Simplicity #1196I was shopping around for some sewing patterns and wanted to buy them all… Here are just a few on my list to buy by Simplicity and Burda! Their website sells almost all the patterns they carry and it’s fun to browse around. Many are $12 or less!
Simplicity’s “Jiffy” line is great for simple, no-zipper or no-button, patterns! The wrap dress below looks easy and flattering. The “Learn to Sew” line seems failsafe, I own at least one of these patterns. Below is one for some cool pants! They also have a great line of patterns called “Amazing Fit” and many plus-sized patterns which I just discovered. They seem like more advanced patterns. I also love the designer label collaborations like Cynthia Rowley and Built by Wendy. A few of the latest Cynthia Rowley ones that I like are below. I don’t think they have the Built by Wendy ones anymore. Check out the Simplicity Amazon Store for a wealth of patterns by this quintessential publisher for Sewing Patterns.
Simplicity #1105 
Simplicity #1800
Simplicity #1607 
Simplicity #8086 
Simplicity #2061 
Simplicity #1356 
Simplicity #1100 
Simplicity #1355When choosing sewing patterns, make sure to read the back before purchasing! The back of each pattern will suggest the most suitable fabric types to use. It’s important to choose from among those! If it requires a fabric you don’t want to work with or one that doesn’t seem flattering to your figure then perhaps try a different one. The pattern will also state exactly how much fabric will be required for the size you choose! For my first sewing project, I once chose suit fabric to make a ruffle skirt. It came out weird! Hunting down just the right fabric type, pattern, color, price etc is a project in itself. Choosing the fabric is half the battle!
If you have a good fabric store (like Mood Fabrics here in NYC), you can simply bring the pattern and ask the store clerk to help you find the ones most suitable. They have most of their fabrics organized by type/fabric content. And a huge selection of really nice well-priced apparel fabrics! This is the store Tim Gunn (from Project Runway) featured on the show. It’s actually really good, not just hype!
I tend to like patterns that require stretchy knit fabrics, which can be difficult to work with… Both because they’re springy and can warp when sewing but also because they can require special machines like a serger (which not many people have). If you choose the fabric wisely, you can get away with a manageable fabric and not having a serger!