurking around every corner. You just need to know where to look!

You’ll be able to quickly see these aren’t patterns just for beginners – there are some amazing styles here from pattern makers of all niches. So let’s get started on some of the best free sewing patterns available!

 

Free dress & Skirt patterns 

Dragor Dress and Top - Free pattern from How to Do Fashion

How to Do Fashion - Dragor Dress & Top

This really is an incredible free pattern. The pattern includes 2 different necklines, 2 different skirt styles and a few other options thrown in. 

Free Pattern - The Circle Skirt by Charm Patterns

Charm Patterns Circle Skirt

Who better to draft a classic vintage style circle skirt than Gertie! Not only is it a free pattern, but it comes in an inclusive size range 2-32!

Megan Nielsen Veronika Skirt Pattern - Free Skirt Pattern

Megan Nielsen Veronica Skirt

The Veronica Skirt is a free pattern from Megan Nielsen and is provided in both size ranges. You do need to subscribe to the newsletter to get the freebie, but that’s not such a hardship for a great pattern!

Paper Theory Pocket Skirt - Free sewing pattern via Peppermint Magazine

Paper Theory Pocket Skirt - Free sewing pattern

This pattern has become a bit of a cult classic I feel, and it’s free! Launched through Peppermint Magazine, Tara of Paper Theory really treated us with this one.

Ariana Midi Dress - Free Sewing Pattern

Ariana Midi Dress Free Sewing Pattern

I often find that the sewing mags patterns can be on the frumpy side, but now and again you find a gem and this is one of them!

Cora Dress Free Sewing Pattern by Fabrics-store

Cora Dress - Free Sewing pattern fro Fabrics-store

This is a great, size inclusive pattern in a style that will suit all shapes. It’s a great free pattern with layered files to make the print easier!

Free Tops, T-Shirt and Blouse/Shirt patterns

Closet Core Classic T-Shirt Pattern - Free T-Shirt Pattern

Closet Core - T-Shirt Pattern

This is Closet Core’s take on a classic tee and they’ve given it to us for free! It comes in sizes up to 32 and has 2 versions, plus a few optional extras!

Tessuti Fabrics Athina Top - Free Sewing Pattern

Tessuti Athina Top - Free pattern

The Athina is a great boxy style top and is a simple and quick project too. A great make for a beginner!

Tessuit Monroe Turtle Neck

Tessuti Monroe Turtleneck Sewing Pattern

The Monroe is another great simple and quick free pattern from Tessuti. It’s a real wardrobe staple!

Free Pattern by French Navy Now, The Paddington Top

Paddington Top - Free Pattern

The resources on Peppermint are phenomenal when it comes to free sewing patterns. This one is full of puff sleeved goodness and is designed by French Navy Now

Knit Tank - Free sewing pattern

Knit Tank by George and Ginger

George and Ginger make great knit patterns and so this fully size inclusive tank is a wardrobe staple for us all.

Free T-shirt sewing pattern by Friday Pattern Co

Friday Pattern co - Free Tshirt Sewing Pattern

The Sunday tee by Friday Pattern Co is a great stash buster pattern, perfect for colour blocking. It has a gender neutral shape/fit so it’s great for everyone!

Free Pants, Shorts and Jeans patterns

Free Shorts Pattern - Made for Mermaids Cora Pattern

Made for Mermaids Cora Culottes

The Cora PDF Pattern is a free pattern for super comfy knit fabrics. .

In the Folds Wide Leg Pants Sewing Pattern - Free pattern from Peppermint Magazine

In The Folds Wide Leg Pants - Free Sewing Pattern

Another free pattern that is a real favourite with a lot of sewists is the Wide Leg pants pattern from the Peppermint Magazine sewing school.

Calamint Jeans pattern - Free sewing pattern by Mood - free jeans sewing pattern

Calamint Jeans by Mood Sewciety

This is a classic jeans pattern with a high waist and straight legs. The kind of jeans that everyone should have!

 

Friday Pattern Company Sport shorts - free shorts sewing pattern

Friday Pattern Co Sports Shorts

The sports shorts is such a good pattern, it gets. arow all to itself. Its a great style that can be used to scrap bust, make pjs. aswell as the fabulous day shorts they are!

Free Jackets and Coats Sewing patterns

chanel style jacket sewing pattern

'Chanel Style' Jacket Free Sewing pattern

This pattern is from the upscale pattern company Marfy and is a true free pattern treat! Their free patterns are provided up to a bust size 122 so not the most inclusive – about the same as a Vogue pattern.

Paola Chore jacket free sewing pattern

Paola Workwear - Chore Jacket - Free Sewing Pattern

Hop onto the chore coat trend with this freebie from Fabrics-store. It has a great style and is a really well loved free jacket pattern

Clark Coat - Free Coat Sewing Pattern

The Clark Coat by Mood, Free Coat sewing pattern

This coat has everything going on! That collar and those sleeves are very on trend – and all in a free pattern download from Mood.

 

Free Sleepwear, lingerie and underwear patterns

Charm Patterns Free Pajama Pattern

Charm Patterns - Harlow Pyjamas

Another great pattern from Gertie at Charm Patterns. These 30’s style pjs are so chic and come in a cup sized format for size A-H !

Megan Nielsen Acacia Underwear Pattern

Megan Nielsen Acacia & Acacia Curve Underwear

Knickers, pants, panties… whatever you call these, these are free! The Megan Nielsen pattern is available in both the original and curve range. 

Free accessory patterns

The Costa Tote - Free Bag sewing pattern

Costa Tote Bag - Free Sewing Pattern by Helen's Closet

The Costa is a great every day tote, and a perfect way to start to dabble with your sewing machine.

5 out of 4 patterns - free laptop bag sewing pattern

5 out of 4 patterns Laptop Bag

Who wants a stylish me-made bag to carry your laptop in? 5 out of 4 patterns has this great free sewing pattern for you..

MORE FREE SEWING PATTERNS

We are lucky to have so many great free resources and from some great designers too. The links below will take you to many more free sewing resources.

Happy Sewing!

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