A Well-Loved Wardrobe: Sewing Patterns
McCall’s 3117 Tank made with FS BLACK Heavyweight Linen
Last week I shared a bit about my capsule wardrobe, or as I like to call it, my well-loved wardrobe. In response, you guys had a lot of questions about where to find sewing patterns similar to my linen tank and shorts. So, this week, I wanted to continue the conversation by sharing a few of my favorite places to purchase sewing patterns.
Now, you might be wondering, why would a professional fashion designer, pattern-maker, and seamstress need to purchase sewing patterns? To put it simply, to save time. I do my own pattern-work for the bags and aprons I make and sell under my lifestyle brand, A Well Worn Story, and I seriously enjoy it. If I had to create ALL of my own patterns for my personal wardrobe though? Honestly, I’d never get to it.
So, in my experience, even if you’re a great pattern-maker, purchasing from other fashion designers in the industry can help you save time, learn new techniques, and support other small businesses and makers. Through these sewing patterns and their Instagram hashtags, I have gained connections to people in the sewing community. Personal sewing projects keep my creativity flowing and my love for sewing alive.
Here are a few of favorite pattern-makers and sewing patterns:
Paper Theory Patterns – I made the Zadie Jumpsuit last year and it quickly became a closet staple. I practically live in it during the summer months. It also layers easily in the spring and fall when the mornings are chilly and days are still warm. The wide legs and surplice top make this pattern so comfy.
Wiksten – I just bought the child smock top + dress pattern to make a little dress for my baby niece to wear at her first birthday party. I might have to make something matching for her mom, my sister-in-law. I have also been eyeing the Haori Jacket for myself.
Anna Allen – The place to go for a great pants pattern. You can’t go wrong with the Pomona or Philippa pants (and the many variations you get with each)).
Fabrics-store – These patterns are specifically designed with linen in mind. Need I say more? I’m dreaming of the Gia Jumpsuit in Ginger. Anyone else love jumpsuits this much?
McCall’s 3117 Tank made with FS BLACK Heavyweight Linen
Vintage patterns – Last but certainly not least, I have a love for finding vintage patterns at thrift stores and estate sales. In fact, I have a growing collection, and this might still be my favorite way to sew my own garments. Recently, I found myself flipping through a wooden box full of patterns in my parent’s basement. I picked out a couple McCall’s patterns my mom had bought and made for herself in the 80s. A black linen tank (McCall’s 3117) and natural cotton canvas short (McCall’s 3602) are now my favorite summer outfit. I suggest searching for vintage patterns via Etsy or Ebay.
These are just a few of my personal favorites. I know there are so many more good ones out there. Do you have a favorite pattern-maker or specific sewing pattern? I would love to hear them.
Let’s make the comment section a resource – share your favorites below!
Happy sewing,
Morgann
About Author
Morgann McCoy
Morgann is the owner, designer, and seamstress behind A Well Worn Story, a sewing studio in southern Wisconsin creating handcrafted leather and canvas bags inspired by adventure.Leave a comment
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19 Comments
Amee Stewart
Hi,
I would be like to buy a copy of the 3117 pattern in a size 8. I’ve searched tirelessly for,this pattern to no avail.
I know some of you have this pattern, can you help me?
Thank you.
Bonye Newcomb
I’m hoping for some help here. How do you finish your seams on linen to have a nice finish? Need advice on straight seams and curved seams and intersecting seams like the crotch of pants. Any tutorials that anyone knows of on this? ANY advice would be appreciated. Thank you!
Lauren Gates
Hello! We have an article about seam finishes in our Help Center. Here is the link: https://support.fabrics-store.com/hc/en-us/articles/360060749692-7-ways-to-finish-your-seams-when-working-with-Linen
We also have this blog post about sewing curved hems : https://blog.fabrics-store.com/2018/02/27/sewing-glossary-how-to-hem-a-curved-edge/
Deirdre Lee
Correction to my last post, the websites are
http://www.belowthe.kowhai.nz and
http://www.papercutpatterns.com
Deirdre Lee
Paper cut Patterns and Below the K?whai both from New Zealand have lovely patterns. The Kochi kimono jacket and Axis dress from Papercut. Also Rata top and Pohutukawa dress – Below the K?whai both gorgeous. Well really all their patterns are lovely and I Just want them all, right now, all the time!!
Victoria Kruggel
Wow, this is an inspiring post!! I just purchased the Pomoma pants and can’t wait to try it (although I’ve never sewn from a PDF and I’ll have to figure that out!) Has anyone run across a great wrap dress pattern?
Aw, sewing…just love the possibilities…
Elissa Wright
Tessuti Fabrics (tessuti-shop.com) has very good downloadable and hard-copy patterns, with excellent instructions, and so does Itch to Stitch (itch-to-stitch.com). I like Fabrics-Store’s patterns (especially the free ones!) – all the ones I’ve used so far are well-drafted and the instructions and sew-alongs are helpful. Be careful of their seam allowances – they’re on the narrow side, especially for fabrics that ravel. The heavy weight linens are wonderful for pants and jackets. My favourite pants are made from the IL090 canvas. I really wish they’d bring back more colours in this weight!
Gabriela Bonomo
Thanks for the pattern recommendations. I will check out the other websites you shared. I am always looking for patterns to fit my 12yr old daughter. It seems not a very popular age among pattern makers.
As for myself and my partner, I have been loving Folkwear patterns (https://www.folkwear.com/). In their collection they have patterns for beginners and for those with more experience. All quite charming and pretty unique.
Morgann McCoy
I have never heard of them but will check it out! Thanks so much for sharing.
Sarah Morton
I believe in your last post you said the tank was made by your mother. I don’t know that I would have thought to use the heavyweight linen for a tank top. Do you have any thoughts on how the weight of the fabric affects the wearing of the garment?
I’m new to garment-making for myself, I really only sewed clothes when I was in college for costume construction, I am just starting to learn the nuances of fabric choice for my own wardrobe and have ordered a plethora of medium and lightweight linen, but haven’t been sure if I should order the heavyweight and what I might use it for.
Thanks!
Morgann McCoy
Yes, my mom made this linen tank for me from her McCall’s 3117 pattern and I made the McCall’s 3602 shorts in a lightweight canvas. We actually made them at the same time in my sewing studio 🙂
The black linen I used is actually more of a medium weight (might be a typo in there). You can find it here: https://fabrics-store.com/fabrics/linen-fabric-IL019-black-softened-middle
All types of linen are very durable, breathable, and will get softer with age, which is why I love it. In my experience, heavyweight linen is great for things like bags, upholstery, and drapery applications, anything you want to maintain its structure. It has a thicker yarn, so it is heavier in weight and more crisp. It is great for structured garments like jackets with collars, but is much harder to gather. Lightweight linen has a softer fluid drape, making it perfect for summer dresses and tanks.
Hope this helps! Happy sewing!
Sherry Berbit
hi Sarah – I love the drape and feel of the heavy weight linens. I’ve made jumpsuits and rompers, as well as several different styles of pants. I am also making an unlined coat, with heavyweight black and brown, and it will be fabulous in the fall. Morgann is right in that gathering the heavy weight is a chore, like for a waistband, but I have made the Olivia jumpsuit from untitled thoughts patterns, in 2 rompers and a full length one, all have an add on chanel for the self belt to go though and pull to cinch. it looks terrific on all 3. for pants I look for a simple style with darts such as the eve pant from merchant and mills. I switched to the middle weight for waist gathered pants, as that is not only easier but I find it is more flattering. hope this helps and I don’t think you’ll regret trying the heavy weight linen, I just love it.
Cathy Cole
Hi Morgan. I always enjoy your posts, and this was no exception.
I LOVE the tank top (in linen ?), so immediately began a search for McCalls 3117. Apparently they’ve used that number twice, as I keep seeing a child’s dress pattern with that number. Finally I found the tank pattern (same number!) but it was already sold. I’m curious if you’ve seen any other pattern (besides McCalls 3117), that you like? I particularly want the higher neckline.
Thanks for your inspiration!
Cathy Cole
Ilovelinen
Cathy Cole
Oh! I just found this 2017 blog post! I’ll give it a try!
https://blog.fabrics-store.com/2017/08/29/essential-linen-tank-tutorial/
Cathy
Morgann McCoy
Yes this will be beautiful and a similar cut! Thanks for sharing, Cathy!
Mary Munch
I love my Phoebe (the essential linen tank) in Montana Grape! The short tank top works well in IL019. No darts, so its really streamlined. I needed a full bust adjustment on a smaller size to get the shoulders and armholes right sized for a petite. Making it up in IL020 is next on my to do list. Highly recommend the pattern and thorough tutorial.
Morgann McCoy
This is so helpful. Thanks for sharing, Mary!
Morgann McCoy
Thank you so much for the kind words, Cathy! Good to know about the McCall’s pattern. Vintage patterns can be tricky to find for this reason, but I wanted to include them as an option since I still love using them.
The essential tank from Fabric-store will be a good option for a higher neckline and boxy cut. I used this black linen for mine: https://fabrics-store.com/fabrics/linen-fabric-IL019-black-softened-middle
Happy sewing!
Beth DeBusk
Fabric-Store has lots of nice Free patterns. I have used their Simple Linen T and Linen Tank. These all have women’s names like Chelsea which has raglan sleeves. A few more front/back standing up pictures would be helpful.