Last Week’s Survey Results:
You all are super helpful, thank you! A few weeks ago we asked what you did with your fabric scraps. Over half of you put them in a bin and ignore them like I do, but I was impressed by the suggestions made in the comments. I got some great ideas, and here are some of my favorites. Giving the small scraps to a daycare or kindergarten for crafts. Sorting them by colour and size into bins. Keeping the tiny scraps for stuffing. Donating your scrap bin to your quilting guild’s charity committee. Now I suppose that I can’t do all of those as some of them conflict with each other… but I really don’t like throwing something out that may be useful to someone else (or myself!)
As far as follow-up. I have (just barely) started a scrap basket for small skinny cuts of fabric. I figure these will be good for stuffing small things if I ever collect enough! I also think I might throw my thread ends in there – even though that might be crazy! They would be good for stuffing as well, and I am always surprised at the amount of thread I find in my garbage bin. (and on my floor!)
This Week’s Question:
This week I’ve finished tidying up the last few spaces in my sewing area, and have put all of my patterns into envelopes. This made me wonder how you get most of your patterns. I am always impressed by the patterns I’m seeing offered online, but haven’t bought many because I can’t justify the cost very often. I am a tad conflicted, because I would love to support the online community more. Simple patterns like Rae’s Geranium and Washi Dresses (+ the expansion pack!), Oliver and S’s Fairy Tale Dress and April Rhode’s Staple Dress have been on my list for just about forever. I buy few patterns at the fabric store anymore – they are too “proper” in their instructions and almost irritatingly complex. So… Please let me know by filling out the survey below, I’d love to hear some of your favorite patterns you’ve bought, and what is on your wish list as well! (Want your sewing project or blog featured on Sewing Survey Saturday? It’s easy! Find out how at the bottom of this post!)
This Week’s Survey:
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How to get your Sewing Project or Blog featured on Sewing Survey Saturday: Send an email to sherri@threadridinghood.com that includes your sewing related multiple choice question, your name and where you live (if you’d like it included). Please send your question with 3 to 5 multiple choice answers. Also send your blog information including which post you’d like me to link up to if you are featured! If you do not blog I would love to post a photo of one of your recent projects, so please send it along with your question. (Note: I may also feature a photo from your blog post (if applicable), if you do not want a linked photo please let me know in your email.)
I could have picked every option. But most of the patterns I have are from magazines like Burda. I’ve bought the toddler backpack from Made By Rae, combined it with your tutorial to add-a-pocket, and you know how that turned out! 😉 I also bought the sew fab bundle last summer. I’ve sewed the Ethan shirt twice, as you have seen (thanks for your reply on my last one!). And the Bimaa sweater is also a great and easy pattern in this bundle (I’m blogging about that soon!).
I’m following a course in pattern making, so I can draw my own patterns now. Its great to do, but it’s a lot of work. Now I understand the prices of digital patterns. About 8 USD isn’t much, if you know how much time the designer had to put in it.
So true Mirjam – I love the Sew Fab bundles. The Bimaa is amazing. It’s so true about the pattern prices, Making a pattern is a TON of work! And they are so well thought through. I’m finding most of the ones on my wish list upwards of $15 or so each, which is for some reason hard for me – I guess I am super cheap! 🙂
I consider myself a novice still and feel that the store bought patterns are easier for me. I have used online pdf patterns for items such as handbags and infant clothing but the thought of drafting a full size pattern for myself is daunting. I will say, though, that I find these online pdf patterns and tutorials are VERY easy to follow, especially when the author has included photographs as illustrations.
Brenda, thanks for commenting! 🙂 I think that it’s what you are used to reading. If you are using store bought all of the time then they make sense to you. I’ve gotten very used to the less formal text in a lot of the online tutorials and find the language in the store-bought ones more challenging because of it.
I do mostly quilt sewing so most of my patterns are from books. I especially love how book manufacturers are using the matte finish on the book covers. I’m a bit of a tactile geek. 🙂
I totally should have added books as an option – sorry about that Annette! I love proper finishes too… matte finishes look amazing… 🙂
I would say that most of the patterns I buy these days are from online sources combined wifh books, which I also buy online. It seems easier foe me to remsmber what I have that way. I do prefer the illustrations in commercial patterns to photos however.
Interesting Lisa. I do appreciate the illustrations too – you’re right. It is a lot easier to see what is happening than in a sometimes shadowy photo.